The world of fashion resale is filled with endless brands and styles. But not all pieces are worth listing. Knowing how quality items are made and what to look for helps your team sort products without needing to keep up with every new brand or trend.
In our June Master Class, we taught teams how to tell the difference between everyday fashion and high-value resale items.
🎥 Watch the full 30-minute Master Class or dive into the first 10 minutes below to get started.
Ready to spot real luxury? Download our Handbag Examination Guide to get expert tips on identifying authentic designer bags, spotting top brands, and knowing when to bring in the pros.
Understanding Brand Tiers: Value to Luxury
In fashion resale, knowing who owns a brand and what tier that brand falls under can make a huge difference. Some brands are exclusive and high-end, while others are made for everyday shoppers. These umbrella companies manage different brands across pricing levels, from value to luxury.
For example, a well-known company, Gap Inc., owns these four brands:
- Old Navy: Entry-level, mass market, value-focused.
- GAP: Mid-tier, casual basics, wide distribution.
- Banana Republic: Upper mid-tier, elevated essentials.
- Athleta: Premium activewear, female-focused.
🔥Athleta’s resale value topped $45K last year. See where it ranks and what it means for your sourcing strategy in the 2024 Brands Analysis Guide.
The resale value of an item isn’t just about whether it’s worn or new. It’s also about how people perceive the brand. Knowing where a brand fits helps your team:
✅ Make faster and smarter pricing decisions
✅ Use accurate descriptions that match customer expectations
✅ Identify which items may need more marketing or authentication
Let this knowledge guide how you list, sort, and price fashion across your store or online platform.
Spot the Real from the Replica
Reselling luxury fashion is about more than just knowing the brand. It’s about spotting the real thing. Fake bags and knockoff clothes can show up anywhere, and it’s your job to catch the red flags before they’re listed online.
✅ Pro tip: Always take close-up photos of logos, serial tags, hardware, and linings before submitting to an authenticator.
What Real Luxury Looks (and Feels) Like
Start With the Materials
- Clothing: Look for soft, rich fabrics like cashmere, silk, wool, or Egyptian cotton. They feel smoother and last longer than cheap ones.
- Handbags: Luxury bags use real leather or strong canvas. The leather should feel thick and soft, not thin or stiff.
- Shoes: Look for real leather, suede, or fancy skins like python. The inside should be leather too—it makes the shoes more comfy over time.
Check the Construction
- Look at the Stitching: Seams should be neat and finished, not rough. Patterns (like stripes or logos) should line up. In clothes, linings are often silk and not synthetic.
- Check the Structure: Bags and shoes should hold their shape and feel strong. Stitches should be small, even, and clean. No loose threads, glue, or floppy parts.
- Inspect the Details: Hardware (like zippers and buttons) should be metal or natural materials like horn or shell, never flaking or cheap.
Details in the Label
- Clothing: The tag should be woven, not printed. Letters should be sharp and clear.
- Handbags: Logos should be centered and even. There may be a serial number stamped on the label.
- Shoes: Branding should be pressed into the shoe, not printed on the surface.
Luxury is about how well something is made. When you know what to look for, you’ll spot the difference right away.
Think it’s true luxury? Learn how to be sure. Download our Handbag Examination Guide and continue to learn more about authentication techniques and brand details.
Vintage vs. Retro: What’s the Difference?
“Vintage” usually means something that’s at least 20 years old. If it’s newer but has an old look, it’s called “retro.” If it’s a brand-new item made to copy an old one, it’s a “reproduction.”
To tell if something is truly vintage, look for clues like:
- Union labels from the 1930s–1980s
- Metal zippers or side zippers on dresses
- Heavier fabrics or older logos and fonts
Use era terms like “90s” or “Y2K” in your listings and be honest about flaws—they can add charm!
🛠️ Tools That Help You Sell
Here are a few free tools that make a big difference:
- Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource: Find out when a brand tag was used
- RN Number Lookup: Find the date and maker of U.S. garments
- Union Label Charts: Date items from U.S. unions
These tools help prove your item is real and make buyers more likely to trust you.
Final Tip: Think Like a Storyteller
Every great piece has a story. Your job is to find that story and share it. When you know how to tell the difference between cheap and chic, you can turn secondhand items into resale gold.