Contribution Guidelines
Help us build the most accurate vintage clothing database
Core Principles
Evidence-Based
All dating should be backed by evidence: copyright dates, catalog scans, RN numbers, or multiple corroborating examples.
Quality Photos
Clear, well-lit, high-resolution images are essential. Blurry or dark photos cannot be accurately verified.
Honesty About Uncertainty
It's better to give a broad date range than a wildly inaccurate specific date. Use the notes field to explain your reasoning.
Community First
Vote based on evidence, not ego. We're building this together—no one person has all the answers.
Photo Guidelines
Good Photos Include:
- • Clear focus with readable text
- • Even, natural lighting
- • Entire tag/identifier visible in frame
- • Neutral background (white or light gray ideal)
- • Multiple angles if details are on both sides
- • Close-up of any copyright dates or codes
Avoid These Issues:
- • Blurry or out-of-focus images
- • Harsh shadows or glare obscuring text
- • Tag partially cut off by frame edge
- • Busy backgrounds that distract from tag
- • Photos taken in dim lighting
- • Extreme angles that distort the tag
Dating Guidelines
Primary Evidence (Most Reliable)
Copyright Dates: © 1985 on a tag means it can't be older than 1985
RN Numbers: Registered numbers can be dated via FTC records
CA Numbers: Canadian registration numbers, similar to RN
Union Labels: ILGWU and other union tags changed over specific years
Country Tags: "Made in USA" vs "Made in China" can narrow date ranges
Secondary Evidence (Supportive)
Catalog Scans: Brand catalogs showing the specific tag
Multiple Examples: Several identical tags from dated garments
Logo Evolution: Known changes in brand logo design
Care Symbols: Care label symbology changed in specific years
Font Changes: Documented font/typography shifts
Be Cautious With:
- • Hearsay: "Someone on Instagram said..." isn't evidence
- • Assumptions: "This looks 80s" without supporting facts
- • Style-based dating: Trends overlapped and revival pieces exist
- • Single examples: One outlier doesn't prove a date range
Voting Guidelines
When to Upvote
- • The dating is supported by clear evidence in the photo (copyright date, RN number, etc.)
- • You have personal knowledge/examples confirming the date range
- • The submission includes supporting evidence (catalogs, care tags, etc.)
- • The date range is appropriately broad given the evidence
When to Downvote
- • The dating contradicts visible evidence (copyright date says 1995, submission says 1985)
- • You have documented proof the date is wrong (catalog scans, etc.)
- • The photo quality is too poor to verify the dating
- • The submission is clearly a modern reproduction
When NOT to Vote
- • You're not familiar with the brand or era
- • You're just guessing based on aesthetics
- • You have a conflict of interest (it's your submission)
- • You're voting based on the submitter, not the content
What NOT to Submit
- Modern reproductions or fast fashion: We catalog vintage, not contemporary
- Counterfeit items: No fake vintage or bootlegs
- Obscured or damaged tags: If it's illegible, it can't be verified
- Copyrighted material: Don't upload entire catalog pages you don't own
- Duplicate submissions: Check if the tag already exists in the database
- Personal information: Crop out any handwritten names, addresses, etc.
Respect and Community
ThreadDate is built on mutual respect and shared knowledge. We're all here to learn and contribute.
- • Be kind: Disagree respectfully, correct politely
- • Assume good intent: Most mistakes are honest errors, not malicious
- • Share knowledge: Explain your reasoning in notes
- • Welcome newcomers: Everyone starts somewhere
- • No gatekeeping: This information belongs to everyone