You’re staring at that tiny, scratchy white tag stitched into the side seam of your favorite hoodie. It’s got a bunch of laundry symbols that look like ancient hieroglyphics and then those two specific strings of numbers: RN 62136 and CA 20625. Most people just ignore them or snip the tag off because it’s itchy. But if you’ve ever wondered why your clothes fit a certain way, or why that "luxury" shirt feels exactly like the one you bought at a big-box retailer for twenty bucks, these numbers are the secret handshake of the fashion world.
Honestly, they aren't random. They are identification codes. One is American. One is Canadian. Together, they tell you exactly who is responsible for putting that garment into your hands. If you’re trying to track down a discontinued jacket or you’re a vintage reseller trying to prove a piece is authentic, these digits are basically your DNA results for fabric.
What is RN 62136 and Why Does It Matter?
Let's talk about the RN first. RN stands for Registered Identification Number. It’s a system managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States. Since the 1950s, the FTC has assigned these to businesses residing in the U.S. that are engaged in the manufacturing, importing, or selling of textile, wool, or fur products. It’s a legal requirement.
When you see RN 62136, you aren't looking at a style number or a batch code. You are looking at the fingerprint for Abercrombie & Fitch.
Wait, really? Yeah. That specific number belongs to the Abercrombie & Fitch family of brands. This includes the namesake stores, Abercrombie Kids, and Gilly Hicks. Back in the day, before they rebranded and became the "cool-minimalist" go-to, that number was on every polo shirt and popped collar in the mall. Even as the brand evolved from its 19th-century safari roots to its current high-street aesthetic, the RN remained the same. It’s their legal identifier.
Why do they use a number instead of just printing the name? Space. Labels are small. Law requires the manufacturer’s name or their RN to be present. Brands usually opt for the RN because it’s cleaner for the design and works across international borders where brand names might change but the corporate entity stays the same.
The Canadian Connection: CA 20625
Now, what about the other half of the equation? If you see CA 20625 right next to the RN, it means the item was also cleared for sale in the Canadian market. The "CA" stands for the Identification Number issued by the Competition Bureau of Canada under the Textile Labelling Act.
Just like the RN in the States, CA numbers are unique to the dealer. In this case, CA 20625 is also registered to Abercrombie & Fitch (Canada) Ltd.
It’s interesting because you’ll rarely see one without the other on modern clothing sold in North America. Brands find it way cheaper to print one "universal" tag that satisfies both U.S. and Canadian federal laws than to have different production lines for Toronto and New York. If you find a vintage piece that only has an RN number, there’s a good chance it was originally intended for U.S.-only distribution. If it has both, it’s part of a broader North American retail strategy.
Why Should You Actually Care About These Numbers?
You might be thinking, "Cool, it's Abercrombie. So what?"
Actually, knowing how to use RN 62136 CA 20625 is a superpower for three specific types of people.
1. The Savvy Thrift Hunter
If you’re digging through a bin at a thrift store and you find a high-quality flannel with the main neck label ripped out, look for the side seam tag. If you see those numbers, you know instantly it’s an Abercrombie piece. This helps you determine the value. Is it a $5 "no-name" shirt or a $60 retail piece? The RN tells the truth when the branding is missing.
2. The Resale Professional
On platforms like Poshmark, Depop, or eBay, buyers are skeptical. They want to know they aren't buying a knockoff. By photographing the tag showing RN 62136 CA 20625, you are providing "hard proof" of the manufacturer. While numbers can be faked, most counterfeiters don't bother getting the boring legal tags right; they focus on the flashy logo.
3. The "I Lost My Favorite Shirt" Person
We've all been there. You have a pair of jeans that fits perfectly, but they’re five years old and the pockets are blowing out. You go to the store, and everything has changed. If you search the RN number along with specific descriptors (like "flannel" or "high-rise skinny"), you can often find the exact production era or even the specific factory-run info on secondary markets. It narrows the needle in the haystack.
Is This the Same as a Style Number?
No. This is where people get tripped up.
Think of it this way:
The RN is the Parent.
The Style Number is the Child.
The RN 62136 tells you the company is Abercrombie. It doesn't tell you if the shirt is blue, red, a size small, or made in 2022. For that, you need the SKU or style number, which is usually found on a much smaller, separate tag behind the main RN tag. Usually, it’s a string of about 6 to 9 digits. If you’re calling customer service because a seam ripped, they don't want the RN. They already know who they are. They want that style number.
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The Ethical and Quality Angle
There's a deeper layer here. In an era where fast fashion is under a microscope, these numbers provide a trail of accountability. If there’s a massive recall due to a lead-paint issue in a zipper or a flammable fabric, the FTC uses the RN to hold the company responsible.
When you see RN 62136, you're seeing a company that has to play by the rules of the U.S. Textile Act. This involves strict requirements about fiber content. If the tag says 100% Cotton, it better be 100% Cotton. If a company with an RN number lies about that, they face massive fines. It’s a layer of consumer protection that we usually take for granted.
How to Verify Any Other RN Number
Maybe you have a tag that doesn't say 62136. Maybe it's something else. You can actually look these up yourself in about ten seconds.
The FTC maintains a public database called the "RN Lookup Service." You just type in the five or six digits, and it spits out the legal name of the company, their headquarters address, and even the type of business they are. It’s a fun rabbit hole. You’ll find out that many "luxury" brands are actually owned by giant holding companies you’ve never heard of. You’ll see that some celebrity clothing lines are just rebranded versions of much cheaper wholesale manufacturers.
Spotting Modern vs. Vintage via Labels
If you're looking at a garment with RN 62136 CA 20625, the font and material of the tag can tell you a lot about when it was made.
Older tags from the early 2000s were often papery and stiff. They tended to fray at the edges. Modern Abercrombie tags (post-2018) are usually a softer, silkier synthetic material or even printed directly onto the fabric (tagless).
Also, look at the "Made In" section. While the RN stays the same because the corporate office is in Ohio, the manufacturing location shifts. In the 90s, you saw a lot of "Made in Macau" or "Made in Hong Kong." Nowadays, you’re more likely to see Vietnam, India, or Guatemala on an RN 62136 garment.
Actionable Steps for Your Wardrobe
Next time you’re cleaning out your closet or shopping second-hand, don't just look at the size. Use the info on those labels to be a smarter consumer.
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- Check for Authenticity: If someone is selling a "vintage designer" shirt but the RN traces back to a fast-fashion giant, walk away.
- Identify Your Favorites: If a specific brand’s cut always fits your shoulders perfectly, write down their RN. Even if they change their branding or sub-brand names, the RN often stays consistent across their different lines.
- Laundry Care: Those numbers are usually right next to the care instructions. If you see RN 62136, remember that Abercrombie clothes are often pre-shrunk, but they still prefer cold water and low heat to keep that specific "soft-wash" feel they are known for.
- Research the Source: Use the FTC RN database to see where your clothes really come from. It’s an eye-opening way to understand the global supply chain.
At the end of the day, RN 62136 CA 20625 is just a bit of legal fine print. But for those who know how to read it, it's a map to the quality, history, and origin of what you're wearing. Stop cutting your tags off until you've at least given them a quick look; you might be surprised what you find out about your own closet.