Warehouse has long been a beloved fixture of the British high street, known for its contemporary yet accessible fashion offerings. Since its founding in 1976 as the Warehouse Utility Clothing Company, the brand has continually evolved to meet the changing tastes of fashion-conscious consumers. Initially opening its doors on London’s Duke Street, Warehouse quickly established itself as a go-to destination for modern, stylish women’s clothing. Over the decades, Warehouse not only expanded its physical presence but also made significant strides in the fashion world, introducing catalogs in the mid-1980s and launching its first international store in Singapore by the end of the 20th century.

The brand’s journey through the fashion industry has been marked by several notable changes, especially in ownership and management. In the early 2000s, Warehouse was brought under the umbrella of the Aurora Fashions Group, alongside other popular brands like Oasis and Coast. This period saw Warehouse thrive as part of a larger fashion conglomerate, even as the industry faced increasing challenges from the rise of e-commerce and fast fashion. However, the 2010s proved tumultuous for Warehouse and its sister brands, culminating in their acquisition by online retail giant Boohoo in 2020 after the company fell into administration. This shift marked a new chapter for Warehouse, as it transitioned from a high street staple to a brand primarily focused on digital retail.

Despite these changes, Warehouse’s legacy in British fashion endures. The brand’s ability to stay relevant over the decades is a testament to its strong design ethos and adaptability. Whether in its early days as a pioneer of modern women’s clothing or its recent reinvention under Boohoo, Warehouse has remained a key player in the fashion industry. This rich history, reflected in its evolving logo and tags, offers valuable clues for vintage enthusiasts looking to date their Warehouse pieces.

How to tell if Warehouse is vintage from the logo

Warehouse, a well-known British fashion brand, has been a staple on the high street since the 1970s. Over the decades, the brand has evolved its logo to reflect changing fashion trends and brand identity. The logo is a key indicator when trying to determine the vintage nature of a Warehouse item. Here, we will look at the Warehouse logo used from the 1980s to the present day to help you identify if your Warehouse piece is vintage.

1980s to now Warehouse logo

• The Warehouse logo from the 1980s to now features a clean, modern font that aligns with the brand’s minimalist and contemporary aesthetic.
• The font is bold, with evenly spaced letters that give the logo a balanced and straightforward appearance.
• This logo has remained consistent over the years, which makes it challenging to pinpoint specific decades within this time frame. However, the overall design reflects a timeless style that has endured from the 1980s to the current era.
• Due to its consistent use, this logo is not the most reliable tool for dating Warehouse items to a specific vintage period but is a strong indicator of the brand’s enduring style.

1980s to now Warehouse logo

How to tell if Warehouse is vintage from the tags

Warehouse is a brand that has evolved significantly over the decades, and its clothing tags provide key insights into the era of the garments. From the simplistic and bold designs of the earlier years to the more refined and modern layouts in recent times, the tags reflect the brand’s journey through fashion history. Below is a breakdown of the tag designs from the 1980s to the 2010s, which can help you identify the vintage status of your Warehouse pieces.

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1980s vintage Warehouse tags

• Tags often featured bold, serif-style lettering that was straightforward and easy to read.
• Usually placed on a simple, rectangular fabric tag with minimal additional details.
• Some tags may have a box outline around the brand name, enhancing its visual presence.

1980s Warehouse tags

1990s vintage Warehouse tags

• The font remained bold but started to shift towards a slightly more modern sans-serif style.
• Tags were still primarily rectangular, with some variations in fabric and texture.
• The brand name was often centered on the tag, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic.

1990s Warehouse tags

2000s vintage Warehouse tags

• Introduction of darker colors and more refined tag designs, with smoother edges and stitching.
• The font used became more contemporary, often with a subtle sheen to the text.
• Tags often included additional information such as size, either on the main tag or on a secondary smaller tag.

2000s Warehouse tags

2010s vintage Warehouse tags

• Tags became more varied, with different shapes and sizes reflecting the brand’s modern appeal.
• Introduction of new sub-brands or lines like “Spotlight by Warehouse,” with distinct tags featuring these names.
• Use of high-quality materials for the tags, often with a focus on durability and a sleek finish.

2010s Warehouse tags