Every seasoned reseller has a story about pulling a $300 jacket off a thrift store rack marked at $5.99. Those finds are not luck. They come from knowing which valuable vintage clothing brands are worth grabbing the moment you see them. Building a mental database of vintage brands worth money is the single fastest way to increase your sourcing hit rate.

This guide covers 30 thrift store clothing brands organized by category, with price ranges, era indicators, and label details so you can identify winners on the rack. If you are new to reselling, start with our complete thrift store flipping guide for a full foundation before diving in here.

Why Vintage Clothing Is One of the Best Resale Categories

Vintage clothing to resell checks every box that matters for profitability:

Low acquisition cost -- Thrift stores price by garment type, not brand value
High demand -- The vintage fashion market has grown steadily as buyers seek unique, sustainable alternatives to fast fashion
Easy to ship -- Clothing is lightweight, foldable, and rarely breaks in transit
Knowledge gap -- Most thrift store shoppers walk right past labels worth serious money

The key is knowing what to look for. Let us break it down by category.

Designer and Luxury Vintage Brands

Designer labels are the big-ticket finds. They are rare at thrift stores, but when you spot one, the payoff can be enormous.

1. Chanel

Vintage Chanel jackets, handbags, and costume jewelry are among the most valuable vintage clothes you can find. Tweed blazers from the 1980s and 1990s routinely sell for $500 to $2,000+. Look for the interlocking CC logo on buttons and interior labels. Authentic pieces have clean, even stitching and chain-weighted hems on jackets.

What to look for: Chain-link trim, gold CC buttons, interior label with serial numbers on bags Price range: $200-$5,000+ depending on item and condition

2. Gucci

Vintage Gucci from the Tom Ford era (1994-2004) is especially hot right now. Older pieces from the 1970s and 1980s featuring the GG monogram or the iconic green-red-green stripe also command strong prices. Silk shirts, leather accessories, and logo tees all sell well.

What to look for: "Made in Italy" labels, serif font logos (pre-2000s), GG canvas patterns Price range: $50-$1,500+

3. Versace

Bold Versace prints from the Gianni era (pre-1997) are grail-level finds for collectors. Silk shirts with baroque and Medusa prints sell for $200 to $800. Even later Versace Jeans Couture or Versus Versace pieces can fetch $50 to $200.

What to look for: Medusa head logos, "Gianni Versace" vs. "Versace" labels (Gianni-era pieces are more valuable), baroque gold prints Price range: $50-$1,000+

4. Burberry

Vintage Burberry trench coats are a reseller staple. The classic nova check lining makes them easy to identify quickly. 1980s and 1990s pieces labeled "Burberrys" (with the S) are older and often more desirable to collectors than the modern "Burberry" branding.

What to look for: Nova check lining, "Burberrys" vs. "Burberry" label, made in England tags Price range: $100-$600+

5. Yves Saint Laurent (YSL)

Vintage YSL blazers, silk blouses, and accessories from the 1970s through 1990s remain highly sought after. The Rive Gauche line is particularly collectible. Look for the older "Yves Saint Laurent" script labels rather than the modern "Saint Laurent Paris" rebranding.

What to look for: Cursive YSL script label, "Rive Gauche" designation, made in France tags Price range: $75-$800+

Vintage Workwear Brands Worth Money

Workwear has crossed over from utility into fashion, and vintage pieces with real wear and patina are worth significantly more than new production.

6. Carhartt

Vintage Carhartt, especially pieces made in the USA, are extremely popular. Distressed chore coats, Detroit jackets, and double-knee pants in faded colorways sell fast. The older "Carhartt" script logo and union-made tags indicate pre-2000s production.

What to look for: "Made in USA" labels, union tags, faded or distressed canvas, script logo Price range: $40-$200+

7. Dickies

Vintage Dickies eisenhower jackets and work pants from the 1970s through 1990s have a strong following. Older pieces with "Dickies" in a blocky font and "Made in USA" tags are the most valuable. Unusual colors like burgundy or forest green sell at a premium.

What to look for: "Made in USA" tags, older font styles, unusual colors Price range: $20-$80+

8. Woolrich

Vintage Woolrich wool shirts, mackinaw jackets, and hunting coats are consistent sellers. 1960s and 1970s pieces with the cursive "Woolrich Woolen Mills" label and bold plaid patterns are the most sought after.

