The appeal of American vintage bandanas and how to identify them.
query_builder
2021/07/22
editorial
Vintage American bandanas are a staple item that you'll find in any thrift store.
In recent years, with the popularity of European vintage clothing, European bandanas have become more common, but my personal favorite is still the American one.
American vintage bandanas come in countless patterns and colors, so when I come across a new one I can't help but buy it.
At first glance, bandanas all look the same. Some can be bought for a few hundred yen, while others cost anywhere from a few thousand yen to over 10,000 yen, so some people may find it difficult to tell them apart.
This time, we will introduce American vintage bandanas, which are a staple item at ARZACH Kamakura (we have about 150 in stock as of November 5th, 2021! Please see this page ).
I hope that this will be useful as a way to tell the age of an item and how to choose an item.
US bandanas from the 1940s and 1950s
In recent years, with the popularity of European vintage clothing, European bandanas have become more common, but my personal favorite is still the American one.
American vintage bandanas come in countless patterns and colors, so when I come across a new one I can't help but buy it.
At first glance, bandanas all look the same. Some can be bought for a few hundred yen, while others cost anywhere from a few thousand yen to over 10,000 yen, so some people may find it difficult to tell them apart.
This time, we will introduce American vintage bandanas, which are a staple item at ARZACH Kamakura (we have about 150 in stock as of November 5th, 2021! Please see this page ).
I hope that this will be useful as a way to tell the age of an item and how to choose an item.
US bandanas from the 1940s and 1950s
A distinctive feature of bandanas manufactured in the 1940s and 1950s is that many of them have the words "WPL (Wool Products Labeling Act)" written on the edge.
WPL is a number that was issued to businesses that manufactured and sold products subject to the Woolen Fabrics Act in the United States between 1941 and 1959. WPL numbers range from 00101 to 04086.
Bandanas marked WPL are rare items that are currently rising in price.
Since 1959, the WPL has been replaced by the "RN (Registered Number)" notation. RNs start with 13670.
1960's US Bandana
WPL is a number that was issued to businesses that manufactured and sold products subject to the Woolen Fabrics Act in the United States between 1941 and 1959. WPL numbers range from 00101 to 04086.
Bandanas marked WPL are rare items that are currently rising in price.
Since 1959, the WPL has been replaced by the "RN (Registered Number)" notation. RNs start with 13670.
1960's US Bandana
The biggest feature of American bandanas from the 1960s and 1970s is
- 100% cotton
-One of the ends of the bandana is selvedge (with ears)
It is to be.
On the edge of the bandana, you can see the words "ALL COTTON" and "100% COTTON," indicating that it is 100% cotton.
Selvedge is made from the edge of the fabric. If you can see that there is no seam on one side, it is a one-ear model.
1970's US bandana
- 100% cotton
-One of the ends of the bandana is selvedge (with ears)
It is to be.
On the edge of the bandana, you can see the words "ALL COTTON" and "100% COTTON," indicating that it is 100% cotton.
Selvedge is made from the edge of the fabric. If you can see that there is no seam on one side, it is a one-ear model.
1970's US bandana
A characteristic that began around the 1970s was that, in addition to the "ALL COTTON" label, as in the 1960s, the words "MADE IN USA" or "MADE IN AMERICA" began to be included.
In addition to classic colors such as red and navy, a variety of colors such as pink and orange will be available, and two-tone models will also be available.
1980's US Bandana
In addition to classic colors such as red and navy, a variety of colors such as pink and orange will be available, and two-tone models will also be available.
1980's US Bandana
In the 1980s, a star-shaped mark was added to the edge of the bandana and the words "USA" were added there.
This mark is the logo of an organization called "Crafted with Pride in the USA Council" that was established in 1984, and was used in a campaign to encourage apparel products to be produced in the U.S. This mark stopped being used in the early 1990s, so bandanas with star marks can be determined to be from after 1984, when the organization was established, to the early 1990s.
There are also single-ear models from this era, but it seems that there are more and more models without selvedge.
How to identify the manufacturer or brand
American bandanas can be identified by the manufacturer by the number following "WPL (Wool Products Labeling Act)" or "RN (Registered Number)".
If you look at the edge of the bandana, you will see numbers like RN13960 and RN13962. These numbers are unique to each manufacturer, and they allow you to identify the manufacturer.
Among the RN companies, the most famous are "Davis and Cattlerall", known for its Elephant brand (RN13980), and "Paris Accessories" (commonly known as Paris) (RN13960).
Once you know the manufacturer's numbers and get used to seeing lots of bandanas, you'll be able to quickly find the one you want even among a pile of dozens or even hundreds of bandanas.
RN13980: Elephant brand, famous for its vintage bandanas
This mark is the logo of an organization called "Crafted with Pride in the USA Council" that was established in 1984, and was used in a campaign to encourage apparel products to be produced in the U.S. This mark stopped being used in the early 1990s, so bandanas with star marks can be determined to be from after 1984, when the organization was established, to the early 1990s.
