Spring Fashion 2020: Sell These 5 Trends & Earn The Most

The secret workings of the fashion world can be unpredictable. Will that forgotten Gucci bag once popular in the aughts emerge as next season’s It bag, doubling in resale value? Will a new pair of Fendi shoes, inspired by the archives, become a sold-out-everywhere phenomenon? Will what’s in today be out tomorrow?

Though no one can predict with 100% certainty what designers will dream up next or what tastemakers will praise in a month, our team has their fingers on the pulse of everything resale. They did some digging and can report that the trends on the Spring 2020 runways will turn a tidy profit if you sell them now. Since trends are as cyclical as our “shop, consign, repeat” mantra, you’ve probably already got these pieces on hand, whether they’re from three seasons ago or the latest fashion drop. Get ready to spring-clean and work towards an extra special payday — Fashion Valuation Manager Billy Garcia and Women’s Editorial Lead Noelle Sciacca have the rundown on the top spring trends to sell now.

Consign Your Trench Coat

Trench coats were a staple on the runways of top brands like Balenciaga, J.W. Anderson and Loewe, urging demand for the iconic outerwear. “These designers showed updated versions of the trench coat, and each put their signature spin on it,” notes Garcia. Demna Gvasalia outfitted his Balenciaga iterations with pleats. J.W. Anderson played with crystals, ties and two-toned lapels. Others deconstructed them completely. “Trench coat purchases nearly doubled in January of this year, and we only expect this number to increase,” adds Sciacca.

If contemporary versions of the practical coat aren’t hanging unworn in your wardrobe, you can also cash out by selling a prototypical Burberry trench. “Burberry trench coats with a Nova check lining or accent retain a consistent resale value,” says Garcia, “with Burberry trenches overall holding up to 75% of their retail price in the secondary market. Though it also depends on style and condition, trenches hold a higher resale value than most pieces in the ready-to-wear category.” And according to Sciacca, “Unexpected materials and styles, like colored leather or coated canvas trenches, are also rising in popularity.”

Bank On New Bottega Veneta

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably aware that Daniel Lee’s Bottega Veneta designs have become street style mainstays. While Bottega Veneta scooped up accolades and awards like “Brand Of The Year” at the end of 2019, the house’s The Pouch, Cassette Bag, quilted pumps and oversized intrecciato slides became ubiquitous on the feeds of fashion’s elite. 

“Bottega Veneta has always been known for its artisanal leather goods and distinctive intrecciato leather weave,” explains Garcia, “but Daniel Lee’s pieces have something different, a look of owning your power and being sexy in a modern way. His time at Celine clearly gave him the tools to create designs that people crave.” 

These It items have also become prime pieces to flip in the resale market. “As Daniel Lee’s Bottega Veneta takes over our Instagram feeds, the brand’s resale value continues to climb, and shoppers’ interest has risen just as fast,” says Sciacca. “Everyone has Bottega fever, so if you’ve got the latest trending pieces, sell them now. We’ve seen Bottega Veneta purchases increase 40% year over year, and 13% month over month. Shoppers are particularly looking for Bottega clutches —  searches rose 57% over 2019, coinciding with Daniel Lee’s start at the brand.”

“Daniel Lee’s reinvigoration of Bottega Veneta is definitely translating to high resale value,” confirms Garcia. “Bottega Veneta The Pouch bags are holding up to 95% resale value, while puffy sandals and pumps can hold anywhere from 75-80%.” 

Say Goodbye To The Sandals (Then Buy More)

Spring shows provided a bounty of buzzy footwear from the likes of Jacquemus, Jil Sander and Bottega Veneta. If you snagged a pair early and have already exhausted them via OOTDs, now’s the time to sell. 

“Bottega Veneta’s puffy BV Lido sandals are the hottest sandals of the season, and the exaggerated detail gives a fun play on intrecciato,” says Garcia. “Since Bottega’s sandals are at peak popularity, their resale value is holding steady at 80% of their retail price. Strappy Proenza Schouler sandals that also have the coveted square-toe silhouette similarly retain up to 80%.”

“In general, sell heeled styles that shoppers can wear to weddings and dressier events, as well as flat sandals they can wear on vacation,” advises Sciacca. “Demand for both heeled and flat sandals doubles during spring.”

When it comes to sought-after sandals with staggering resale value, logos lead the way. “Hermès Oran sandals with their identifiable H never go out of style, and can hold up to 99% resale value if they have tags,” explains Garcia. “These sandals rarely go on sale in the retail market, so they keep their value if they’re pristine or even gently worn. And if you need to clean up your sandals before selling, a simple wipe-down of the soles with warm water and baby wipes will do wonders. Dry erasers can also be used to buff out scuffs and remove dirt.”

Selling Dresses For Spring? Groundbreaking

Bright, bold dresses always make for instant outfits and quick statements, which is why they’re usually a top seller for spring. “As temperatures rise, so does the resale value,” notes Sciacca. But you may be surprised to learn that this spring, a mix of household names, newcomers and more unconventional labels dominate the list of must-sell designers.

“Richard Quinn is a designer to watch,” says Garcia. “We’ve seen his more extravagant designs hold a higher resale value. The British designer is well-known for vibrant floral dresses, and these keep up to 70% of their original price. With a recent Moncler collaboration under his belt, the resale value of Richard Quinn items is bound to go up. Marni dresses also hold up to 70% in the resale market, and the more avant-garde and detailed, the faster the dress will sell.”

And there’s a market, of course, for classics like Versace. “Current-season Versace dresses can re-sell for up to 85% of retail,” notes Garcia. “Medusa and Greca prints with lots of color sell very quickly in spring.”

Swap Shoulder Bags For Shopping Money

Every now and then, a decade’s style will swing back into fashion. After Hedi Slimane shook things up at Celine seventies-style for Fall 2019, it seemed inevitable that retro vibes would continue on the Spring 2020 runway. The shoulder bag emerged as one of spring’s most coveted bags to buy, but also one of the most lucrative bags to sell.

“Searches for shoulder bags, a big seventies trend, grew by 20% after Celine highlighted them,” says Sciacca. “With other brands also re-introducing the classic seventies silhouette, we expect this trend to stay strong throughout summer.”

“Brands like Gucci have recently reintroduced vintage bag designs from their archives, and these pieces are holding incredibly high resale value,” Garcia elaborates. “Shoulder bags like Gucci’s GG Supreme 1955 bag hold up to 98% of their retail price. The Celine Triomphe bag is a close second, retaining up to 94%, and the Chloé C Mini Vanity Bag comes in third, holding up to 90%.”

Keeping your shoulder bag in top selling condition is essential to capitalize on these prices. “Unscented baby wipes will usually do the trick for canvas interiors and leather bags,” advises Garcia. “They’ll easily remove dirt and marks. Also remember to turn your bag over and shake out any dirt and debris, and always use a tissue to remove excess dust from pockets.”

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All items are pre-owned and consigned to The RealReal. Trademarks are owned by their respective brand owners. No brand owner endorses or sponsors this ad or has any association and/or affiliation with The RealReal.