A Guide to the Value of Your Vintage Wardrobe
Welcome to the fascinating world of vintage fashion! Whether you’re a collector, an enthusiast or simply curious, making an Appraisal of your vintage wardrobe can be as exciting as it is rewarding. In this article, we’ll show you how to get the most out of your vintage fashion treasures.
WHAT IS VINTAGE CLOTHING?
A vintage garment is a fashion item that dates back to a bygone era, usually more than 20 years, and reflects the style, trends and quality of that specific period. These garments are sought after for their uniqueness, rarity, and aesthetic or historical value.
The main characteristics of vintage clothing are as follows:
Age: In general, a garment is considered vintage if it is between 20 and 100 years old. Pieces older than this may fall into the “antique” category.
Iconic style: Vintage garments often embody distinctive styles or silhouettes of their era (60s trapeze dresses, 80s leather jackets, etc.).
Quality and craftsmanship: Many vintage garments are handmade or made using high-quality materials and techniques, ensuring that they will endure the test of time.
Historic brands and designers: Vintage clothing often includes pieces by renowned brands whose prestige and influence have left their mark on fashion history.
1. Why an Appraisal of your Vintage wardrobe?
Yes, vintage clothing has been all the rage in recent years. So it’s only natural to ask questions.
“Am I in possession of a wardrobe or clothes that have value even if they’ve already been worn?”
The answer is usually NO. At least not enough to interest the auction world.
Even so, this article wouldn’t make sense if we stopped there.
Today, there’s a real second-hand market.
Some clothes sell for thousands of euros.
But where to sell these clothes?
How and where to sell your vintage parts?
If you want to sell your wardrobe of vintage pieces, you have several options:
Vintage Boutiques and Depots: Many stores specializing in vintage fashion collaborate with private individuals to display their pieces in their boutiques, often with a commission on the sale.
Online platforms: Platforms like eBay, Vinted or Vestiaire Collective are convenient ways to sell vintage fashion pieces. However, be sure to describe every detail to attract the right buyers.
Auction houses: For pieces of a certain value, auction houses like ours can be an excellent option. They attract serious collectors and can offer increased visibility.
2. What kind of clothes and brands are sold at auction?
Do you know how many clothing brands there are worldwide?
Appraisal estimates range from 50,000 to 100,000 brands.
Only a tiny proportion of garments are auctioned: There are around 200 to 300 brands, such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Margiela…which have either heritage value as an archive for the Couture Houses, or a “second market” value for a growing public.
What are the main criteria for Appraisal of a wardrobe by an auction house?
The valuation of vintage clothing is based on several essential criteria that directly influence its value:
- The brand and the designer: creations by renowned couturiers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel or Jean-Paul Gaultier often have a higher intrinsic value. Clothes by lesser-known designers can also be valuable if they have left their mark on their era, or if they are of remarkable quality.
Rarity: Pieces from a defunct brand or from a limited collection often have a higher value. For example, a Dior dress from the 60s can be worth thousands of euros because of its rarity.
Condition: Overall condition is paramount. Vintage garments in excellent condition, with no stains or tears, are obviously more prized. However, pieces that have been restored or altered can also be worth a great deal if the work has been well done.
Era and Style: garments reflecting the iconic styles of a particular period – such as 60s trapeze dresses or 90s oversized jackets – are often sought-after.
How do you go about carrying out an Appraisal of your wardrobe?
Calling in a vintage fashion expert is often recommended for an accurate Appraisal. Experts have in-depth knowledge of fashion trends, brands and history. Here’s how an appraisal usually works:
Photo examination: yes, it’s possible, in order to validate the outlines. This initial photographic examination eliminates most of the proposed garments.
Visual and tactile: There’s no substitute for an expert analysis of the piece in situ, from several angles, checking fabric quality, seams and details.
Identifying labels and brands: Labels can provide crucial information about the period of creation. For example, a brand’s logo can reveal the era of manufacture and the specific lines of each designer.
Current Popularity Assessment: Market trends influence the value of vintage clothing. An expert knows which pieces are currently popular and can therefore better Appraisal the value of a given piece.
10 REASONS TO AUCTION Your wardrobe by an auctioneer?
There are several interesting advantages to selling vintage clothing by auction, especially for rare or valuable pieces. Here’s why auctioning can be an excellent option:
Visibility and access to specialized buyers: Auction houses often attract serious collectors, fashion experts and vintage enthusiasts. This allows you to present your pieces to a discerning public, ready to invest in unique, high-quality items.
Expert appraisal: Before being put up for sale, vintage garments are generally appraised by fashion experts who estimate their market value. This guarantees a price in line with the market, maximizing your chances of making a lucrative sale.
Competitive bidding: The auction format allows for competition between buyers, which can drive up prices, especially for iconic, rare or designer pieces.
Context of trust and transparency: Auction houses often have a good reputation and offer a secure framework for transactions. Buyers know they are acquiring authentic items, and sellers benefit from a supervised process.
Effective promotional approach: Auction houses promote auctions through catalogs, marketing campaigns, and sometimes even events. This maximizes the visibility of your pieces and attracts an international audience.
A market for high-value pieces: For designer items or rare garments, auctions are often more appropriate than traditional sales platforms. Auction buyers are more willing to invest significant amounts for iconic pieces.
Fast sales: Unlike other sales methods, auctions take place on specific dates, so you can sell quickly. Results are immediate, and you don’t have to wait months to find a buyer.
Authentication and documentation: Auction houses often offer authentication services, assuring buyers that vintage items are vintage and authentic, thus increasing trust and perceived value.
Enhancing fashion heritage: An auction enhances the value of vintage clothing as a cultural and historical heritage, and each piece tells a story that can be brought to light in this prestigious setting.
International reach: Online auctions and international sales enable you to reach buyers from all over the world, which can greatly expand your market and attract higher bids.
Auctions are therefore an excellent way to promote vintage clothing and reach a passionate clientele, ready to acquire unique pieces with a story behind them.
What to do with the clothes in the event of inheritance?
You may have to sell all the assets in the event of an inheritance. Until recently, clothes were rarely taken into account, but now some wardrobes can be of financial interest.
- It ‘s best to ask an expert to make an Appraisal of the wardrobe, so that the heirs can divide it up fairly.
- Resale by auction then the security of sharing in complete transparency.
WHY TRUST PENELOPE'S WITH YOUR VINTAGE CLOTHING?
A 24-HOUR APPRAISAL OF YOUR VINTAGE WARDROBE
We can appraise your garments on the basis of a photo, a rendering or a video.
This initial overview will set the tone.
We will arrange a meeting with you at our premises, or come to you.
The inventory of parts is carried out free of charge if we consider that the “file” may end up in an auction.
We determine market values, with one Appraisal known as low and another known as high. You can also decide on a reserve price (price at which we cannot preset the garment).
Together we agree on a sales timetable, the sales strategy to maximize your price, and together we determine our selling costs in the sales mandate.
In this respect, no fee is payable by you if the garments do not find a buyer.
You remain the owner of the garments until the sale is completed.
