10 Most Coveted Luxury Fashion Brands for Gen Z to Resale and Shop Vintage
Christian Vierig/Getty Images (Edited)
Thanks to the Internet-driven high tide of vintage and designer clothing, pieces from luxury fashion brands are now being passed down to another generation (and in amazing condition) regardless of family ties. Vintage shopping — once a niche, novel way to upgrade one's wardrobe — is now the norm, especially for Gen Z. Resale is now officially part of the mainstream style game. It's gotten to the point where even brand-new luxury items purchased today are bought with potential resale value in mind. TikTok is full of videos advising which luxury items and brands maintain value over time — and there's no wonder why.
Popular resale retailer The RealReal released its 2024 Luxury Resale Report, which, as its name suggests, examines trends and stats on luxury consignment, and this year, the vibes are shifting from the runway to real life. “Fashion is undergoing a seismic shift," Rati Sahi Levesque, president of The RealReal, says in the report. “Trends less frequently flow from the top and are now emerging from the ground up through things like TikTok, television shows, and everyday street style."
According to Levesque, consumers are looking to culture to shape their wardrobes, which is “driving demand for unique, high-value items that reflect their personal style.” Consumers want to invest in quality and order values are rising, which means shoppers want items that will last and retain their value.
If you are looking into investing, shopping vintage (for sustainability or other reasons), or are simply fascinated by the ever-changing resale world, below we have highlighted some of the all-time popular luxury fashion brands and on-demand ones for Gen Z, according to The RealReal's report and in no particular order.
Prada
Prada is Gen Z's number-one most-searched brand on The RealReal, in part because of its alignment with the Y2K aesthetic. Both vintage and current-day Prada are popular choices, especially with the popularity of the “office siren” look. The RealReal also speculates that the popularity of “old school” TV shows like Sex and the City and The Sopranos may have contributed to Prada's popularity with a new generation, as shoppers search for items seen onscreen.
Tessuto Messenger Bag
$235.00, therealreal
Nappa Colour Bag
$525.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
Chanel
It'll come as no surprise that another luxury heavy hitter, Chanel, is popular with Gen Z; according to the report, Gen Zers are constantly looking for Chanel shoes on the platform. The report also notes that the Chanel Mini 22 Hobo is a trending bag with a reliable resale return on investment.
2013-2014 Timeless Wallet
$450.00, therealreal
Executive Cerf Tote
$1125.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
Gucci
Gucci has dropped a few places on the list over the years, specifically after the departure of Alessandro Michele, who captivated celebs and luxury buyers alike with his over-the-top, retro-inspired aesthetic. While the Gucci look may have changed a bit recently, it's still a classic luxury brand worth a browse — especially if you're still looking for some “mob wife”-adjacent accessories.
Silk Solid Tie
$95.00, therealreal
GG Canvas Shoulder Bag
$895.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton's iconic LV emblem is one of the most recognizable and copycatted signets in the world. Gen Z love it for a reason — it is so instantly recognizable and classic, but it has also taken on this ability to be edgy and new with the help of people like the late Virgil Abloh and the celebrities chosen to represent the brand, like Stray Kids' Felix and Squid Game's breakout star Hoyeon Jung — both global ambassadors for the luxury brand. Pharrell Williams, recently named as men's creative director, has had quite an impact on LV's popularity, lifting the brand to the number-one spot for 2024.
Monogram Cartouchière MM
$675.00, therealreal
Vintage 1999 Key Holder
$105.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
Loewe
Call it the Challengers effect. The Spanish brand Loewe has had a massive few years, and it shows; the brand nabbed a spot on the top-11 list thanks to its Puzzle Bags — which have a slightly more accessible price point than their luxury peers — and its current red carpet domination.
Anagram Tote
$255.00, therealreal
Xl Flamenco Clutch
$2395.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
The Row
The Olsen sisters' brand is the definition of quiet luxury, and its oversized Margaux Bag is its crown jewel this year. According to the report, the Margaux had the biggest uptick in Row bag searches this year. (The bag is also one of the most-faked styles of late, with “superfakes” boasting an “attention to detail authenticators have seldom seen before.”)
Suede Bindle Hobo
$1175.00, therealreal
Leather Flip Flops
$385.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
Miu Miu
Prada's little sister is another enduring fave, especially with Gen Z. Miu Miu won points for its more accessible, less logo-heavy handbags. According to the report, shoppers are spending more on bags than ever, but they're gravitating toward more attainable bags from smaller brands, including Miu Miu, Loewe, Toteme, and Mulberry.
Leather Wallet
$265.00, therealreal
Leather Crossbody Bag
$525.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
Celine
Old Celine, new Celine, the gang's all here! The French brand, currently designed by the legendary Hedi Slimane, has climbed up The RealReal list in part because of its trendy but classic Triomphe bag and belt. Celine is all about simple, minimal, French girl chic.
Macadam Boston Bag
$425.00, therealreal
Leather Big Bucket w/Strap
$975.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
Dior
For shoppers living the Y2K life, look no further than Dior. The brand's sunglasses, saddle bags, and logo-print accessories are a great way to infuse a little '00s into your look. On the flip side, the quilted Lady Bag — a fave of Princess Diana, NBD — is a classic investment piece that continues to be a popular pick.
Cannage Tote
$395.00, therealreal
Leather Crossbody Bag
$295.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
Bottega Veneta
It's all about the bags with Milan-based Bottega Veneta; the brand's woven leather Veneta Andiamo tote is one of The Real Real's top picks for a luxury bag with a high resale value at the moment. (Pro tip: Vintage Bottega is also worth a scroll or two.)
Card Holder Intrecciato Weave Card Holder
$355.00, therealreal
Intrecciato Crossbody Bag
$455.00, therealreal
GREY LINE
Honorable mention: Underrated brands
Get ahead of the next cool brand! Underrated brands making a comeback include Bally, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Claude Montana, Courrèges, St. John, Romeo Gigli, and Gianfranco Ferré, so start scrolling and snap them up before their prices go up! (Also, searches for unbranded vintage are up 201% this year compared to last, so don't shy away from no-name gems!)
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
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