Premium Designer Brands Worth Hunting
These luxury and designer brands represent the holy grail of thrift shopping. Finding authentic pieces from these labels can provide incredible value and timeless style.
Ultra-Luxury Fashion Houses
European Luxury
Chanel (especially vintage quilted bags)
Louis Vuitton (check for authenticity)
Hermès (scarves, ties, leather goods)
Gucci (vintage pieces especially valuable)
Prada (bags, shoes, outerwear)
Burberry (trench coats, scarves)
American Luxury
Coach (leather goods, vintage pieces)
Tiffany & Co. (jewelry, accessories)
Kate Spade (bags, accessories)
Michael Kors (contemporary luxury)
Marc Jacobs (clothing, bags)
Tory Burch (shoes, bags, clothing)
Authentication Tips:
- • Check serial numbers and authenticity cards
- • Examine stitching quality and hardware details
- • Feel the materials - authentic luxury items use premium materials
- • Research current market values before purchasing
- • When in doubt, consult authentication services
Contemporary Designer Brands
Women's Designer Fashion
• Diane von Furstenberg
• Theory & Helmut Lang
• Eileen Fisher
• Rebecca Minkoff
• Alice + Olivia
• Rag & Bone
• Equipment & Vince
• Joie & Splendid
• Current/Elliott
• Citizens of Humanity
• 7 For All Mankind
• True Religion
Men's Premium Brands
• Hugo Boss & Armani
• Paul Smith
• Ted Baker
• John Varvatos
• Rag & Bone Men's
• Bonobos & Buck Mason
• Vince & Theory Men's
• Brunello Cucinelli
• Stone Island
• A.P.C.
Excellent Mid-Range and Accessible Brands
These brands offer exceptional quality and style at more accessible price points. Perfect for building a quality wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Professional & Business Casual
Premium Basics:
- • Brooks Brothers (classic American)
- • Ralph Lauren & Polo
- • J.Crew & J.Crew Factory
- • Banana Republic
- • Ann Taylor & LOFT
- • Talbots (classic women's)
Contemporary Suiting:
- • Calvin Klein
- • Kenneth Cole
- • Perry Ellis
- • Elie Tahari
- • Tahari ASL
- • Lafayette 148
Casual & Lifestyle Brands
Premium Casual:
- • Patagonia (outdoor gear)
- • L.L.Bean (outdoor classics)
- • Eddie Bauer
- • Lands' End
- • Columbia Sportswear
- • The North Face
Fashion Forward:
- • Madewell (denim specialist)
- • Everlane (sustainable basics)
- • Anthropologie
- • Free People
- • Urban Outfitters
- • Zara (fast fashion)
Denim & Specialty Items
Premium Denim:
- • Levi's (vintage especially valuable)
- • Lucky Brand
- • AG Adriano Goldschmied
- • Paige Denim
- • Hudson Jeans
- • Joe's Jeans
Athletic & Active:
- • Lululemon (yoga & athleisure)
- • Athleta (Gap's athletic line)
- • Under Armour
- • Nike & Adidas
- • Puma & Reebok
- • Champion (vintage)
Vintage & Retro Brands to Treasure
Iconic Vintage Clothing Brands
1970s-1980s Gold
Pendleton: Wool shirts, blazers, and skirts - Pacific Northwest heritage brand known for quality woolens and Native American-inspired patterns.
Woolrich: Outdoor clothing and blankets dating back to 1830s. Vintage pieces are highly collectible and durable.
Gunne Sax: Jessica McClintock's romantic prairie dresses and formal wear popular in the 1970s-80s.
Diane von Furstenberg: Original wrap dresses from the 1970s are iconic and still fashionable today.
1990s Revival Pieces
Band & Concert Tees: Original tour merchandise from the 90s grunge era, especially Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.
Tommy Hilfiger: 90s oversized pieces and logo wear are experiencing a major comeback.
Calvin Klein Jeans: High-waisted vintage CK jeans and minimalist pieces from the 90s aesthetic.
Starter Jackets: Sports team jackets and athletic wear from the 90s streetwear era.
Collectible Vintage Categories
Workwear & Americana
Carhartt: Vintage work jackets and overalls are trendy and durable. Look for pieces from the 80s and 90s.
Dickies: Classic work pants and shirts that never go out of style in streetwear culture.
Lee & Wrangler: Vintage denim and western wear, especially pieces made in USA.
Harley Davidson: Vintage motorcycle merchandise and leather jackets are always in demand.
Sports & University Gear
Champion: Vintage reverse weave sweatshirts and university apparel from the 80s-90s.
