The Resale Buying Guide
Spring Summer 2025
Vestiaire Collective is a global community of fashion lovers, made up of millions of buyers and sellers in more than 70 countries worldwide, so of course we’ve always got an eye on the fluctuations in the fashion industry…
As we see the price of luxury soar and fast fashion reigns supreme, finding value for money spent on your wardrobe is no mean feat. Brands have increased prices between 25-50% in the last five years, and we’ve seen a significant increase in negotiations on our platform since September of last year, so it’s clear our community is looking to make their money go further.
With this in mind, we’ve created our inaugural Resale Buying Guide with a focus on finding the best value, no matter your budget. From top brands to invest in to the designer steals that sold fastest, I hope this guide will help you make the best choices for your wallet, as well as your wardrobe.
- Sophie Hersan, Vestiaire Collective Co-founder and Fashion Director
1. Unveiling the Vestiaire Value Ranking (V.V.R.)
Choosing high-quality, pre-loved designer pieces you’ll wear on repeat is the smartest way to shop, giving you that luxury feeling without the premium price tag. That’s where the Vestiaire Value Ranking comes in…
We’ve put our data to good use, creating a first-of-its-kind formula formula that cross-references sales, 5-year resale value growth, items sold, likes, searches, and price offers on over 400 brands to help you make the best financial–and fashionable–decisions. Then we’ve split our findings into three categories–luxury, designer, and premium–based on price point, heritage, and products offered, so you can easily navigate to the selection most relevant to you.
If you’ve got $500 to spend on the perfect summer tote, Top Premium Brands is the list for you. If you’ve got more than $1,000 to spend on the bag of your dreams, start with our Top Luxury Brands list. And if you’re somewhere in the middle? The Top Designer Brands list might be more your style.
Top 10 Luxury Brands
Staying steadfast quarter over quarter, this timeless line-up comes as no surprise. Despite some first-hand woes last year, Gucci actually led the way in pre-loved sales last quarter on Vestiaire Collective (bags, as ever, were most popular, with the Jackie and the Marmont taking the top two spots). However, it was Chanel who really captured our community’s interest with the highest number of product views per person. And what you don’t see here is the rising popularity of Dior and Prada, whose resale value has increased 12% and 11% respectively over the past five years.
Our takeaway: The ruling French and Italian fashion houses have us all in a chokehold, and it’s safe to say Chanel, Gucci, Dior, and Prada will be a wise investment for many, many years to come…
Top 10 Designer Brands
We’ve seen the same 10 designer brands battling for pole position over the last three months, with Moncler and Acne Studios climbing the most and Jacquemus falling the furthest (thanks to a lack of newness and innovation, but still sitting comfortably in the top five). The only non-mover? Vivienne Westwood, coming in consistently in tenth place.
When it comes to value, The Row is growing fastest, boasting an impressive 5-year resale value CAGR* of 27% thanks to the quiet luxury boom. Meanwhile, Jacquemus stands out as the brand most likely to get offers, despite that hype-decline, with buyers making an average of 10 offers per product (well above the average of 6), proving our Collective are eager to score a deal on the brand’s coveted styles.
Value tip: we always recommend making an offer instead of settling for the first price you see. Finding a fair deal that works for buyer and seller–at up to 30% below the listing price–is part of the thrill of the hunt…
Top 10 Premium Brands
The picture is moving more rapidly for premium brands, with a mix of some strong consistent positions (shout out Ganni and Golden Goose) and some big shifts from the likes of Ami and Etro. While Missoni’s sudden drop might be seasonal, Ami’s big lift likely comes from their collaboration with a certain Parisienne by the name of Emily…
Looking purely at growth, Polène came out on top, with a rapid rise in interest due to LVMH’s investment. In fact, the Parisian leather goods brand received an average of 43 likes per product from our community (vs. an average of 10 likes on the rest of the list).
Value tip: using our like feature to add items to your favorites means you’ll be notified if their prices drop. Just don’t wait so long that someone else snaps them up first…
2. If You Know, You Know
Want to invest in brands that are a little less… classic? We took our unique formula, the CAGR* resale price over the last five years, and a little bit of expert insight from our senior fashion team to shortlist the cult-favourite brands that’ll get you more for your money.
*CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate, a metric measuring the average annual growth of an investment over a set period of time.
