What are these vintage Levis worth?

These were given to me by a boyfriend 15+ years ago. Is there a good resources for understanding there value? Not sure I want them hanging around any more. I have a few more that I'm also considering purging. Thanks.

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10 years ago

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from viva

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lets see them ON to determine any real value I guess.

10 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I'm not sure but I've seen vintage men's Levis being sold back to the Buffalo Exchange (young trendy used clothing/consignment store) so I think there is probably a resale market.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

oooooooh. You don't actually want to wear them yourself. I was confused - (501s were unisex, so I assumed).

10 years ago

amiable

Veteran

I tried to sell some vintage Levi's locally a few weeks ago, and didn't succeed in even getting $5 for them. Good luck!

10 years ago

Veteran

Angie: I would try them on for you but I need to loose several pounds to fit into these puppies. But I'm working on it. And yes, I'm thinking of selling these if they are worth something vs. taking to Goodwill...

Thanks rabbit and amiable...I could consider finding a vintage shop. And I should research ebay. Not an ebay pro.

10 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Check on Etsy maybe...

10 years ago

Anonymous

$4 at the Goodwill.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

My consignment shop (deals in a lot of great brands like Free People, AG, Current Elliott, Theory, and Nanette Lepore with the occasional LV and Hermes) has a pair right now, very similar, on sale for $52, which means the consignor will get $26. That's in Portsmouth NH. You'd make more selling direct through ebay, but the challenge is that with those old Levis, the sizing is so hard to gauge that you really need to try them on, which may make them a tough sell that way -- I'm not sure. You might want to try shopping them around to your better consignment shops. Good luck! I wish I lived near you. I'd love to see them!

10 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Ebay's recently started an 'ebay valet' program where you send them your stuff and they photograph and post it for you, taking a 20% cut when it sells. Might be worth trying if you don't want to fuss with it yourself.

I know next to nothing about vintage Levi's and what's valued and what's not. Most people wouldn't pay more for them than they could pay at the thrift store ($5-10), but there may be collectors out there who will pay much more - but presumably only for particular eras and versions.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

They're definitely having a moment of sorts.

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10 years ago

trekkiegirl

Veteran

I have no idea, but I like them!

10 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

This is an interesting thread, because it really illustrates to me how much what is desirable varies by location/retail niche/season. I'm in Portland Oregon, and (if I remember correctly) there was a picker in line in front of me at the shop I mentioned selling back men's jeans--I saw several button-fly Levi's--and getting in the 10-30$ range for them, which would be 30% of what they were resold for. I think the cut/wash/era probably matter quite a lot.

I've also noticed that Goodwill in my town is a bit behind the times with which brands they price as premium, and which they don't -- and they don't distinguish between eras/cuts of course. Sometimes this can work in your favor as a shopper.

10 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Check this link for what Vintage Levi's (women's jeans) have sold for on eBay. As you can see you can get anywhere from $3-100 depending on how you market them, the fit details, distressing etc. These don't have the rips and tears that can increase the value, but if the fit is similar to some that have gone for more, you could do well.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Jeans-.....intage+lev

10 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

Barney's just started carrying this brand RE/DONE which upcycles vintage Levi's. They sell for hundreds, but only after a lot of tailoring.
http://thewindow.barneys.com/introducing-redone/
They get theirs from rag houses (leftovers from clothing donation) rather than buying from consignment stores.

Here in SF, Wasteland or Sui Generis or more vintage-focused stores would probably sell them for a fair bit of money. Crossroads here is more interested in current mainstream brands than edgy trends, but I bet they'd buy them (but sell them for less than Wasteland).

10 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

To Greyscale's point, the Levi's that went for $100 on eBay were also tailored. So for the most part, the untailored vintage ones go for under $20 on eBay.

10 years ago

Jeanie

Veteran

To the right person they are priceless.! There is nothing like the softness of a pair of worn in Levis. I like mine for yard work. I guess I am not much help but it looks like the others gave you some good advice.

10 years ago

kkards

Veteran

there are a number of sites that will help you determine the age of your jeans, which will help you value them…
http://www.denimtraders.com/vintage.html

10 years ago

Veteran

All, thank you for the resources! These are great. Lots to think about. I'm struggling with keeping these. I've gained 15 pounds that will need to come off. But I've started. So maybe just put them away for a few months...

Viva/Greyscale: You're making want to keep them! Ugh. I was trying to continue purging.

Rabbit: Regional differences are very interesting.

10 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yes, what Denise said. Good idea to come back to them in a few months; they won't get any less vintage cool in the meantime.

10 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

I super regret having given away my 501s (a long time ago). So for what it's worth, if I were you, I'd keep them a little longer as others suggested...

10 years ago

Veteran

Rae/K.M. -- Based on your posts, I just pulled out two other pairs of vintage 501's from the consignment pile. I'll keep them too. It is so hard for me to keep some of my skinny pieces when I'm not able to fit into them. But I have renewed motivation to get back to that weight. Thanks for your comments.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

AM: Saw this on Man Repeller and thought of you. Definitely worth reading if you've still got that pile of Levis.

http://www.manrepeller.com/201.....r-you.html

10 years ago

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