Halston Labels: History and How to Date Them

Last reviewed 2026-10-04 by the AntiqueCostume editorial team · Sources · How we research

Roy Halston Frowick (1932 to 1990) went from Bergdorf Goodman's hat department to the most famous American designer of the 1970s. The label alone separates his collectable 1970s work from the 1980s Halston III line for J.C. Penney and the many later Halston labels.

Company history

The Vintage Fashion Guild (VFG) records that Halston joined Bergdorf Goodman's millinery department in 1958; our 1960s hub notes he designed the pillbox hat Jacqueline Kennedy wore to the 1961 inauguration. He started Halston Ltd. in 1968 and became known for soft, body-conscious clothes in jersey, Ultrasuede, chiffon and beads. Our 1970s hub says the company was sold to Norton Simon in 1973 with Halston remaining designer (citing Wikipedia). In 1983 he signed a licensing deal with J.C. Penney for the cheaper Halston III line; upscale stores reacted badly, he eventually lost control of his name, and many items were made by others under the Halston III label. The house survived his death in 1990 under various designers.

Label timeline

Label or clue	Approximate dates	What it tells you
Bergdorf Goodman millinery	From 1958	His hat years
Halston (Halston Ltd.)	From 1968	The collectable period, above all the 1970s
Halston III	From 1983	1980s mass-market line for J.C. Penney, not couture
Later labels, such as Halston Heritage	After the 1970s and 1980s lines	Later licensed and revival production

What it helps date

Period Halston belongs to the 1970s; Ultrasuede is a 1970s fabric our hub links to him.
A Halston III label is 1980s department-store clothing: see J.C. Penney.
Check for licensing and later labels before pricing: designer label fakes.

Values

Our vintage dress values guide lists a vintage burnt-orange wrap halter dress at about $550 and later Halston Heritage mostly under $200 (Barnebys). The 1970s hub counts 14 Augusta lots from $187 to $1,562, median $312, and warns that marketplace "Halston" listings start at a few dollars because many are licensed or modern. Prices are estimates as of 2026.

check sold prices for halston vintage dress on eBay

Sources

Guides that mention Halston

1960s Vintage Clothing: How to Date and Value ItDate and value 1960s clothing: early-60s polish to mod and hippie looks, new synthetics, coil zippers, label laws, and 2026 price ranges.

1970s Vintage Clothing: How to Date and Value ItDate and value 1970s clothing: hippie, prairie, disco and designer-jeans looks, polyester and Qiana, care labels from 1972, and 2026 price ranges.

1980s Vintage Clothing: How to Date and Value ItDate and value 1980s clothing: power shoulders, aerobics, preppy and designer looks, labels and care tags, fakes and reissues, plus 2026 price ranges.

Vintage Dress Values: Prices by Era, Label and ConditionRealistic 2026 price ranges for vintage and antique dresses, Victorian to 1990s, by era and label, with auction results and what moves the price.

What Is My Vintage Dress Worth? A 5-Step MethodWork out what your vintage dress is worth in five steps: date it, check it is genuine, grade condition, find sold comparables and choose where to sell.

JCPenney Labels: History and How to Date ThemJ.C. Penney labels for dating clothing: the 1913 company name, Big Mac workwear, a 1960s Mary Quant line, and the Halston III line from 1983, with values.

How to Spot Fake Designer Labels on Vintage ClothingTell a genuine vintage designer piece from a counterfeit, licensed product or adaptation by checking the label, construction, fabric and history.

ACWA Union Labels: History and How to Date ThemDate men's suits, coats and shirts by the ACWA union label: the first label of 1916, the 1949 design with and without the registered mark, and ACTWU.