Vintage vs. Contemporary Luxury: Making the Right Investment Choice

For the fashionable, vintage luxury shopping offers the chance to incorporate unique pieces into your wardrobe. Shopping vintage is also more budget-friendly with high-quality brands available at lower prices. You can find durable, timeless classics you can wear for multiple seasons without blowing your rent money.

On the other hand, contemporary designer pieces are often in perfect or near-perfect condition. These pieces are on trend and made with innovative technology to improve performance or comfort. It’s also nice to have something brand new once in a while. So how do you decide when to look for vintage pieces or make the investment in something new? The RealReal is here to help.

Understanding Vintage Vs. Contemporary

Vintage has many meanings. In fashion, it generally refers to clothing that is more than 20 years old but less than 100. Vintage clothing lets you express your style with authentic pieces from a bygone era. Instead of looking for a modern twist on a ‘90s classic, for example, you can just wear an Alaia body-con dress from the ‘90s.

You can connect to history through vintage clothing. Many vintage pieces are easy to pair with contemporary pieces for a fresh twist on old trends.

Contemporary fashion refers to modern, on-trend pieces you can buy directly from the brand or on luxury resale sites including TheRealReal. You might choose contemporary pieces when you want to update and refresh your look. When current trends and silhouettes reflect your style, you may also want to incorporate them into your wardrobe.

When to Choose Vintage Luxury

Your decision to add vintage pieces to your closet is entirely personal. Some people like following trends. Others prefer older clothing and accessories. If you can’t decide, opt for vintage when you’re looking for something that is truly unique and difficult to replicate.

For example, handbags from Louis Vuitton’s collaboration with Haruki Murakami were inescapable in the early 2000s, but they’re harder to find these days (although the brand is re-releasing some items from the collection in 2025). If you prefer the vibrant pops of color popular on the Murakami to the traditional Louis Vuitton style, you could look for a vintage bag.

Vintage clothing is often well-made and durable. The vintage pieces that make it into consignment shops are often constructed with high-quality materials such as leather, cotton, wool and linen. Designers use quality construction methods so clothing and accessories can stand the test of time with proper care.

If you’re concerned about fast fashion and its environmental impact, vintage clothing offers a way to be more sustainable. You can keep clothing out of a landfill and wear your vintage pieces longer than a lower-quality piece of fast fashion.

When to Invest in Contemporary Fashion

There are occasions that call for contemporary luxury. When you’re looking for fashionable clothing made of innovative materials, nothing beats contemporary design. Modern designers including Stella McCartney are experimenting with fabrics such as microsilk. This textile is bioengineered to be soft and durable. It is also biodegradable, so if the garment actually does end up in the landfill, it won’t stick around for centuries.

Contemporary fashion is trendier. If you like looking current and blending in with your peers, contemporary fashion is probably better for you than a vintage piece. Some contemporary pieces are also made more ethically than vintage pieces. Advances in technology are making it easier to find fashion-forward clothing made sustainably.

You can find contemporary luxury on resale sites including The RealReal, so it doesn’t have to be more expensive. Since modern fashion cycles are fast, you can find current styles at a more affordable price.

Contemporary fashion can be a great investment when you choose pieces that hold their value or appreciate over time. For example, classic staples such as Rolex watches tend to hold their value over time. With proper care, you can consign them with The RealReal once you’ve tired of the piece.

Fine jewelry from respected brands including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Bulgari also hold their value. If you want an investment piece that also makes a statement, look for merchandise from these brands.

How to Protect Your Investments

Whether you’re vintage shopping or opting for contemporary luxury, you’ll be spending more than you would on lower-quality items. Properly caring for vintage and contemporary clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories makes them easier to resell when you’re done with them.

Pay attention to the washing instructions on your favorite pieces. If a vintage piece doesn’t have tags, see if you can find the directions online. Always dry clean anything that says “dry clean only.” Yes, it can be expensive, but ignoring these directions can make your new coat or dress wear out prematurely.

Get your fine jewelry cleaned regularly. Avoid contact with chemicals, which means removing your rings and bracelets when washing your hands or cleaning your home, for example. Wipe down your jewelry with a lint-free cloth after you wear it to remove oils, dust and other contaminants.

Pre-treat leather and suede bags with protection spray to keep them from being damaged in rain or snow. Use a leather cleaner or conditioner to keep the bag supple. Clean your handbags regularly and use the dustbag when you’re storing them.

Since you walk around with them for long stretches, shoes are harder to protect. Keep them in the best condition by pre-treating leather and suede to protect them from water damage. Rotate your shoe collection to avoid excess wear and tear. Store all your shoes in a cool location away from the sun. If you’re planning on reselling your shoes, consider seeing a cobbler to have them resoled and to fix any other damage.

Complete the Circle with The RealReal

Whether you prefer to invest in vintage fashion or contemporary luxury, buying items on consignment contributes to the circular economy. It is more sustainable and lets you update your wardrobe without contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.

When you’re done with your contemporary and vintage fashion, consign with The RealReal. We can help you get the best price for your luxury items so they get a new home and you can treat yourself to another favorite.