What to look for: "Woolrich Woolen Mills" label, made in USA, wool content tags Price range: $30-$150+

9. Pointer Brand (L.C. King)

One of the last American-made workwear brands. Vintage Pointer Brand chore coats and overalls have a dedicated collector base and are uncommon at thrift stores, which makes them more valuable when you do find them.

What to look for: "Pointer Brand" or "L.C. King" labels, union-made tags Price range: $40-$120+

Vintage Band and Graphic Tees

Band tees are one of the highest-margin vintage clothing categories. A $2 T-shirt can be worth $50 to $500 if you know what to look for.

10. Vintage Concert Tour Tees (1970s-1990s)

Authentic tour shirts from major acts like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Grateful Dead, and Nirvana are among the most valuable vintage clothes in any thrift store. Shirts from specific tours (with dates and venues on the back) are more valuable than generic band logo tees.

What to look for: Single-stitch hems (pre-1993), Screen Stars, Hanes, or Anvil blank tags, tour dates on back Price range: $50-$500+ for major bands, $20-$100 for smaller acts

11. Vintage Hip-Hop and Rap Tees

Bootleg and official rap tees from the 1990s have exploded in value. Tupac, Biggie, Wu-Tang Clan, and Snoop Dogg shirts regularly sell for $100+. Bootleg prints with slightly off artwork are often worth more than official merch to collectors.

What to look for: 1990s blank tags, bootleg-style photographic prints, single-stitch construction Price range: $40-$300+

12. Vintage Sports Championship Tees

Championship tees from the Super Bowl, World Series, and NBA Finals from the 1980s and 1990s sell well, especially for popular teams. The misprinted "loser" shirts (made for the team that lost) are extremely rare and valuable.

What to look for: Specific year and event, officially licensed tags, single-stitch hems Price range: $20-$150+

Pro tip: When checking T-shirts, always look at the hem on the sleeves and bottom. If there is a single line of stitching (single-stitch), the shirt was almost certainly made before 1993 and is genuinely vintage. Double-stitch hems became standard after that point. This one detail will save you from buying modern reproductions at vintage prices.

Vintage Sportswear and Athletic Brands

Sportswear is one of the most reliable categories for vintage clothing to resell. The pieces are recognizable, easy to authenticate, and have a massive buyer pool.

13. Nike (Vintage)

Vintage Nike windbreakers, track jackets, and swoosh tees from the late 1980s and 1990s are consistent sellers. The older "Nike" block lettering, silver tag era, and orange tag era each indicate different decades. Center swoosh designs and ACG (All Conditions Gear) pieces command premium prices.

What to look for: Silver tags (1990s), orange tags (1970s-1980s), block letter logos, "Made in USA" Price range: $25-$200+

14. Adidas (Vintage)

Vintage Adidas tracksuits, trefoil logo tees, and early Originals pieces sell well. The trefoil logo (the leaf shape) was used until 1997 for performance wear, making it a reliable era indicator. Pieces made in West Germany are especially prized by collectors.

What to look for: Trefoil logo, "Made in West Germany" or "Made in USA" tags, bold colorblocking Price range: $20-$150+

15. Champion (Reverse Weave)

Champion Reverse Weave crewnecks and hoodies from the 1980s and 1990s are a thrift store gold mine. The "C" logo, Reverse Weave side panels, and older tag styles help date the piece. Faded sweatshirts in unusual colors sell the fastest.

What to look for: Reverse Weave tag, "Made in USA," older "C" logo with horizontal lines Price range: $30-$120+

16. Starter Jackets

Vintage Starter satin jackets from the late 1980s and early 1990s are pure nostalgia. NFL, NBA, and MLB team jackets in good condition fetch strong prices, especially legacy franchises.

What to look for: Starter star logo, satin body, bold team graphics, "Made in Korea" or "Made in USA" Price range: $40-$200+

17. Ralph Lauren / Polo Sport

Vintage Polo Ralph Lauren and Polo Sport pieces from the 1990s have a huge following. Stadium collection pieces, P-Wing designs, and Polo Sport spellout logos are the heavy hitters. Even basic Polo shirts in good condition sell steadily.