Miu Miu
The rise of Miu Miu’s nostalgic, preppy-meets-Y2K aesthetic and its adoption by fashion’s it-girls sees it move up one position into the top 15 brands in our global ranking. If you’re planning to buy, our fashion team advises opting for the Pocket Bag, which aligns with the timeless trend of "lived-in" accessories.
Shop Miu Miu
Loewe
Dropping three positions from 15th to 18th place, this playful luxury brand is still firmly in the top 20, with an average of 20 likes per product from our Collective–double the average of this list. We recommend investing in their Puzzle bag, which you can find for half the retail price on our platform.
Shop Loewe
Alaïa
Alaïa’s position is largely driven by seasonal products–like the gem-studded ballet pumps that were everywhere last summer–so we expect to see them move back up the ranking soon. Want to get your hands on a pair? Offer up to 30% off the listing price.
Shop Alaïa
The Row
Comfortably in the top 10 and leading the ‘quiet luxury’ trend with their signature brand of understated elegance, The Row has become shorthand for good taste. Top tip: with the right negotiation skills, you can find their Half Moon Bag under $1,000...
Shop The Row
Maison Martin Margiela
Buoyed by their viral 2024 Artisanal Collection (courtesy of John Galliano), Belgian brand Margiela has climbed from 31st to 25th in our global ranking, with more easy-to-wear styles like their cult denim coming in under $300.
Shop Maison Martin Margiela
Vivienne Westwood
Westwood moved up two positions and garnered double the average amount of likes as the rest of the top 50, helped by the Y2K revival bringing renewed interest in its iconic corsets and pearl necklaces, which can easily be found under $500.
Shop Vivienne Westwood
3. Forever Pieces For Every Budget
The term “investment piece” gets thrown around a lot these days, but it’s not all about Birkins and Breguets. With our new Vestiaire Value Ranking, we’ve mined the data and gotten the DL from our fashion team to determine which dream styles will stand the test of time, whatever your budget. If you’re waiting for a sign to shop–or to sell–this is it…
Watch out: want your purchase to retain its value? Clean and store it safely to keep it in top condition.
Smart Timeless Finds
Under $1,000
Returns on investment aren’t just restricted to Hermès bags. A Nano Speedy from five years ago would earn a profit of $365 by now, while the Neverfull would make you $165 too.
And if you’re desperate to invest in Chanel but can’t stretch to a bag, their iconic (and equally timeless) chain belts come in at a much more reasonable price…
Affordable Classics
Under $600
Even if you do want to opt for a “classic” investment piece, it doesn’t have to cost an arm and leg. Whether you choose a smaller accessory over an it-bag, or you’re willing to be flexible on the condition of an iconic trench coat, there are plenty of bargains to be had under $600.
4. Exceptional Finds
As fashion fans, we’re always looking out for rare pieces, vintage icons, and unbelievably good deals. So, let’s get into the show-stopping–and surprisingly well-priced–styles we’ve seen pass through our warehouse in the past three months. Think vintage J’adore Dior tees, limited edition Birkins, and fresh-from-the-runway Balenciaga jackets.
Whether you’re in the market for a rare Baguette, Chloé’s revival it-bag, or just a new-with-tags Jacquemus blazer, opting for preloved is the perfect way to bag the style you’re searching for without breaking the bank.
Make a Statement
Whether it’s exaggerated silhouettes or even more exaggerated footwear, these exceptional pieces are not for the wallflowers. They’re also a perfect example of how the best-dressed amongst us look to the past for inspiration, be it a genuine Gaultier piece from the 90s or a Balenciaga coat that references Cristóbal’s work from the 1940s.
House Signatures
The house codes are classics for a reason. And when they’re in the hands of legendary creative directors? Even more so. Take this vintage Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel tweed, taken up a notch in buttercup yellow and electric purple. Or Chloé’s newly-trending-again it-bag, originally created 20 years ago by Phoebe Philo, and soon to be back in store (and more sought-after than ever).
The Millennial Dream
With slogan tees back on the runways and the anniversary release of an updated Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami collection, the Y2K resurgence has us all reaching for our flip phones and dreaming of the kind of couture Paris Hilton would have worn on The Simple Life. The good news? Getting Paris’s designer look (pre-loved) can come in under $500. Really.
