Carhartt is a renowned American apparel brand known for its durable workwear and outerwear garments. Since its establishment in 1889, Carhartt has built a reputation for producing high-quality products that cater to the needs of hardworking individuals. One significant aspect of Carhartt’s garments that often sparks interest among collectors, historians, and enthusiasts is the brand’s tags.
Throughout the years, Carhartt has utilized various tags on their apparel pieces, and these tags can provide valuable insight into a particular garment’s production era, authenticity, and history. By examining Carhartt tags, one can gain a better understanding of the evolution of the brand and its products. Let’s explore the different Carhartt tags by year and what they represent.
1889-1956: The Early Years
During its initial years, Carhartt did not incorporate specific tags into their garments. Instead, they focused on sewing the company name, “Hamilton Carhartt, Detroit, Mich.,” directly onto the apparel pieces. These early garments were constructed with quality materials to withstand the demands of labor-intensive jobs.
1957-1960s: Initial Utilization of Tags
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Carhartt introduced tags into their garments, which facilitated easy identification and brand recognition. These tags often featured an image of a square with rounded corners and a depiction of a hammer, an emblem that symbolizes Carhartt’s commitment to workwear. The tags also included the words “Carhartt Work Clothes.”
1970s-1990s: The Yellow and Orange Era
One of the most recognizable Carhartt tag designs emerged during the 1970s and dominated the brand’s garments until the 1990s. This tag featured a bright yellow or orange background with black text, prominently displaying the iconic Carhartt logo and the words “Carhartt Workwear.”
Internationally, Carhartt adopted a similar tag design but replaced the word “Workwear” with “Work Wear.” These yellow and orange tags became synonymous with the brand and are still highly sought after by collectors today.
2000s-Present: Modernizing the Design
In the early 2000s, Carhartt introduced a fresh and simplified tag design. The brand opted for a black background with white text, featuring the iconic Carhartt logo, the words “Carhartt,” and a depiction of a pair of scissors cutting fabric. This design aimed to represent the brand’s commitment to quality craftsmanship.
In recent years, Carhartt has also introduced limited-edition tags to commemorate special collaborations or brand milestones. These unique tags feature different color schemes, designs, or slogans, making them highly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Collecting and Identifying Carhartt Tags
The evolution of Carhartt tags provides an interesting glimpse into the brand’s rich history and the changing fashion trends over the years. Collectors and enthusiasts often analyze the tags’ characteristics, such as font styles, logo variations, color schemes, and tag placement, to determine a garment’s age and authenticity.
It is important to note that Carhartt tags alone should not be the sole determining factor for the garment’s age, as tags can be switched or removed. Careful evaluation of other aspects, such as the construction techniques, materials, and the overall design of the garment, is crucial for accurate identification.
In conclusion, Carhartt tags by year showcase the continuous evolution of this iconic brand. From the early days of directly sewn labels to the introduction of tags in the late 1950s, followed by the well-known yellow and orange tags of the 1970s to 1990s, and the modern black and white design of the 2000s onwards, Carhartt tags have become an integral part of the brand’s identity. Collecting and analyzing these tags not only provides valuable historical insights but also allows enthusiasts to appreciate the craftsmanship and durability that Carhartt has been synonymous with for over a century.