Market Data 2025
Vintage Clothing Price Guide
Current price ranges from auction results, dealer sales, and marketplace data. Updated quarterly.
Price Ranges by Era
| Era | Period | Entry ($) | Mid-Range ($) | Premium ($) | Exceptional ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victorian | 1837–1901 | 150–400 | 400–2,500 | 2,500–8,000 | 8,000+ |
| Edwardian | 1901–1910 | 100–350 | 350–2,000 | 2,000–6,000 | 6,000+ |
| 1910s | 1910–1919 | 80–250 | 250–1,500 | 1,500–5,000 | 5,000+ |
| 1920s | 1920–1929 | 100–400 | 400–3,000 | 3,000–12,000 | 12,000+ |
| 1930s | 1930–1939 | 80–300 | 300–2,000 | 2,000–8,000 | 8,000+ |
| 1940s | 1940–1949 | 60–200 | 200–1,200 | 1,200–4,000 | 4,000+ |
| 1950s | 1950–1959 | 50–200 | 200–1,500 | 1,500–5,000 | 5,000+ |
| 1960s | 1960–1969 | 40–150 | 150–1,000 | 1,000–6,000 | 6,000+ |
| 1970s | 1970–1979 | 30–100 | 100–500 | 500–2,000 | 2,000+ |
| 1980s | 1980–1989 | 25–80 | 80–400 | 400–1,500 | 1,500+ |
Prices in USD. Entry = unlabeled, good condition. Exceptional = designer label, documented provenance, museum quality.
What Drives Value
🏷️
Era
Victorian and Edwardian pieces command premiums. 1920s–1940s strongly collected. 1950s–1970s rising.
✂️
Designer Label
A couture label multiplies value 5–20×. ILGWU union tags add 20–50% over unlabeled pieces.
🔍
Condition
Excellent condition can double value vs. Good. Any repairs, alterations, or staining reduce value significantly.
🧵
Material
Silk, beaded, and velvet command premiums. Wool and cotton are standard. Synthetic fibers reduce value on pre-1960 pieces.
📏
Size
Smaller sizes (pre-1950s) are common; larger sizes (16+) rare and command premiums in most eras.
📜
Provenance
Documented history — original receipt, notable previous owner — can add 20–100% at auction.
High-Value Garment Types
| Garment Type | Best Era | Typical Range | Top Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaded Flapper Dress | 1920s | $800–$12,000 | Glass beads, silk georgette, all-over coverage |
| Mourning Dress | Victorian | $400–$8,000 | Intact crape, complete ensemble, documented |
| Bias-Cut Evening Gown | 1930s | $600–$8,000 | Silk crepe, designer label, unworn condition |
| New Look Ball Gown | 1950s | $400–$6,000 | Paris couture, documented provenance |
| Space Age Dress | 1960s | $800–$8,000 | Courrèges, Cardin label, excellent condition |
| Tea Gown | Edwardian | $600–$3,500 | Silk velvet, lace insertions, intact condition |
| Bustle Dress | 1870s–1890s | $800–$25,000 | Complete with underpinnings, unworn |
| Pucci Print Dress | 1960s–70s | $200–$3,500 | Authenticated label, signature in print |
| Halston Ultrasuede | 1970s | $300–$4,000 | Couture label, documented provenance |