YKK Zippers: History and How to Date Them
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YKK is the Japanese zipper maker that grew to lead the world market by the 1980s. On an American-made garment a YKK zipper most likely means 1960 or later, when YKK opened its first US office, while its concealed zipper dates from 1958.
Company history
Wikipedia and our date by zippers guide record that Tadao Yoshida founded the business in Tokyo in January 1934. It registered the YKK trademark in January 1946, bought an American chain machine in 1950 to automate production, and in 1958 introduced its Conceal brand with hidden teeth. Its first overseas production began in New Zealand in 1959, and its first US office opened in 1960. In 1966 it introduced the YZip for jeans. The company took the name YKK Corporation in 1994.
Label timeline
| Label or clue | Approximate dates | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| YKK trademark | From 1946 | No YKK-marked zipper is earlier |
| Conceal (hidden-teeth) zippers | From 1958 | A concealed zipper is not proof of the 1970s |
| YKK on an American-made garment | Most likely 1960 or later | After the US office opened |
| YZip jeans zipper | From 1966 | Later denim |
What it helps date
- Our 1970s and 1980s hubs note YKK pulls became common as it grew to lead the industry.
- On Japanese-made goods a YKK zipper can be earlier than 1960: date by zippers, vintage label lookup.
Sources
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Guides that mention YKK
- 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.
- How to Date Vintage Clothing by the ZipperUse zipper type, placement, brand and material to date vintage clothing: metal Talon zippers, side-seam closures, the 1960 nylon coil, and concealed zips.
- Vintage Label Lookup: Date Clothing by Label, RN and Union TagFree printable vintage label dating cheat sheet with union label versions, RN and WPL numbers, care and fiber law dates, ZIP codes and zipper clues.
Related
- How to Date Vintage Clothing by the ZipperUse zipper type, placement, brand and material to date vintage clothing: metal Talon zippers, side-seam closures, the 1960 nylon coil, and concealed zips.
- Vintage Label Lookup: Date Clothing by Label, RN and Union TagFree printable vintage label dating cheat sheet with union label versions, RN and WPL numbers, care and fiber law dates, ZIP codes and zipper clues.
- 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.
- Adrian Labels: History and How to Date ThemAdrian Original and Adrian Custom labels explained: Gilbert Adrian's move from MGM costume design to his own Beverly Hills house, and suit values.