The Ultimate Guide to Designer Fashion That Appreciates in Value
Author: Stylist at TellarDate: 2025
Author: Tellar Styling Team
Date: July 2025
Disclaimer: This post is entirely honest, independent, and always free. No sponsorships or paid placements.
Fashion is often seen as a depreciating asset—but some clothing brands defy that rule.
While most garments lose value once worn, certain designers produce pieces that not only retain their worth but appreciate over time, becoming collector’s items, resale stars, or future vintage icons.
This guide breaks down the fashion brands and designers whose pieces are most likely to increase in value, why they do, and how you can make smart wardrobe investments today.
What Makes Fashion Appreciate in Value?
Not all designer clothing becomes an investment. The following factors are key:
1. Limited Production Runs
Scarcity increases value. Capsule collections, runway exclusives, and one-off collaborations are more likely to appreciate than mass-produced seasonal drops.
2. Iconic or Cult Status
If an item is tied to a fashion moment, celebrity, or cultural shift, its resale value skyrockets.
3. Craftsmanship and Materials
Hand-finishing, couture techniques, and high-grade materials (cashmere, silk, Italian wool) ensure longevity—and resale desirability.
4. Brand Prestige & Market Demand
High-tier brands with international demand (especially in Asia and the Middle East) tend to hold value best.
Clothing Designers That Appreciate Over Time
Here are the fashion houses and designers whose pieces are considered investment-worthy:
1. Chanel
Chanel ready-to-wear, especially tweed jackets and logo-emblazoned pieces, regularly increase in value on the resale market.
Why:
Limited quantities
Strong global demand (particularly in Asia)
Timeless silhouettes
Best investments:
Vintage boucle jackets
Paris-Dallas and Métiers d’Art collections
Rare seasonal colours
2. Dior (by Galliano or Maria Grazia Chiuri)
Dior’s recent revival under Chiuri and legacy Galliano collections have become sought-after.
Why:
Feminist slogans, corsetry, tailored jackets
Galliano-era pieces are becoming archival
Best investments:
“We Should All Be Feminists” tees (first run)
Saddle bags and logo bodysuits
Tailored wool coats
3. Hermès
While Hermès is better known for bags, its clothing—particularly cashmere outerwear and leather pieces—has become a high-value niche.
Why:
Ultra-limited production
Highest-level craftsmanship
Never discounted
Best investments:
Double-faced cashmere coats
Lambskin trousers or wrap skirts
4. Yves Saint Laurent (YSL / Saint Laurent Paris)
Vintage YSL, particularly from the 70s–90s, has become one of the most collectible designer categories.
Why:
Runway pieces are being reissued
Archive sales are driving demand
Best investments:
Rive Gauche coats and blazers
Silk eveningwear
Le Smoking jackets
5. Phoebe Philo-era Céline
Collectors and fashion editors hoard Céline from Philo’s minimalist reign (2008–2018).
Why:
Discontinued forever
Clean lines, neutral palettes
Surged in resale value post-departure
Best investments:
Belted wrap coats
Wide-leg trousers
Structured tunics
6. Gucci by Tom Ford (1995–2004)
This iconic era is prized for its sex appeal and runway legacy.
Why:
Pre-owned Tom Ford Gucci is rare and bold
Reissues have reignited interest
Best investments:
Satin slip dresses
Logo corsets
Velvet tailoring
7. Ralph Lauren Purple Label & Collection
While more classic in aesthetic, Ralph Lauren’s high-end lines maintain value due to quality and wearability.
Why:
Low production, high-end tailoring
Strong demand in menswear resale
Best investments:
Cashmere outerwear
Heritage tweeds
Wool suits
Explore more in:
📍 Ultimate Guide to Ralph Lauren Investment Pieces
8. Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood archive pieces—especially tailoring—have seen surging value posthumously.
Why:
British fashion heritage
Sustainability relevance
Cult Gen Z revival
Best investments:
Tartan mini skirts
Corset tops
Blazers and orb logo pieces
9. Maison Margiela
Artisanal and numbered collections consistently command top resale prices.
Why:
Avant-garde design with limited release
Deconstruction trend influence
High editorial and academic interest
Best investments:
Numbered line pieces (0–6)
Tabi boots
Deconstructed outerwear
10. Comme des Garçons
Especially the Rei Kawakubo-designed lines, which are highly collectible and museum-worthy.
Why:
Conceptual fashion
Cult fashion week status
Gender-fluid shaping
Best investments:
Runway coats and blazers
Tulle-structured pieces
Collaboration capsules (e.g., H&M, Supreme)
Other Honourable Mentions
Bode (New York): Patchwork heritage shirts now fetch 2–3x retail
The Row: Luxe tailoring and knitwear with enduring minimalism
Prada: Nylon reissues and 90s archive resurface every few years
Marine Serre: Moon-print archive gaining value fast
Burberry (Heritage Trench): Limited editions hold value well
Tellar.co.uk: Your Fit for Designer Investment Pieces
Before you buy a collector’s item, ensure the fit is perfect—especially when shopping online or second-hand.
Tellar.co.uk helps you match your body measurements to 1,500+ brands, including luxury designers. Whether you’re buying new or resale, you’ll know the right size instantly.
✅ Use your bust, waist, and hip measurements
✅ Or enter a brand you already own
✅ Tellar tells you your exact size in any label
✅ Ideal for designer resale sites or archive hunting
How to Use Tellar.co.uk
Create your free profile
Use the Store Size Lookup
Download a free printable measuring tape
Find your exact size in real-time across 1,500+ brands
No more guesswork. No more returns. No more wrong vintage sizing.
Explore now:
📍 The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide
Follow Tellar for Daily Fashion & Fit Advice
Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Final Word
Fashion doesn’t have to be disposable. With the right knowledge and tools, you can buy clothing that grows in value, wears beautifully, and becomes part of your personal archive.
Tellar.co.uk gives you the fit confidence to shop investment fashion properly—knowing your exact size, understanding the designer’s cut, and getting it right the first time.
Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.
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