When we walk into a shop that sells vintage or antique items, it’s pretty evident that these items are priced higher than those found at thrift stores. After sourcing vintage items, the determination of the price is the next step.
There are actually quite a few factors that determine the value of a vintage item, but we can break them down into categories like craftsmanship, branding, rarity, age and the market demand.
Finding the value of a vintage item is like a scavenger hunt. We examine the item with our eyes, but also do a digital hunt to compare other listings. Looking at sites like Etsy and eBay can help us get an item for what a certain item typically goes for.
Vintage clothing items that are usually 1960s and back will all be in a similar higher price range because of the rarity and age of the item. The craftsmanship of older items are also usually significantly higher-quality than items we see now, or even forty years ago. Because we don’t see items like that much anymore, the value is pretty high.
The Pyrex brand, for example, has become a big vintage collectors item and the value has increased with the market demand over the past couple of years. Pyrex is a notable brand, so the value of this item can fall into the branding category, as well as craftsmanship and market demand.
Of course, when we look at designer items, like the sought after vintage Coach bags, the value of those items fall into a lot of those categories. The prices will be even higher if an item can be authenticated, ensuring consumers that this is the real deal.
Tops from the 1990s and early 2000s have had an increase in market demand as trends shifted in the past few years. Although there has been an increase in market demand, pricing tends to be lower than older items. Age and rarity seems to beat out categories like market demand in terms of value. We know that tops made in the early 2000s are not as high-quality as a top from the 1950s. The 2000s tops are easier to find at places like thrift stores or garage sales compared to a well-crafted 1950s top.
Open up that box of your grandma’s clothes! There may be something valuable hiding in there.
Written by Macy Berendsen