Russell Athletic: Collegiate and pro sports team gear, especially from defunct teams.
Starter: Satin team jackets and caps from the 90s sports craze.
College & University: Any vintage university sweatshirts, especially from prestigious schools.
Home Goods & Lifestyle Brand Guide
Kitchen & Cookware Treasures
Premium Cookware
Le Creuset: French enameled cast iron cookware. Even used pieces retain significant value due to lifetime durability.
Staub: Similar to Le Creuset, German-made cast iron with distinctive black interior coating.
Lodge Cast Iron: American-made skillets and Dutch ovens. Vintage pieces are especially prized.
All-Clad: Professional-grade stainless steel cookware beloved by chefs and home cooks.
Calphalon: Hard-anodized aluminum cookware sets often found at great prices.
Vintage Kitchen Collectibles
• Pyrex: Vintage patterns (especially rare colors) are highly collectible
• Corningware: Classic white with blue cornflower pattern pieces
• Fiestaware: Homer Laughlin's colorful dinnerware, vintage colors most valuable
• Dansk: Mid-century modern Danish design pieces
• Arabia Finland: Scandinavian ceramic dinnerware and serving pieces
Furniture & Home Decor
Mid-Century Modern Masters
Herman Miller: Eames chairs, Nelson furniture, and other iconic pieces command high prices.
Knoll: Modernist furniture including Saarinen tulip chairs and Barcelona chairs.
West Elm: Contemporary pieces with mid-century inspiration at accessible prices.
Lane Furniture: 1960s-70s American furniture maker known for quality construction.
Heywood-Wakefield: Blonde wood furniture from the 1940s-50s, highly collectible.
Contemporary Home Brands
• Pottery Barn: Classic American home furnishings and decor
• Crate & Barrel: Modern furniture and housewares with clean lines
• Williams Sonoma: Premium kitchen and dining accessories
• Restoration Hardware: Industrial and classic reproduction furniture
• Anthropologie Home: Eclectic, bohemian-inspired home accessories
Authentication & Value Assessment Guide
How to Spot Authentic Designer Items
Label and Tag Inspection
- Check for correct spelling, font, and logo placement
- Examine care labels for quality and proper information
- Look for serial numbers or authenticity codes
- Verify country of origin matches brand standards
Construction Quality Markers
- Straight, even stitching with quality thread
- High-quality hardware (zippers, buttons, buckles)
- Proper alignment of patterns and seams
- Luxurious feel of materials and fabrics
Red Flags for Counterfeits
- Misspellings or incorrect logos
- Poor stitching or cheap materials
- Prices that seem too good to be true
- Lack of authenticity cards or serial numbers
Researching Value and Pricing
Online Research Tools
- eBay "Sold" Listings: Check what similar items actually sold for
- Poshmark & Mercari: Current market values for secondhand designer items
- TheRealReal & Vestiaire: Authenticated luxury consignment pricing
- WorthPoint: Historical pricing data for collectibles and vintage items
Mobile Apps for Quick Research
- • Google Lens: Visual search for brand identification
- • eBay Mobile: Quick "sold" listing searches
- • Entrupy: AI-powered authentication for luxury items
- • Check Check: Sneaker authentication service
Calculating Investment Potential
Quick ROI Formula:
Expected Resale Value ÷ Thrift Price = ROI Multiple
Example: $200 bag for $15 = 13x return potential
Aim for items with 5x+ return potential for worthwhile flips
Hidden Gems & Under-the-Radar Brands
These lesser-known brands offer exceptional quality and value but are often overlooked by casual thrifters. Knowing these names can lead to incredible finds.
International Quality Brands
Cos (H&M's Premium Line): Minimalist Scandinavian design with quality construction.
& Other Stories: European fashion with artistic collaborations and unique prints.
Acne Studios: Swedish fashion house known for innovative denim and outerwear.
Ganni: Danish brand with colorful, playful designs that's trending globally.
A.P.C.: French minimalist brand with cult following for quality basics.
Comme des Garçons: Japanese avant-garde fashion, even diffusion lines are valuable.
American Heritage & Craftsmanship
Filson: Pacific Northwest heritage brand known for rugged outdoor gear and bags.
Red Wing Shoes: American-made work boots that last decades and improve with age.
Barbour: British waxed jackets beloved by outdoors enthusiasts and fashion insiders.
Orslow: Japanese brand making heritage American workwear and denim.
Universal Works: British workwear-inspired clothing with modern fits.
Folk: London-based brand combining British tailoring with contemporary design.