There are also single-ear models from this era, but it seems that there are more and more models without selvedge.
How to identify the manufacturer or brand
American bandanas can be identified by the manufacturer by the number following "WPL (Wool Products Labeling Act)" or "RN (Registered Number)".
If you look at the edge of the bandana, you will see numbers like RN13960 and RN13962. These numbers are unique to each manufacturer, and they allow you to identify the manufacturer.
Among the RN companies, the most famous are "Davis and Cattlerall", known for its Elephant brand (RN13980), and "Paris Accessories" (commonly known as Paris) (RN13960).
Once you know the manufacturer's numbers and get used to seeing lots of bandanas, you'll be able to quickly find the one you want even among a pile of dozens or even hundreds of bandanas.
RN13980: Elephant brand, famous for its vintage bandanas
Do you have a vintage bandana with an elephant print?
This is a popular brand in the vintage market that has acquired a trademark under the name "Elephant Brand" and was manufactured by Davis and Cattlerall, the company mentioned earlier (RN13980).
Elephant Brand is a long-established brand that manufactured bandanas based on the East Coast of the United States from around 1910 until the 1980s.
If the elephant's trunk is pointing down, it is from before 1960, and if it is pointing up, it is from after 1960.
This brand was once widely seen, but in recent years there have been fewer and fewer units available, and prices have skyrocketed.
This is a popular brand in the vintage market that has acquired a trademark under the name "Elephant Brand" and was manufactured by Davis and Cattlerall, the company mentioned earlier (RN13980).
Elephant Brand is a long-established brand that manufactured bandanas based on the East Coast of the United States from around 1910 until the 1980s.
If the elephant's trunk is pointing down, it is from before 1960, and if it is pointing up, it is from after 1960.
This brand was once widely seen, but in recent years there have been fewer and fewer units available, and prices have skyrocketed.
"Lower trunk" elephants manufactured before 1960 have trunks pointing downward.
RN13960: Paris Bandanas, which have many variations based on the classic "Cookie" design.
Vintage bandanas come in many patterns, including paisley and geometric designs, but the most popular is the "cookie" pattern.
Manufactured by Paris Accessories (RN13960), there are other patterns such as lightning and clover patterns in addition to cookies. It is said that there are more than 20 color variations for cookies alone.
Vintage bandanas come in many patterns, including paisley and geometric designs, but the most popular is the "cookie" pattern.
Manufactured by Paris Accessories (RN13960), there are other patterns such as lightning and clover patterns in addition to cookies. It is said that there are more than 20 color variations for cookies alone.
Cookie pattern
Clover pattern
Lightning Pattern
WPL9939: Victor Handal & Bros Inc. is known for its Tiger logo
Victor Handal & Bros Inc., with the WPL notation, is marked by a tiger on the edge of the bandana. Due to its age, the number of these items is small and they are rare.
RN13961: TUSIDE is a brand with many beautiful patterns.
RN13961: TUSIDE is a brand with many beautiful patterns.
RN13961 is from the brand TUSIDE. They have many cute and lovely patterns, and apparently have many collectors.
Euro bandanas have been gaining attention in recent years
Have you ever come across a bandana that says "100% BAUMWOLLE" instead of 100% COTTON?
100% BAUMWOLLE means 100% cotton in German, and is a notation that is often seen on European-made bandanas called Eurobandanas.
100% BAUMWOLLE means 100% cotton in German, and is a notation that is often seen on European-made bandanas called Eurobandanas.
Many of them have polka dot patterns or motifs of flowers and plants. Also, it is interesting that there are many more colorful and flashy ones compared to American bandanas.
With the popularity of European vintage items in recent years, it has become difficult to find these in good condition.
Bandanas are fun to collect and very useful.
Bandanas are fun to collect, but they are also very versatile: you can wear them every day as a handkerchief, show them off in your pants pocket, or tie them around your neck.
Vintage bandanas are highly recommended for those who want to be particular about even their accessories.
With the popularity of European vintage items in recent years, it has become difficult to find these in good condition.
Bandanas are fun to collect and very useful.
Bandanas are fun to collect, but they are also very versatile: you can wear them every day as a handkerchief, show them off in your pants pocket, or tie them around your neck.
Vintage bandanas are highly recommended for those who want to be particular about even their accessories.
Come to Arzak Kamakura to find a one-of-a-kind bandana.
ARZACH KAMAKURA is a select shop located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. In addition to selected brand items, we also carry vintage items. Our physical store is located about a 10-minute walk from Kamakura Station, so you can easily visit us from within Kamakura city as well as Yokohama.
If you live far away, you can also order from our online store. We can ship not only within Japan, but also overseas. Please feel free to use our service.
ARZACH KAMAKURA is a select shop located in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. In addition to selected brand items, we also carry vintage items. Our physical store is located about a 10-minute walk from Kamakura Station, so you can easily visit us from within Kamakura city as well as Yokohama.
If you live far away, you can also order from our online store. We can ship not only within Japan, but also overseas. Please feel free to use our service.
