We sort every find by decade, and people often ask how we know. Most of the time the garment tells you.
The 80s
Look at the shoulders first. Pads, wide lapels and long blazers are the easy tells. Prints are large and care labels are often a single line of text.
The 90s
The cut relaxes. Denim is rigid and high on the waist, shells are colour-blocked nylon, and slip dresses and flannel show up everywhere.
If it crinkles when you move and has three colours on it, it is probably from the 90s.
Y2K
Rises drop, fabrics get stretchy and sets start to match. Fleece, fringe, gingham knits and bucket hats belong here.
When we are not sure
We say so. A decade is our best reading of the cut, fabric and labels, not a certificate.