What to look for: Older Polo player logo (larger, more detailed), "Polo Sport" spellout, Stadium or P-Wing graphics Price range: $20-$300+

Vintage Denim Brands: The Backbone of Reselling

Denim is arguably the most consistent vintage clothing category. The right pair of jeans can fund your entire sourcing trip.

18. Levi's 501

Vintage Levi's 501 jeans are the gold standard. Pre-1980s pairs with a capital "E" on the red tab (Big E) are worth hundreds. Even 1990s pairs in popular washes sell for $40 to $80. Selvedge denim, hidden rivets, and specific lot numbers all increase value.

What to look for: Big E red tab (pre-1971), selvedge edge on outseam, care tag date codes, "Made in USA" Price range: $40-$500+

19. Lee Riders

Vintage Lee jeans, especially the Riders line from the 1960s through 1980s, are underrated compared to Levi's but still fetch solid prices. The older "Lee" branded rivets and leather back patches indicate older production.

What to look for: Leather back patch (older production), "Lee" branded rivets, "Made in USA" Price range: $25-$150+

20. Wrangler

Vintage Wrangler jeans and western shirts sell well, particularly from the 1970s and 1980s. Pearl snap western shirts are a vintage market staple. "Blue Bell" tags indicate early Wrangler production before the brand was widely known.

What to look for: Pearl snap buttons, "Blue Bell" labels (pre-1970s), "Made in USA" Price range: $20-$100+

21. JNCO

JNCO jeans from the late 1990s and early 2000s have made a massive comeback. Wide-leg styles with elaborate embroidered back pockets are the most sought after, and prices have jumped significantly.

What to look for: Exaggerated wide legs, embroidered back pocket designs, JNCO crown logo Price range: $60-$250+

If you find a denim piece and are unsure of the era, our guide on how to price vintage items for resale walks through research techniques that work especially well for dating vintage jeans.

Outdoor and Adventure Vintage Brands

Outdoor brands hold value exceptionally well because they were built to last, and many vintage pieces are in better condition than you might expect.

22. Patagonia

Vintage Patagonia fleeces, especially Snap-T pullovers and Retro-X jackets from the 1990s, are among the easiest vintage finds to flip. Bold color combinations and older logo styles sell the fastest.

What to look for: Older oval Patagonia logo, "Made in USA" tags, bold 1990s colorways Price range: $30-$180+

23. The North Face

Vintage North Face Nuptse puffers, Denali fleeces, and Gore-Tex mountain jackets from the 1990s and early 2000s are reliable sellers. The brown label era (1970s) and older TNF logos indicate the most collectible pieces.

What to look for: Brown label (1970s), older TNF summit logo, Gore-Tex branding, "Made in USA" Price range: $40-$250+

24. Columbia Sportswear

Vintage Columbia Bugaboo interchange jackets and bold neon colorways from the 1990s have a dedicated market. They tend to be priced lower at thrift stores than Patagonia or TNF, which means better margins.

What to look for: Bugaboo system, 1990s neon colorways, older Columbia logo Price range: $15-$80+

25. Arc'teryx

Less common at thrift stores, but when you find vintage Arc'teryx, grab it. Technical shells and fleeces hold their value better than almost any other outdoor brand, even with minor wear.

What to look for: Dead bird logo, Gore-Tex Pro labels, "Made in Canada" Price range: $50-$300+

Vintage Hawaiian Shirts

Hawaiian shirts, also known as aloha shirts, are a niche but lucrative vintage category.

26. Reyn Spooner

The most collectible Hawaiian shirt brand. Vintage Reyn Spooner shirts with reverse prints (the muted side of the fabric facing out) are the classic style. Older labels reading "Reyn's" indicate 1960s production.

What to look for: Reverse print fabric, pullover style, "Reyn's" label (1960s), coconut shell buttons Price range: $25-$100+

27. Sun Surf (Toyo Enterprise)

Sun Surf reproductions of 1940s and 1950s Hawaiian shirt designs are collectible in their own right. Rayon fabric, vibrant prints, and detailed label artwork set them apart. Original 1940s-1950s aloha shirts from any maker in good condition can sell for $200 or more.

What to look for: Rayon fabric, detailed prints, "Sun Surf" or "Toyo Enterprise" labels Price range: $40-$200+

28. Kahala and Tori Richard

Two other respected Hawaiian shirt brands. Kahala shirts with the "Avi Collection" label are particularly sought after. Both used high-quality cotton and rayon that holds up well over decades.

