TL;DR: As a vintage reseller, you can focus on a wide variety of vintage items. This includes clothing, accessories, furniture, home decor, games, collectibles, and more.
Like modern shopping patterns, the vintage market follows its unique set of trends.
Reselling some vintage items has proven to be more lucrative than others.
Vintage clothing will always be sought after because of its uniqueness and timeless style. Other vintage items might have historical significance, while others can evoke nostalgia.
Choosing the best vintage items to resell requires some research on your part. Thankfully, this article can give you a few ideas.
If you find the right vintage products to resell, it can make all the difference to your reselling business. If you need help deciding which vintage category to focus on, keep reading.
The Best Vintage Items to Resell
Reselling vintage items has become a lucrative business.
These items possess a sense of uniqueness and historical significance. Some of them are in high demand among collectors, fashion enthusiasts, and home decor lovers.
(You can order this item on the Aus Vintage Wholesale online shop)
You just have to find the right category that fits your niche and business goals.
Here are some of the best vintage items to resell:
- Clothing and accessories
- Designer brands and luxury items
- Jewellery
- Kitchenware and home decor
- Vintage furniture
- Toys and games
- Electronics
- Collectibles
Clothing and Accessories
A category you can't go wrong with is vintage clothing and accessories. People love owning one-of-a-kind pieces.
Vintage clothes and accessories can include:
- T-shirts/tops/polos/sweatshirts
- Jackets/vests
- Pants/shorts/jeans
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Shoes
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Handbags
- Scarves
Pieces from the 70s, 80s, and 90s are especially popular. Some of these items had been made from high-quality materials that last over time.
Well-preserved vintage clothing allows buyers to create distinct looks. The goal is to stand out from modern trends.
Vintage accessories are also in high demand.
Popular items might include 1930s costume jewellery, 1950s-style sunglasses, and classic berets. They can usually be found in antique stores or at flea markets.
But, if you want to resell vintage clothes and accessories, you have to be prepared for the competition.
This niche is more competitive than you might imagine, with new thrift stores popping up in every corner.
(You can order this item on the Aus Vintage Wholesale online shop)
Designer Brands and Luxury Items
Designer brands and luxury items are some of the most profitable vintage items to resell.
Vintage pieces from iconic luxury brands are consistently in high demand. These brands include:
- Gucci
- Louis Vuitton
- Chanel
- Hermès
- Prada
- Balenciaga
- Christian Dior
- Givenchy
- Giorgio Armani
- Yves Saint Laurent
- Ralph Lauren
Specific items like Chanel flap bags, Louis Vuitton Neverfull totes, and Hermès Birkin bags are particularly sought after.
Some of these brands are considered the holy grail for lovers of vintage fashion.
Finding a luxury vintage item in a thrift shop is the goal of every thrifter. These items hold immense value, especially for collectors.
Another reason to resell designer brands and luxury items is the investment potential. High-end vintage items often appreciate in value because of their limited availability.
Jewellery
Vintage jewellery, especially from the Art Deco, Victorian, and mid-century periods, is highly sought after.
These pieces include rings, necklaces, brooches, and earrings made from precious metals and stones.
Vintage jewellery also includes costume jewellery that embodies the aesthetic of its time.
Just like vintage clothing, the appeal lies in the unique design. Vintage jewellery often features intricate designs and craftsmanship.
The sentimental value is another element. Many buyers are drawn to the historical significance of older jewellery.
Vintage jewellery is also rare. Authentic vintage pieces are harder to find, making them more desirable.
If you want to resell vintage jewellery, the authenticity and condition are key. The better the condition the pieces are in, the higher you will be able to price them.
Kitchenware and Home Decor
A very popular category of vintage items is kitchenware and home decor.
These are some profitable items and brands that are especially trendy right now:
- Pyrex
- "Made in Japan" ceramics
- Ceramic Christmas trees
- Vintage China and glassware
- Cookie jars
- Enamelware
- Mid-century modern dinnerware
Vintage home decor items like vases, mirrors, lamps, and clocks from past decades are prised for their charm and durability.
Many people collect specific brands or types of vintage kitchenware.
Pyrex is known for its durability and nostalgic appeal. You can find these items at thrift stores and estate sales.
"Made in Japan" ceramics are also popular among vintage shoppers. These pieces are highly valuable, especially if they are in good condition.
Fine china and glassware from well-known manufacturers can be quite desirable. Complete sets typically fetch higher prices, but individual pieces can also be profitable.
