🕰️ Vintage Clothing
Dating Vintage by Era
1950s & Earlier
Metal zippers, no care labels (pre-1971), union tags, metal buttons, hand-finished details. Very valuable but rare at thrifts.
1960s
Early plastic zippers appear, mod styles, A-line dresses, bold prints. "Made in USA" common. Look for Talon or Coats & Clark zippers.
1970s
Care labels required after 1971 (use for dating!). Polyester boom, earth tones, bell bottoms. RN/WPL numbers help date pieces.
1980s
Bold colors, power shoulders, synthetic fabrics. Country of origin required on labels. Designer logos become prominent.
1990s
Minimalism, grunge, oversized fits. Currently very hot market. Look for single stitch tees, vintage band shirts, early streetwear.
Y2K (1998-2004)
Low-rise, butterfly clips, bedazzled everything, velour tracksuits. Currently trending with Gen-Z buyers.
Key Dating Indicators
Union Tags
- ILGWU: International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (1900-1995)
- ACWA/ACTWU: Amalgamated Clothing Workers (1914-1976/1976-1995)
- UNITE: After 1995 merger
- Union tags indicate Made in USA and help narrow date range
Care Labels
- No care label: Pre-1971
- Written instructions only: 1971-1997
- Symbols only or symbols + text: Post-1997
Single Stitch vs Double Stitch
- Single stitch: One row of stitching at hem/sleeves, generally pre-1993
- Double stitch: Two rows, post-1993
- Single stitch tees command significant premiums
💡 Pro Tip: The shirt tag alone isn't definitive. Use multiple indicators together: tag style + country of origin + care label + construction details.
High-Value Vintage Categories
| Category | What to Look For | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| Band Tees | Single stitch, 70s-90s tours, bootleg concert shirts | $50-$5,000+ |
| Movie/TV Promo | Cast & crew shirts, premiere events, vintage promos | $30-$500+ |
| Sports (Vintage) | Starter jackets, old logos, defunct teams | $50-$400+ |
| Designer (80s-90s) | Versace, Moschino, vintage Chanel, YSL | $100-$2,000+ |
| Workwear | Vintage Carhartt, Lee, Dickies, denim chore coats | $40-$300+ |
| Military | M-65 jackets, flight jackets, camo patterns | $50-$500+ |
| Levi's | Big E, 501 redlines, vintage 505s, trucker jackets | $100-$1,000+ |
Where to Source Vintage
- Thrift stores: Volume is key. Hit multiple stores weekly.
- Estate sales: Best for true vintage. Check closets thoroughly.
- Garage sales: Parents cleaning out old clothes = gold.
- Flea markets: Negotiate hard; dealers know values.
- Goodwill bins: Pay by weight, high volume, competitive.
- Church sales: Often overlooked, elderly donors = older clothes.
- Consignment lots: Some consignment stores sell aged-out inventory.
💡 Golden Rule: The more rural/suburban the thrift, the less picked-over. Urban thrifts near colleges are competitive; suburban thrifts 30 min out are goldmines.
Best Platforms for Vintage
- Etsy: Built for vintage (20+ years). Great for unique pieces.
- eBay: Largest audience. Best for researching comps.
- Depop: Gen-Z audience loves 90s/Y2K. Strong for $20-80 range.
- Grailed: Menswear focus. Great for designer vintage.
- Instagram: Build a following, sell directly. Lower fees, higher trust.
- 1stDibs/Vestiaire: High-end designer vintage only.
Selling Tips
- Tell the story: Vintage buyers love history. Date it, describe the era.
- Measurements matter: Vintage sizing is inconsistent. Always provide actual measurements.
- Photograph flaws: Vintage pieces have wear. Show it clearly to avoid returns.
- Use era keywords: "90s," "Y2K," "single stitch," "Made in USA" drive searches.
- Research bands/graphics: A random shirt might be a $500 rare tour tee.
- Clean carefully: Some vintage shouldn't be washed. Spot clean, steam, air out.