What to look for: Rayon or cotton, matched prints at seams, coconut or wood buttons Price range: $15-$75+

Vintage Collegiate and University Wear

Collegiate gear is one of the more overlooked categories of vintage brands worth money.

29. Russell Athletic

Vintage Russell Athletic crewnecks with university prints are consistently strong sellers. 1980s and 1990s pieces with the older logo and "Made in USA" tags are the most desirable. Oversized fits and faded prints actually increase appeal.

What to look for: "Made in USA," NuBlend or High Cotton tags, older Russell logo, university prints Price range: $20-$80+

30. Vintage Varsity Jackets

Leather-sleeve varsity jackets with chenille letter patches from the 1950s through 1980s have timeless appeal. Value depends on leather quality, patch condition, and overall aesthetic. Unusual colors and well-preserved chenille bring the highest prices.

What to look for: Genuine leather sleeves, chenille patches, snap front closure, quilted lining Price range: $40-$200+

How to Spot Fake Vintage Clothing

As vintage prices have risen, so has the counterfeit market. Here are the most reliable ways to protect yourself from buying fakes.

Check the Tags and Labels

Authentic vintage pieces should have tags consistent with their era:

1960s-1970s: Simple woven labels, often with union-made tags (ILGWU, ACWA, Unite)
1980s: More detailed care instruction labels began appearing (required by law starting in 1971, but widely adopted in the 1980s)
1990s: Country of origin clearly listed, barcode stickers sometimes still attached, RN/WPL numbers present

If a shirt claims to be from the 1980s but has a modern-style printed tag or a holographic sticker, walk away.

Examine the Construction

Genuine vintage clothing typically features higher-quality construction than modern fast fashion:

Single-stitch hems on T-shirts (pre-1993)
Metal zippers from Talon or YKK (Talon indicates pre-1980s American-made)
Higher fabric weight and denser weave
Union labels sewn into American-made garments

Know the Common Fakes

Some categories are faked more often than others:

Designer handbags (Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton) -- check stitching, hardware weight, serial numbers
Band tees -- many reproductions use artificially distressed fabric and modern blanks
Vintage Nike and Jordan pieces -- compare logos and tags to known authentic examples
Levi's Big E -- counterfeit Big E tabs are common; verify with selvedge, rivets, and care tags

If you are unsure about a label, tools like Underpriced AI can identify the brand and give you a quick price estimate from a photo, which helps you make confident decisions while sourcing.

Tips for Finding Valuable Vintage Clothing at Thrift Stores

Knowing the brands is half the battle. Here is how to maximize your chances of actually finding them.

Go often and go early. Thrift stores restock constantly. The resellers who find the best pieces are the ones who show up regularly, ideally on restock days.
Work the racks efficiently. Train yourself to scan tags and labels quickly. Run your hand along the rack and flip each label. With practice, you can scan an entire rack in minutes.
Check every section. A Versace silk shirt might be in the women's blouses section priced at $4.99. A vintage Starter jacket might be next to modern puffer coats. Check men's, women's, and outerwear regardless of what you are looking for.
Do not ignore the off-brands. Handmade leather jackets, military surplus, and unique one-of-a-kind pieces can sell for strong prices based on aesthetics alone.

For more sourcing strategies, check out our guide on how to find underpriced items at thrift stores.

What to Do After You Find a Valuable Piece

Once you have pulled a promising item off the rack, follow these steps:

Confirm authenticity using the tag, construction, and label checks described above
Research recent sold prices on eBay (filter by "Sold" listings) or use Underpriced AI to get a fast comparable-based estimate
Check condition carefully -- stains, holes, pilling, and odors all affect value
Photograph it well before listing -- natural light, clean background, detail shots of labels and any flaws
Price strategically -- our vintage pricing guide covers this in detail

Building Your Vintage Clothing Knowledge Over Time

Nobody memorizes every valuable vintage clothing brand overnight. The best resellers build their knowledge gradually by studying sold listings for 15 minutes a day, following vintage clothing accounts on social media, and handling as many garments as possible until they can identify quality fabric by touch alone.

The more brands you can recognize on sight, the faster you move through a thrift store and the more profitable finds you pull from the racks. Every piece of vintage clothing has a story, and often that story has a price tag that far exceeds what the thrift store put on it. Your job is to know the difference.