When you think of investments, your mind probably goes straight to stocks, real estate, or crypto. But lately, the smartest players in the room are turning their attention to something far more stylish: pre-loved fashion. A rare Rolex, a vintage Chanel, or a pristine Hermès Birkin might just outperform traditional markets. And they do it while hanging elegantly on your wrist or perched on your arm.
Welcome to the world where fashion meets finance, and where buying wisely today can mean serious returns tomorrow, all while embracing a more mindful, style-driven approach to investment.
The Rise of Fashion as an Asset Class
Luxury resale is no longer niche. It’s a booming global industry, estimated to reach $350 billion by 2027, according to ThredUp’s 2023 Resale Report. And within this ecosystem, select pieces are appreciating at a pace that’s catching the eye of not just collectors, but investors too.
The appeal? Tangible assets, cultural cachet, limited supply, and global demand. With resale values steadily increasing, certain designer items have become long-term value holders and sought-after portfolio pieces in the wardrobes of discerning shoppers.
1. Hermès Birkin & Kelly: The Gold Standard of Fashion Investments
No list of high-performing fashion assets is complete without the Hermès Birkin or Kelly. These bags are not just symbols of status. They are carefully crafted, extremely limited, and notoriously difficult to buy directly from the brand.
In fact, resale prices often exceed retail by 20% to 120%, depending on rarity, material, and condition. Exotic leather Birkins, especially in colors like Vert Cypress or Rose Scheherazade, command premium prices and have historically outperformed gold in value retention.
Case in point: A 25 cm Himalayan Birkin with diamond hardware sold for over $300,000 at Sotheby’s 2022 Hong Kong auction, a staggering leap from its original retail price.
2. Chanel Flap Bags: A Classic That Keeps Climbing
Few pieces age as well as Chanel flap bags. From vintage gems to more recent classics, especially those designed under Karl Lagerfeld, these icons of fashion have consistently proven their value on the resale market. The brand’s regular price hikes, limited production runs, and enduring appeal have turned both vintage and newer Classic Flaps into powerful resale assets.
The Chanel Classic Flap in caviar leather, especially styles from the 90s or with 24k gold-plated hardware, has seen prices nearly double in the last five years. Meanwhile, contemporary iterations in seasonal colors or tweed and velvet finishes often sell out fast and fetch a premium.
Whether it’s a sought-after vintage piece or a recent drop, Chanel flap bags remain one of the most dependable and desirable investments in fashion today.
3. Watches: For Wrist and Worth
Luxury watches aren’t just tools to tell time; they’re blue-chip investments on your wrist. Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Cartier consistently top resale charts, particularly discontinued or limited-edition models.
Take the Rolex Daytona or Submariner; both have waitlists years long, and their resale prices often surpass retail by 50-100%. A stainless steel Daytona can easily fetch double its boutique price in pristine condition.
Even other editions, like vintage Cartier Tank watches, have appreciated significantly, thanks to revived interest in classic aesthetics and celebrity endorsements. Across the board, high-value models from Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus, and Vacheron Constantin Overseas have seen demand surge in recent years. Limited production, horological pedigree, and waiting lists stretching into years make these timepieces prime candidates for significant resale value growth.
Unlike traditional investments, these pieces hold both sentimental and functional value. They’re used, admired, and still appreciated over time.
Recent high-profile auctions underscore the market’s strength. In 2025, a Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman John Player Special” sold for approximately $1.2 million at Geneva’s spring watch auctions. That same event saw an F.P. Journe x THA timepiece hit $6.5 million, while a Philippe Dufour Grande & Petite Sonnerie with sapphire dial fetched $3.7 million at Phillips New York Watch Auction XI in 2024. And who could forget the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-018 “Tiffany Blue,” which broke records at over $5.3 million in 2021? These sales prove that timepieces aren’t just coveted, they’re climbing.
4. Iconic Jewelry: Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and More
When it comes to high-retention jewelry, Cartier’s Love and Juste un Clou bracelets remain undefeated. According to the 2022 Clair Report, Cartier pieces retain an average of 79% of their value at resale, with the Love bracelet specifically holding up to 95% of its original value. This makes it not only a timeless staple but also a strategic investment piece. Their resale value can reach up to 90% of retail, and in some cases, even higher for limited-edition versions or full-diamond pieces.
Similarly, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra necklaces and bracelets are hot commodities in the resale market. The rarity of specific stones, like malachite, onyx, or guilloché gold, can significantly bump up pricing.
These pieces don’t just accessorize. They perform like portable equity.
5. Limited-Edition Collabs & Runway Drops
The resale market thrives on rarity, and few items are rarer than limited-edition designer collaborations. Think Louis Vuitton x Supreme, Nike x Dior, or any capsule drop that had people queuing for hours (or refreshing pages online).
These pieces are often resold at multiples of their original price within days of release. For example, the Louis Vuitton x Supreme 2017 red monogram hoodie resold for up to $7,500, far above its original price. The Nike x Dior Air Jordan 1s retailed around $2,000 and later fetched over $10,000, depending on size and condition. Collaborations like Gucci x The North Face and Prada x Adidas also saw pieces sell out instantly and now command high resale prices. These limited drops blur the line between fashion and financial assets.
Collectors treat these like art: wearable, rare, and likely to be appreciated.
6. Old Céline & Archive Fashion
Phoebe Philo-era Old Céline is now considered a cult collectible. Her minimalist silhouettes, clean lines, and anti-trend sensibility have aged beautifully. As her new brand launches, interest in her original designs is resurging, especially on the resale market.
Fashion insiders are also hunting for archive pieces from designers like Tom Ford-era Gucci or Galliano-era Dior. These pieces, often worn once on runways or campaigns, carry a narrative that enhances their value. Look ahead—J.W. Anderson’s early Loewe designs may soon join the vanguard of archive investment pieces.
Fashion Meets Sustainability
What makes these investments even more appealing? They’re sustainable.
Buying and selling pre-loved extends the lifecycle of a luxury item, reduces waste, and lowers the environmental footprint of fashion consumption. Unlike fast fashion, these pieces are built to last and hold value while doing so.
Investing and participating in resale isn’t just smart for your wallet. It’s kinder to the planet. The growing awareness around mindful consumption is another reason why demand continues to rise.
Resale is no longer about getting a good deal. It’s about building a smart, conscious, and valuable wardrobe. Whether you’re buying your first authentic Cartier bracelet or adding a vintage Chanel to your collection, think of it as a strategic move. Because sometimes, the best-performing assets aren’t sitting in a vault.
At The Luxury Closet, even A-listers are embracing the shift, with our “Celebrity Closets” campaign featuring names like Huda Kattan, Mona Kattan, Fatma Husam, Lojain Omran, and more. Their pre-loved designer treasures have helped reshape resale into a symbol of aspirational, mindful fashion.
Ready to invest in fashion with real value? Shop the most coveted pre-loved pieces now on The Luxury Closet.
