Vintage T-Shirt Forum & Community Authentication Appraisals

I've noticed that these items are fetching big prices recently at auction. For example this little jersey I picked up recently for a couple bucks sold for $147 between 7 bidders http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0201659604" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I bought initially because I have been noticing this trend, but I didn't expect it to be so desirable (I knew I had something when within the first 24 hours I had three offers). Some other items of note:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0358824778" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0354439305" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0444063697" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0492678540" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0451758936" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0365420447" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm trying to figure out what all these items have in common that makes them so desirable for collectors. These items are not particularly old, and I'd guess they date mostly from early 90's or late 80's. They are generally made in USA (but not exclusively). They are associated with gentry sport style (Polo, Tennis, Ski, Rugby).

Anyone know of any guides out there to vintage Ralph Lauren?

Sure do!

http://www.defunkd.com/blog.vintageafic ... you-ralph/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An excellent guide jimmy, that unfortunately I missed the first time around. You are indeed the Vintage Aficionado.

You date yourself a bit with the "cassette" reference. Last time I purchased a hip-hop album was when Wu-tang release that double cd...

This is crazy. These are ugly old shirts that most of us ship off to Africa. 100+? *Stares in disbelief*. I'm not even sure that they're rare enough to merit a $1000 sale.

Haha thankfully it wasn't 8-track.

Use the search bar on the blog side and enter "ralph lauren" you can see lots past items fetching crazy prices, like a painters cap for a couple of grand.

But these things were made just 10 years ago. I bet that anyone could pick up a similar grade "B" shirt at their local thrift shop and sell it online.

It's not that easy - not once in my thrift store journeys have I ever found an RL item. A lot of it was really expensive back then - definitely wasn't as mass produced as the majority of RL stuff.

I had no idea these RL items were desirable to anyone

Cool! Something new to look for in my travels.

The topic of the these RL items being worth big cash these days came up in conversation with my neighbor recently, who is not into vintage at all. His eyes got wide... He had worked at a RL outlet store in the early 90s.

He got on ebay and proceded to sell the RL tee he'd been wearing to mow the lawn in for over $400 and a hoodie for $750!

He's got the same sweatshirt with the tags still on it. Plus more with tags. He's steadily ebaying it all.

So this stuff is out there. But this is as close as I've ever come to finding a piece of it.

--J

haha, classic!

Funny you guys are all talking about this. Just last year I picked up a Cookie RL sweater for $3.29 and sold it for $265. A week later I found a Crest RL hoodie for the same price and sold it for close to $500. A thing I like to do is go to thrift stores near the wealthier neighborhoods in town. I've had pretty good luck finding old RL and other designer stuff relatively cheap at these. Everyone usually just scoops up the Ts there for eBay and doesn't even think twice about the value of early 90s RL. I'm hoping I get lucky soon again though...I haven't seen anything since last year like those two finds...bummer...

ha - you just jinxed yourself...! that's the way the vintage gods work, they shine down on you sometimes and then never bless you in the same way again.

I guess that's true...how do you get them to favor you again?!?!?!

You have to sacrifice a modern day reproduction and then chant, "unga bunga" while streaking through the quad to the gymnasium. Only then will you ever find RL vintage ever again.

Does Frank the Tank need to be present too? I'd make a sacrifice every week!

I have already said too much.

Just managed this score...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... _500wt_924" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The t's don't sell super-high, but I bet I can manage the opening bid.