50+ Brands to Look For at Thrift Stores
A reseller's sourcing cheat sheet. Which labels to grab immediately, what's worth $100+, and what to skip unless it's special.
Labels to grab immediately (no checking needed)
If you see any of these labels on the rack, pick them up first and inspect later. These brands hold enough value that even Fair-condition items are worth reselling.
Hermes — Orange label, horse-and-carriage logo. Even a silk scarf can sell for $150-400. Bags start at $2,000+. See prices
Chanel — Black and white woven label, interlocking CC logo. Tweed jackets $500-2,000+, bags $1,500-5,000+. See prices
Burberry — Look for the nova check lining inside coats and jackets. Vintage trench coats sell for $200-600. See prices
Canada Goose — Red, white, and blue circular arm patch. Hard to miss. Parkas sell for $300-700 used. See prices
Arc'teryx — Fossil bird (Archaeopteryx) logo. Any Gore-Tex shell or hardshell jacket is worth $100-350. See prices
Moncler — Circular blue, white, and red patch on the arm. Puffer jackets sell for $250-700. See prices
High value finds: $100+ resale potential
Designer and luxury brands that consistently sell for over $100 on resale platforms. Worth buying at thrift store prices even in Good or Fair condition.
| Brand | What to Look For | Resale Range |
|---|---|---|
| Louis Vuitton | Monogram bags, scarves, belts | $200-1,500 |
| Gucci | GG canvas bags, horsebit loafers, belts | $150-900 |
| Prada | Nylon bags, Saffiano leather, triangle logo | $100-800 |
| Dior | Saddle bags, Lady Dior, oblique print | $200-2,000 |
| Saint Laurent | Leather jackets, bags, Chelsea boots | $150-800 |
| Bottega Veneta | Intrecciato weave bags, Cassette bag | $200-1,000 |
| Fendi | Baguette bag, FF logo items, Peekaboo | $150-800 |
| Loewe | Puzzle bag, Hammock, anagram logo | $200-1,200 |
| Valentino | Rockstud bags and shoes, V-logo items | $100-600 |
| Max Mara | Teddy coats, 101801 Icon coat, wool coats | $100-500 |
| Versace | Medusa head items, silk shirts, baroque print | $100-500 |
| Givenchy | Antigona bags, star print, 4G logo | $100-600 |
Medium value finds: $30-100 resale potential
Premium and popular brands that reliably sell in the $30-100 range. Focus on outerwear, bags, and shoes for the best margins.
| Brand | Best Items to Grab | Resale Range |
|---|---|---|
| Patagonia | Retro-X fleeces, Nano Puff, Better Sweater | $40-120 |
| The North Face | Nuptse puffers, Denali fleece, Gore-Tex shells | $40-100 |
| Nike | Jordan 1s, Dunks, Air Max, vintage windbreakers | $30-200+ |
| Adidas | Samba, Gazelle, vintage tracksuits, collabs | $30-150+ |
| Acne Studios | Leather jackets, face-logo scarves, denim | $50-200 |
| Off-White | Arrow logo hoodies, diagonal stripes, belts | $50-250 |
| Stone Island | Compass patch items, cargo pants, overshirts | $60-250 |
| Carhartt | Detroit jackets, chore coats, WIP pieces | $30-100 |
| Hugo Boss | Suits, wool overcoats, Boss Orange jackets | $30-100 |
| Filippa K | Wool coats, silk blouses, minimalist knitwear | $30-90 |
| Sandro | Leather jackets, tweed blazers, dresses | $30-100 |
| Maje | Dresses, knit cardigans, leather pieces | $30-90 |
| New Balance | 990 series, Made in USA/UK, collabs | $40-150 |
| Balenciaga | Triple S, Track, Speed trainers, logo tees | $80-350 |
Worth picking up: $10-30 resale potential
Mid-range brands that sell reliably at lower price points. Best to pick up classic items that have consistent demand rather than trendy seasonal pieces.
