Tanner of North Carolina was founded in 1931 as the Doncaster Collar and Shirt Company. Its founders were S.B. Tanner, Jr., and his wife Millie of Rutherfordton, NC. In 1935 the company began direct sales to consumers, through the Junior League of Charlotte. The concept caught on, and the business grew nationwide, with Millie as designer, and S.B. (known as BoBo) as the business director.
During the 1950s, Doncaster fashions were sold through direct sales and a second label, Tanner of North Carolina which was started in 1954, was sold through department stores and specialty shops. Dorothy Cox was hired as the designer about 1954. Before that, she was with McMullen.
Tanner and Doncaster closed in 2018.
Written by Contentmentfarmantiques
from an early-1960s dress
Courtesy of Hollie Point Vintage
from a 1960s dress
Courtesy of contentmentfarmantiques
from a 1970s shirt
Courtesy of chezmov
from a mid 2000s label
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
from a 1990s dress
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com
