The Ultimate Guide to Alexander McQueen: Investment Pieces, Sizing Advice & What to Buy

Alexander McQueen is more than a fashion brand—it's a design house synonymous with innovation, British tailoring, and high-art fashion. Known for its dramatic silhouettes, razor-sharp tailoring, and gothic elegance, McQueen garments often hold or increase in value over time, making them genuine investment pieces in the luxury market.

In this guide, we’ll cover what makes Alexander McQueen worth the investment, which categories have the best resale value, how their sizing compares across regions, and how Tellar.co.uk helps you find your exact McQueen size—removing any sizing uncertainty across the brand’s complex fit profiles.

1. Why Alexander McQueen is an Investment Brand

Founded in 1992 by Lee Alexander McQueen, the label quickly gained notoriety for its controversial runway shows and couture-level craftsmanship. After McQueen's passing in 2010, Sarah Burton continued his legacy, blending the brand’s avant-garde roots with modern refinement.

What makes it investment-worthy?

Heritage value: McQueen’s designs are archived in museums and studied in fashion history.
Craftsmanship: From the tailoring of the blazers to hand-finished embroidery, the quality surpasses many other luxury brands.
Limited production: Certain runway pieces and collections have limited quantities, increasing rarity.
Strong resale market: Certain McQueen items retain or increase in value, especially coats, skull clutches, and tailored dresses.

2. Best Alexander McQueen Items to Invest In

1. Tailored Blazers

McQueen’s blazers are iconic for their sculptural shape and shoulder emphasis. The ‘Harness’ and ‘Peplum’ blazers, in particular, have near cult status.

Investment Tip: Go for wool or grain-de-poudre tailoring in black, navy, or ivory for timeless wear.

🡪 See our full post: The Ultimate Guide to SmartCasual Blazers for Women’s Body Types

2. Trench Coats and Capes

Expect dramatic flares, military details, and structured shoulders. These are seasonal hero pieces, often commanding strong resale values.

Investment Tip: Stick to solid colours or classic heritage checks. Avoid overt seasonal embellishments unless you’re a collector.

3. Evening Dresses

From gothic lace gowns to structured column silhouettes, McQueen’s dresses are red carpet staples.

Investment Tip: Opt for silk or crepe styles with built-in corsetry or architectural shaping—these hold their form and value.

4. The Skull Clutch

A collector’s favourite. These jewelled clutches regularly sell for near RRP or higher in the resale market due to their rarity.

5. Footwear: Oversized Sneakers and Punk Boots

The Oversized Sneaker has become a core McQueen signature since the late 2010s. Though widely copied, originals retain strong brand recognition.

Investment Tip: Limited colourways and seasonal leathers (like suede or velvet) tend to appreciate in value.

3. McQueen Sizing: What You Need to Know

McQueen sizing runs small, particularly in structured garments and tailored pieces. Many buyers report needing to size up by 1 or even 2 full sizes, depending on the product and body type.

Category	Sizing Notes
Blazers & Coats	Often structured and tight at shoulders
Dresses	Corseted styles run small at waist
Trousers	True to size at waist but snug at thigh
Sneakers	Unisex sizing; often run large
Tops & Knitwear	Stretch knitwear runs true-to-size

Tellar.co.uk solves this problem entirely— by using your actual body measurements to recommend your correct McQueen size in seconds, avoiding expensive mistakes and unnecessary returns.

4. Global Alexander McQueen Sizing Comparison

UK Size	US Size	IT (Italy)	FR (France)	EU Jeans Waist
6	2	38	34	25
8	4	40	36	26–27
10	6	42	38	28
12	8	44	40	29–30
14	10	46	42	31
16	12	48	44	32–33

🡪 Full size breakdowns here: UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes: The Ultimate Guide

5. Tips for Buying McQueen Pre-Loved or Archive Pieces

Know your sizing: Use Tellar to find your brand match before buying second-hand.
Check for authenticity markers: Skull engraving, stitching quality, and logo font are key.
Resale sites: Look to trusted resellers like Vestiaire Collective, The RealReal, or MyTheresa’s archive.
Avoid outlet-only stock: These may lack signature detailing and aren’t typically collectible.

6. Tellar.co.uk: Your Sizing Solution for Alexander McQueen and 1,500+ Brands

Whether you’re buying McQueen’s precision tailoring or a ready-to-wear capsule piece, sizing accurately is essential for fit and resale value. Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s Leading Sizing Tool that matches your exact bust, waist, and hip measurements (or your best-fitting brand size) to over 1,500 fashion brands instantly—including McQueen.

With Tellar, you can:

✅ Enter your own body measurements or a known size in another brand
✅ Instantly get your size in Alexander McQueen and over 1,500 other labels
✅ Shop with confidence—no size guides, no returns
✅ Save time and avoid trial-and-error with luxury buys

It’s free, fast, and works in-browser—no downloads, no payment required.

🡪 Create Your Profile at Tellar.co.uk

🡪 Use the Store Size Lookup Tool

🡪 Download Your Free Measuring Tape

7. Dive Deeper with the Tellar Fashion Hub

Want to learn more about luxury brands, flattering cuts, or denim that fits your exact shape? Tellar’s Fashion Hub includes thousands of free expert posts, including:

8. Follow Tellar for Daily Insights

Get the latest fashion tips, sizing hacks, and insider styling advice by following Tellar across social media:

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”

Invest smartly in Alexander McQueen. Use Tellar.co.uk to ensure it fits perfectly from day one.