Luxury resale platform The RealReal released its seventh annual “Luxury Resale Report” on Wednesday, analyzing the shopping and consignment behavior of the company’s more than 37 million members. It also spotlights the key trends currently shaping demand and resale values for the most coveted luxury brands and items — dominated by high-end jewelry and timeless handbags, but also TikTok trends and the resurgence of nostalgic TV shows.
“Fashion is undergoing a seismic shift. Trends are moving away from being top-down (runways) and toward bottom-up through things like TikTok, TV shows, and everyday street style,” said Rati Sahi Levesque, president and COO of The RealReal.
Sustainability is still ‘in’
This year, consumers also prioritized sustainability more than ever, with 49 percent of members saying extending the lifecycle of luxury is a top reason they shop on The RealReal, the marketplace said. Nearly a third (31 percent) of customers, and 35 percent who also sell on consignment, said they’ve focused on “buying fewer, more specialty luxury items” since the pandemic; 78 percent of members said they shop on The RealReal with “value” as a top priority.
“They want to invest more in quality, especially in a time of economic uncertainty: for the second year in a row, we see both average order value and average sales price increasing across all generations, with increases of up to 14 percent. It’s no longer about what’s new, but what’s going to last. More than ever, shoppers are building their wardrobes with a focus on differentiation and lasting value,” adds Sahi Levesque.
Most searched brands appeal to the masses
Louis Vuitton took the top spot among the most searched brands, followed by Chanel, Prada (number one among Gen Z consumers), Gucci and Loewe. Miu Miu, Celine, Bottega Veneta, Dior and The Row rounded out the top ten. Searches for men’s bags increased 900 percent year-over-year, with Gucci, Fendi and Chanel leading the way.
“All of these brands are redefining fashion by appealing to the masses. Prada, for example, plays perfectly into the trends of the ‘90s and Y2K and has become the most searched for brand among Gen Z. There’s also Chanel and Gucci — whose handbags are our most searched for and second most searched for, respectively — that are popular with both boomers and zoomers,” explains Noelle Sciacca, associate director of womenswear and strategic partnerships for The RealReal.
“Miu Miu, which breaks traditional age-based style rules, has seen a notable 47 percent year-on-year increase in searches for its vintage pieces. The trend towards the continued democratization of fashion across genders is also evident, with many of these brands committed to gender-fluid styles and inclusivity,” Sciacca adds.
Bags are becoming more accessible
While consumers today spend an average of 20 percent more on bags than they did five years ago, there is a noticeable trend towards more accessible styles from established brands such as Miu Miu and Loewe, as well as emerging brands.
“In 2024, buyer growth in the US$1,000 to US$3,000 price range will increase by 13 percent compared to last year, the largest increase of all price categories – with a focus on good investments over trends,” the report summarizes.
The ten best bag investments include The Row’s “Margaux,” Hermes’ “Kelly” bag, Bottega Veneta’s “Andiamo,” Chanel’s “Mini 22 Hobo,” and Loewe’s “Puzzle.” On the more predictable side, The RealReal also recommends a few lesser-known ones: Toteme’s “T-Lock,” Savette’s “Pochette,” Polène’s “Numéro Dix,” Alaïa’s “Dachshund,” and Mulberry’s “Alexa” bag.
Counterfeits are a force to be reckoned with once again this year, with The RealReal catching over 7,000 fake bags during the authentication process. “While the most commonly counterfeited bags are still the usual suspects — Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci — we’ve seen a big surge in Celine and The Row knockoffs this year following the quiet luxury boom of 2023. These “superfakes” often look shockingly similar to the real thing, with an attention to detail rarely seen by authenticators before.”
Vintage goes mainstream
The resale outlet noted that previously niche brands like Issey Miyake and Vivienne Westwood have moved into the mainstream. Those looking to be an early adopter of the new generation should look to Claude Montana, Courrèges and Romeo Gigli. Resurgent TV shows like The Sopranos and Sex in the City have also boosted Gen Z demand. With shows like “Emily in Paris” promoting secondhand fashion, series will continue to have a big impact.
Fine (maximalist) jewelry saw the highest growth of any category this year: “It appears that shoppers are opting for safe investments in an era of economic uncertainty and fast-moving trends, spending more on higher-value pieces with guaranteed ROI and staying power. Despite ongoing economic factors – such as inflation and rising metal prices – our data shows a 7 percent increase in demand and average order value, as well as shoppers gravitating toward high-end pieces from luxury brands,” the report said.
Classic streetwear brands are declining
While sales were down 25 to 35 percent year-on-year for classic streetwear brands like Supreme, Off-White and Nike Jordans and pieces, they were up 25 percent for suits and brands known for their business attire like Donna Karan, Gianfranco Ferré and St. John, as well as Brunello Cucinelli, Dior Men, Giorgio Armani and Zegna.
‘New Americana’ for 2025
Last but not least, “New Americana” is the trend for 2025, a combination of boho and utilitarian styles – searches for vintage Diesel, Levi’s, Chloe culottes, Dôen dresses, fringed leather and bohemian silver jewelry all went up.
This article originally appeared on FashionUnited.com. Translation by AI, editing by Caitlyn Terra.