5. Going, Going, Gone
From zero to sold in 60 seconds… These incredible deals flew off the shelves in no time. And at these prices? It’s no surprise. From sought-after deals on Saddles and Baguettes to shockingly-low prices on IFYKYK brands like The Row, prepare to be jealous of these serious bargains.
Buyer tip: our app lets you save searches and set alerts, so you’ll never miss a great deal or a new price drop on your favorite styles.
6. Old is the New New
/’vɪn.tɪdʒ/
adjective
Denoting fashion that is at least ‘vingt ans’ (a.k.a. 20 years) old.
Once the domain of collectors and archivists, we’re seeing a real vintage boom that’s putting designers of the past center stage. But it’s not just vintage’s demand that’s growing–its value is too. Here’s what you need to know…
The Vintage Boom
Over the last five years, our vintage listings have grown by 220%. But what’s really fascinating is the growth in pre-loved sales, fueled by fashion fans who are catching on to the fact that designer vintage can be snapped up for as little as $100–a particularly interesting stat in the era of the vintage re-releases, à la the runways of Dior and Gucci.
Price aside, buyers are also becoming more aware of quality and craftsmanship. As synthetic fibers become ever more prevalent, many are searching for vintage pieces in natural fibers like wool, cotton, and silk, which are renowned for their superior lifespans.
And speaking of lifespans, those shoppers who are sick of the micro-trend cycle are finding comfort in the timeless appeal of vintage designs, opting for fashionably distressed bags (a look pioneered by the Olsen twins) and outfits that transcend the fads, offering more wear for less money…
Top Vintage Models
Whether it’s Tom Ford-era Gucci or the original Murakami x Louis Vuitton collaboration, it-bags never go out of style. It’s what makes them such a wise investment, and it’s why it’s no surprise to find these iconic styles coming in as the top five most-sold vintage items on our platform last year.
7. Now Trending
We’ve taken a sneak peek at the latest data from March 2025 to find out what colors, silhouettes, and styles our Collective are investing in for less right now. Cue plenty of sugary-sweet pastels, 80s-inspired power suits, and an abundance of animal print (obviously)...
Colors
Mocha Mousse
The color of the year is inescapable, showing up everywhere from tailored suits to soft suede jackets.
Ballet Slipper Pink
Forget Barbie pink. This season it’s all about her subtler, sweeter, candy-colored sister, with a side of balletcore.
Butter Yellow
Not quite cream, not quite pastel, this exceptionally luxe shade sits somewhere right in the middle.
Ice Blue
Frosty, ethereal, and universally flattering, there’s a reason this hue has been on our radar for a while now.
Silhouettes
The Power Suit
Think Saint Laurent’s 80s-inspired tailoring (like this vintage YSL blazer), layered under chic leather bomber jackets.
The Preppy Pairing
Jackets over (cropped and pre-loved) polo shirts, long socks under peep toe heels… The Miu Miu girl made us do it.
The Bubble Skirt
Fun, flouncy, and firmly back in style, thanks to Chemena Kamali’s genius turn at Chloé, these buoyant skirts will be everywhere. But preloved is your best bet for reasonable prices.
The Sculptural Statement
Got a big event? Opt for an exaggerated silhouette, as seen on the runways of Schiaperelli and Alaïa, like this Attico mini.
Styles
Barn Jackets
Whether you’re more Barbour or Carhartt WIP, those in-the-know are living in this casual layer.
Oversized Bags
The reign of the mini bag is over. Big, slouchy, and slightly disheveled is the order of the day.
Kitten Heels
Our bags might be getting bigger, but our heels have been decidedly petite of late…
Keyring Charms
From our bags to our phones, there’s no accessory that’s remained un-charmed this season.
Animal Print Everything
Leopard. Zebra. Cow… The mob wife micro-trend birthed a lasting obsession with all-things animal.
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Vestiaire Collective has no association and/or affiliation with the brands whose items are offered for sale on our platform and/or are displayed in this guide. All authentication services are performed independently by Vestiaire Collective.
Vestiaire Value Ranking for a given quarter reflects the sales, the resale value evolution over the last 5 years, the number of sold items, the number of likes, the number of searches, and the number of negotiations. In this report, we’re looking at the Vestiaire Value Ranking for Q4 2024 compared to results from Q3 2024.
Prices: current average price per model on Vestiaire Collective.
