Why Vintage Is A Smart Investment And 5 Ways To Value Vintage
Can you actually make money from your vintage interest? The answer is yes and you should make money from it!
Vintage is not only a wonderful investment in your wardrobe where you increase the sentimental value that makes you cherish the garment and it can stay longer in your home and heart. Vintage is also an investment where you can make money directly or in the long term.
Imagine a garment that has the same visible quality today as when it was made over 20 years ago - that's vintage!
Vintage increases in value
Why is it that vintage is increasing in value while newly produced fashion is decrease? We all know that when you buy something newly produced, it loses drastically in value as soon as you cut off the price tag, then it loses even more in value as soon as the garment disappears from the store's range, and then there is only a slow decline in the garment's value the longer time passes.
In general, clothes and products were made with more care in the past than they do today. Unlike the fast fashion garment in the example above, your newfound vintage piece will be able to resell at the same price as you bought it and most likely the value will increase over time if you take good care of it.
The golden age of vintage
We are currently living in the perfect time to invest in vintage. This is the golden age of vintage as we are currently seeing a big boom and the demand for unique and sustainable fashion is only increasing.
The secondhand market looked completely different 15 years ago. Back then, it was almost only vintage that was sold in secondhand stores and buying secondhand was not something you flaunted about.
Today, the view of vintage has shifted 180 degrees, today we talk about vintage in terms of luxury, exclusivity, patina and sustainable fashion. Our time right now is a perfect symbiosis of the internet's access to fashion and style inspiration, individualism, niche curated vintage shops and the fact that fast fashion has completely taken over the secondhand market, which has made vintage an absolute rarity in the jungle of fast fashion on the secondhand market.
Vintage is becoming more and more a rarity. The demand for something unique is only increasing.
So how is vintage valued?
We've highlighted 5 things you need to keep an eye on when valuing your vintage find.
1. Age
A general rule is that vintage increases in value the older the garment is. The fashion industry and clothing production gets smaller and smaller the further back in time you look, there is simply more demand than supply of older garments.
2. Brand/desginer
Well-known brands provide a higher value just like in the regular fashion market. Vintage designer garments and accessories are often of extra high quality as they were often crafted in smaller studios in Paris, London etc. One thing you need to weigh in here though is timing. There are trends even in the popularity of well-known brands. As a designer or brand increases in popularity, its vintage pieces also increase in value. When a designer leaves a clear imprint on a brand, such as the Tom Ford era for Gucci or when a designer passes away, both are indications that your vintage piece will increase in value. You can take advantage of this knowledge by keeping track of trends, buying vintage from brands that are currently not as hot on the market and from older designers. The time will come when these particular pieces will increase in value and you can make real deals.
3. Material
Natural materials generally have a higher value than synthetic materials. Look out for wool, silk, cashmere, cotton, angora, mohair, genuine leather, etc.
4. Condition
What condition is the garment in? If a button is missing or if a thread is loose, the value drops. But don't despair(!) this could be your golden investment opportunity! With needle and thread, you can easily repair a garment to good vintage condition and resell it for much more than what you paid. By spending a little time repairing and caring for a vintage garment, the sentimental value of the garment also increases for you and maybe it stays with you a little longer as a nice investment in your own wardrobe.
5. Supply, Demand, and Trends
How sought after is your vintage find? How rare is it? Consumers also control the value of your vintage find. Vintage that follows today's trends has a higher value than what feels "out". Luckily, we live in a time where trends are more diverse than ever and you have a good chance of finding the perfect niche and target group that is willing to pay for your quirky vintage find.
Discover the treasure of vintage – an investment for both your style and the future
Vintage is more than just clothes – it's a smart investment, a chance to carry history and at the same time contribute to sustainable fashion. At Vintage Sphere, you'll find handpicked unique pieces that will not only elevate your style to new heights, but can also increase in value over time.
Give your wardrobe a sense of exclusivity and rarity. Explore vintage and invest in something timeless, sustainable and meaningful.
Your next vintage treasure awaits here.