The Pattern Identification System
Simple Couture designs are identified by a number rather than by a name; the numbering system is intended to make it easy to identify some of the characteristics of the design. The first number in the sequence identifies the category of the design:
1: women’s pullovers
2: women’s cardigans and vests
3: women’s jackets and coats
4: accessories, including hats, scarves and shawls
5: infants’ and children’s garments and accessories
6: menswear
This first number is followed by a period and a second set of digits. The second set of digits represents the design number and is followed by another period. The next digit identifies the size. If the design has no size, there will be no digit after those identifying the design. In the accessories category, where designs may be grouped together around a common design theme, the digits that otherwise identify the design are used to identify the grouping and the size digit is used to identify the particular item within the group. When a design is offered in several lengths in the same pattern, the different lengths are indicated by a lowercase letter following the size digit.
Thus:
2.01.2 is a cardigan, design 01 in the series of cardigans and vests, and the second size.
1.02.1b is a pullover, design 02 in the series of pullovers, the first size, and the longer length.
4.01.2 is from a grouping of accessories, design group 01 in the series of accessories, and the second garment or item in the grouping.