Quiksilver
Australian surf brand born in Torquay. The wave-and-mountain emblem and 'Made in USA' wording mark its early boardwear.
- Origin
- Australia
- Founded
- 1969
- Category
- Athletic & Streetwear
- Documented eras
- 4
How Quiksilver labels evolved over time. Match the markers below against the tag in hand to place a garment in its era.
1980–1989
Block-Lettering USA Tags
Bold block lettering, often in red, white or blue, material tags typically 'Made in USA', usually with a single large logo and the brand name prominent.
- Featured bold, block lettering often in red, white, or blue color schemes.
- Material tags typically included the “Made in USA” label, signifying domestic production.
- Often featured a single large logo with the brand name prominently displayed.
How to spot it
Bold block lettering with 'Made in USA'.
Value signal
Strong; 80s USA-made Quiksilver is a sought era.
1990–1999
Vibrant Offshore Tags
Vibrant colours and more graphic elements, varied materials and fuller care text, production shifting offshore to countries like India and Mexico.
- Tags from this era showed a mix of vibrant colors and began introducing more graphic elements.
- Materials used became more varied, and tags started to include more detailed care instructions.
- Production began to shift overseas, with tags indicating manufacturing in countries like India and Mexico.
How to spot it
Vibrant graphic tags with offshore make.
Value signal
Solid 90s vintage; value tracks the graphic.
2000–2009
Stylised Multilingual Tags
More refined stylised logos reflecting global growth, a mix of stitched and printed tags for size, care and origin, and multilingual labelling.
- Introduction of more refined and stylized logos on the tags, reflective of the brand’s growing global presence.
- Utilized a combination of stitched and printed tags to indicate size, care instructions, and origin.
- Began to feature multi-lingual tags, catering to an international market.
How to spot it
A stylised logo on a multilingual tag.
Value signal
Common; modest resale.
2010–2019
Minimalist Collab Tags
Modern minimalist designs with less colour, more sustainable materials, and collaboration or special-collection tags with unique logos.
- Modern and minimalist design with less emphasis on colorful presentation.
- Incorporated more sustainable materials and practices into the tag’s information.
- Tags often featured collaborations with designers or special collections, indicated by unique logos and tag styles.
How to spot it
A minimalist tag, sometimes collab-branded.
Value signal
Modern; priced on the piece.