Most vintage kitchenware and decor items have a retro appeal. These items bring a nostalgic vibe to kitchens and homes.
Vintage Furniture
Reselling vintage furniture is another potentially profitable idea.
Mid-century modern furniture, Art Deco pieces, and antiques are staples in the vintage furniture market.
Quality vintage furniture often surpasses modern mass-produced items. This is especially true when it comes to materials and craftsmanship.
Items like armchairs, coffee tables, credenzas, and sideboards from renowned designers (e.g., Eames, Knoll) are especially popular.
There's growing interest in unique, modular furniture pieces from the 1970s.
Vintage furniture fits well in modern homes while adding character.
They're also known for their quality materials. Solid wood and handcrafted pieces stand the test of time.
As the trend for retro and mid-century modern designs grows, so does the demand for well-preserved furniture from these periods.
Toys and Games
Believe it or not, vintage toys and games are very popular in the vintage reselling world. The idea here is to bring back nostalgia.
This can include:
- Old collectible toys that are still in good condition
- Old board games
- Vintage video games
- Action figures
- Dollhouses
These items hold significant nostalgia for collectors and people who grew up during the time these items were popular.
Brands like LEGO, Barbie, and Star Wars figures from the 70s to 90s are particularly valuable.
Rare board games in good condition, especially those with original boxes and all pieces, can be very lucrative. Franklin Mint Monopoly and Scrabble are great examples.
Even old video games can be considered vintage.
Games like Legend of Zelda or Super Mario 64 can sell for a lot of money. Of course, the condition of the cartridge and manuals or boxes can affect the value.
Electronics
Vintage electronics hold significant value in today's market. These can include old radios, turntables, cassette players, and early video game consoles.
Many buyers are drawn to electronics they used during their childhood or teenage years.
Collectors and tech enthusiasts are often drawn to the nostalgia of these older devices.
Items like vintage cameras, tube amplifiers, and early computers (like the Commodore 64) also attract attention.
They aren't only in high demand for their historical significance, but their aesthetic appeal as well.
There's also been a resurgence in interest in retro tech. Items like vinyl players and film cameras are becoming popular again.
Collectibles
This category includes a wide range of items. For example:
- Vinyl records
- Vintage advertising signs
- Old comic books
- Stamps
- Coins
- Vintage posters
- Quilts
- Blow molds
- Vintage makeup
Collectors are always looking for rare and iconic pieces that represent a particular moment in time.
Different collectibles cater to specific fan bases, such as vinyl collectors or comic book enthusiasts.
What's more, many collectibles are rare, making them valuable.
How to Choose the Right Niche?
If you're still having trouble choosing the best vintage items to resell, here are some tips on reselling vintage items:
- Identify your passion
- Research the market demand
- Check if the vintage items you want to sell are profitable
- Assess accessibility and sourcing
- Consider trends and longevity
- Analyse your competition
Start by focusing on what you are passionate about. It can be vintage clothing, furniture, electronics, or collectibles.
Choosing something you're naturally drawn to makes the business more enjoyable. It also helps you stay connected to your audience.
It's always a good idea to analyse current market trends. That way, you can make sure there's a demand for your niche.
Use platforms like eBay, Etsy, or Poshmark to see what's selling well and at what prices.
Not all vintage items are equally profitable. Consider how much you'll spend acquiring items. Then, you can see how much you can realistically sell them for.
Some niches, like luxury vintage items or rare collectibles, can offer higher profit margins. But they may also require a higher initial investment.
Make sure your chosen niche lets you source items reliably and consistently. You need to make sure that you can continually find high-quality vintage pieces.
Some vintage niches have a timeless appeal. Others may be driven by current trends. Consider both the long-term appeal and short-term demand of your chosen niche.
Understanding your competition is key to positioning yourself within a niche. Research other vintage resellers in your potential niche. That way, you can find gaps in the market.
Knowing Which Vintage Items to Resell
If you decided to start your vintage reselling business, the first step is deciding which items to sell.
There are many options to choose from. From reselling vintage clothes to rare collectibles, you are sure to find what you are looking for.
If you're interested in reselling vintage clothes, you will need a stable source of inventory. This is where Aus Vintage Wholesale comes in.
(You can order this item on the Aus Vintage Wholesale online shop)
As a vintage wholesaler, we offer high-quality vintage clothing, everything from jackets and vests to sweatshirts and pants. We also supply 45kg bales in a range of categories.
If you want to know more about our vintage wholesale business, feel free to reach out to us.
