Vintage Clothing
Ok, to be honest, I have been dreaming of summer since last October. For me, going into January means the countdown is on until summer. Anyone who seriously knows me, knows as soon as the snow melts, the flip-flops or sandals come out. I just prefer summer for obvious reasons; sun, warmth, outdoors, and the vibrant colours that come with clothing.
Years ago, I was introduced by a co-worker to “second-hand” clothing, as the non-profit organization we worked for had a store, which operated by donations. I had never shopped in a thrift store except to buy costumes for Halloween. This was all foreign to me. Well let’s say by the end of the week, I had a running tab, a volunteer personal shopper, and the non-profit was getting my wages back! I was hooked. Also, what I loved most about this store is that it recycles clothing that can not be resold. It keeps products out of our landfills, which is amazing!
What I also learned is that there were regular shoppers who came in almost daily to purchase specific clothing. These individuals then turned around and sold them for a living (remember, all foreign to me at the time…yes, I lived a sheltered life). So what makes clothing vintage and sought after?
Vintage clothing began and has been part of the world since World War I. During the war, there was a textile shortage, so this begins the idea of reusing clothing. Then sub-cultural groups like rockabilly and swing dancing influenced the increased interest in vintage clothing. Vintage clothing is a generic term for garments originating from a previous era and refers to all old styles of clothing. The vintage item is at least 20 years old. In North America, due to the changes in clothing sizes, vintage clothing sizes are often smaller than today’s sizing. What might be labeled in the 1970s as a Medium (M) might be like today’s scale as an Extra-Small (XS). People were of smaller statures and obesity was uncommon. Today, there are numerous locations to purchase vintage clothing from local boutiques to thrift stores, online stores through Etsy to eBay, and even garage sales to auctions. Having a piece of vintage clothing in your closet has become such a must.
But what pieces of vintage clothing carry a high price tag? Many of the vintage clothes that do not go out of style or are fads, will tend to have a higher price tag depending on their condition, size, and area. The more popular an item is, and if it is rare, this can drive the price up as well. The following are 9 of the most valuable items of vintage clothing according to Rose Heichelbech, writer of “Dusty Old Thing”:
9) Mid-Century Day Dresses ~ Many of them did not survive and became hard to find. A simple day dress from the 1940s to - 50s can cost $75-$150 or more.
8) Cowboy Hats ~ If the hat is intact with a band and is free of sweat stains, they can sell anywhere around $50-$150.
7) Lucite Handbags ~ Depending on the condition of these bags and how fragile the bag is, these handbags can often sell for $50-$100 but can also go as high as $300.
6) Jazz Era Beaded Dresses ~ If the dress is a designer dress of this style and age it could be worth thousands! But if the labels are missing or of lesser-known beaded dresses from the period, the dresses can get hundreds of dollars depending on the size and condition.
5) Leather Shoes ~ Leather shoes in good condition and depending on the shoe size are great sellers. Because people historically from back in the day were smaller, so were the shoe sizes, which sometimes can be an issue. Prices have a wide range but are always in demand.
4) Silk Shawls ~ Although they are hard to find in good condition, due to being fragile, Victorian shawls usually sell for $50-$100 or more each. There is such detail in the embroidery and craftsmanship that went into each stitch. Piano shawls are exceedingly rare. Shawls in smaller sizes or from later time periods can sell for much less.
3) Mod 1960s Dresses ~ These dresses can sell between $20-$100 and can go for much more if they are rare or of a designer brand.
2) Bohemian Chic ~ These items are clothing from the late ‘60s and early ‘70s which can be easily put into today’s trend for boho-chic looks. Prices are all over the place but will sell very quickly in today’s market.
1) Vintage Denim ~ Denim never seems to go out of style. All eras from the 1940s to the 1980s seem to be in style and demand right now. Ranging from jeans, jackets, skirts, shirts, and dresses are all in demand. Unique pieces or rare designs will get the highest dollar amount. However, damaged denim can still for a high price. Levi’s still holds value, especially if the article of clothing is pre-’80s. The big-ticket items are mid-century Levi’s. A 1950’s 507XX jacket was sold online for over $1000.
So maybe do not be so quick to donate old pieces of clothing, especially items from our great-grandparent’s era! You could gain to your wardrobe a great piece of vintage clothing or line your pocket with some extra spending money.