| Brand | Best Items | Resale Range |
|---|---|---|
| Levi's | 501 originals, vintage pairs, trucker jackets | $15-60 |
| Ralph Lauren | Polo shirts, cable knit sweaters, blazers | $15-50 |
| Ganni | Printed wrap dresses, knits, boots | $25-80 |
| COS | Wool coats, structured dresses, merino knits | $15-45 |
| Tommy Hilfiger | Vintage flag logo items, windbreakers | $15-40 |
| Calvin Klein | Vintage CK jeans, 90s logo items | $10-35 |
| Ted Baker | Blazers, printed dresses, wool coats | $15-45 |
| Reiss | Blazers, wool coats, tailored pieces | $15-40 |
| & Other Stories | Leather items, knits, popular prints | $10-35 |
| AllSaints | Leather jackets (Balfern, Cargo), suede pieces | $30-90 |
| Tiger of Sweden | Suits, wool overcoats, tailored pieces | $20-60 |
Skip these unless they're special
Fast fashion brands rarely justify the time to photograph, list, and ship. The margins are too thin after platform fees. Exceptions:
| Brand | Skip Unless... |
|---|---|
| H&M | Designer collab (H&M x Balmain, x Versace, x Maison Margiela) or NWT |
| Zara | SRPLS or Studio line, NWT, or viral trending item |
| Uniqlo | Designer collab (Uniqlo x JW Anderson, x Lemaire) or +J line |
| ASOS | NWT with current-season style, bundles only |
| Mango | Premium line, NWT, leather items |
| Gap | Vintage (pre-2005), NWT, or Yeezy Gap collab |
| Primark | Almost never worth it. Skip. |
Pro tips for finding valuable items at thrift stores
- Check labels, not hangers — Thrift stores organize by size or color, not brand. Flip through labels quickly. A Chanel jacket sits on the same rack as a Gap one.
- Feel the fabric — Cashmere, silk, and high-quality wool feel different from polyester. If it feels expensive, check the composition label. 100% cashmere or silk signals a premium brand even if you don't recognize the name.
- Look for natural fibers — Composition labels that say "100% wool", "100% cashmere", "100% silk", or "100% leather" indicate higher-quality items that hold resale value better.
- Check country of origin — "Made in Italy", "Made in France", and "Made in Japan" often indicate premium manufacturing. Even lesser-known brands with Italian or French production tend to use better materials.
- Inspect zippers and hardware — High-quality zippers from YKK Excella, Riri, or Lampo are used by premium and luxury brands. Heavy metal hardware (not painted plastic) indicates quality construction.
- Shop the outerwear section first — Coats and jackets have the highest resale value relative to thrift store price. A $15 thrift store coat can sell for $100+ if it's the right brand.
- Don't overlook accessories — Check the bag, belt, and scarf sections. Designer accessories are sometimes priced at $5-10 at thrift stores and resell for $50-500.
- Buy off-season, sell in-season — Winter coats appear at thrift stores in spring when people clean out closets. Buy them cheap, store them, and list them in September when demand peaks.
- Visit regularly — Thrift store inventory turns over constantly. The best finds go quickly. Weekly visits to your best-performing stores will yield more results than occasional deep dives.
- Use your phone — When you find an unknown brand, snap a photo and check the price on thrift.guide before buying. It takes 30 seconds and prevents overbuying.
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Upload a photoFrequently asked questions
What brands are worth money at thrift stores?
The most valuable thrift store finds are designer labels like Hermes, Chanel, and Dior (worth $200-$3,000+). Luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry ($100-$900). Premium outerwear from Canada Goose, Arc'teryx, and Moncler ($80-$500). Mid-range classics like Levi's 501 jeans, Ralph Lauren polo shirts, and Ganni dresses ($25-$100). Even Carhartt, Patagonia, and The North Face jackets regularly sell for $40-$120 on resale platforms.
How do I know if thrift store clothes are valuable?
Check the label first — brand name is the biggest value indicator. Then feel the fabric: natural fibers like cashmere, silk, wool, and leather signal quality and higher resale value. Look for 'Made in Italy', 'Made in France', or 'Made in Japan' on labels, which often indicate premium manufacturing. Check for unique details like metal hardware, branded zippers (YKK Excella, Riri, Lampo), and quality stitching. When in doubt, snap a photo and check the price on thrift.guide.
What should I look for when thrift shopping to resell?
Focus on categories that hold value: outerwear (coats, jackets), bags, and shoes. Skip t-shirts and shorts unless they're designer or vintage. Check high-value sections first: coats, blazers, denim, and the accessories/bag area. Look for designer brands mixed in with regular clothing — thrift stores sometimes misprice luxury items. Always check condition before buying: no stains, intact zippers, no pilling on knits. Seasonal sourcing helps: buy winter coats in spring when thrift stores have excess stock, and sell them in fall.
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