S.O.S. (Surplus Previous Stuff) with Amy Moyer: T-Shirts

T-shirts are one class of S.O.S. (Surplus Old Stuff) that may have important worth, relying on what’s printed on the garb. When you can usually safely get rid of previous shirts that includes previous street races or fraternity events, you should definitely sift fastidiously by way of your piles to avoid wasting or promote these with worth. Learn on to study which of your S.O.S. (Surplus Previous Stuff): T-Shirts can herald some severe financial institution.

Miles to {Dollars}

Earlier this yr, I met with a brand new consignment consumer who had a smorgasbord of classic objects to promote, together with a single previous T-shirt that I instantly knew can be successful on the resale market. Why? It was “true classic” with a paper-thin, super-soft cotton texture, and it had a easy monochrome silkscreen print on the entrance promoting jazz legend Miles Davis performing within the early Nineteen Eighties in Western Massachusetts. A number of weeks and $450 later, my consumer and I break up an honest revenue, and the T-shirt’s new proprietor was tickled pink to have a chunk of the jazz legend’s historical past.

Classes in T-Shirts

Lesson 1: Band and live performance T-shirts typically have worth.

Classic concert T-shirts may be helpful in the event that they function well-known musicians and bands, even when the artist’s reputation has ebbed and flowed over time. As morbid as it’s, among the finest instances to promote an previous live performance T-shirt is after the musician dies. When Jerry Garcia died unexpectedly in 1995, and Deadheads knew an period was over, followers and collectors clamored after no matter tied-dyed previous Grateful Dead T-shirts they may discover. At this time the market isn’t as robust for these previous Lifeless T-shirts, however different collectible bands have taken their place. At this time, scorching classic band T-shirts embody these from Nineties grunge bands similar to Nirvana and the Purple Scorching Chili Peppers and any old-school rap from the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties. As soon as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour wraps up later this summer time, maintain onto and protect any T-shirts you snatched up when she visited your city. They’ll undoubtedly improve in worth in a long time to come back.

Lesson 2: Autographed T-shirts are price saving.

No, don’t wash them or put on them! That ink on material is simply as helpful as ink on paper, with many collectors framing signed T-shirts and jerseys as an alternative of stuffing them in a drawer. No man cave is full with out a signed sports activities jersey or two behind glass on the wall, with these signed by deceased gamers like Kobe Bryant garnering essentially the most admiration and improve in worth over time. The identical holds for T-shirts signed by departed rock stars similar to Mac Miller and Michael Jackson.

Lesson 3: Examine previous T-shirts earlier than donating.

Usually, previous T-shirts are price inspecting for worth earlier than sending them off to a charity store. The aforementioned “paper skinny” cotton texture of an previous T-shirt is a telltale signal that the garment was as soon as liked sufficient to be worn, and chances are high somebody will proceed loving it right this moment. This holds true, particularly for manufacturers, locations, or occasions of nationwide or worldwide renown—from the Harley Davidson model to previous faculty or college shirts. You’ll want to double-check all phrases and graphics on previous T-shirts you’re pondering of trashing in case some phrase or thought is related to collectors right this moment. Perhaps a collector of classic tech would take pleasure in that shirt you picked up at Comic-Con a number of years in the past and even that Nineteen Eighties shirt with one of many unique Apple logos on it?

Higher Off a Quilt

What shirts are usually not price saving? Until you have got an additional uncommon and fascinating T-shirt for a specific band or occasion, you possibly can toss any stained or yellowed shirt within the textile recycling bin. Don’t be as fast to toss ripped shirts, although, as a rip or two can typically even add worth as a “signal of affection” for the tee. Do you have got piles and piles of memento shirts from races and charity occasions? After getting slept in or run in these for a few years, these can be tossed as they’re usually not price saving. If you’re feeling additional nostalgic a couple of bunch of triathlons or Ironmans you probably did pre-middle age, there may be one answer. You may all the time scissor out the brand of these shirts and craft them right into a quilt to huddle below to binge-watch the newest Netflix whereas being reminded of your extra energetic years.

The Odors of Previous House owners

After getting made a bit of cash promoting a few of your individual classic T-shirts, you might be tempted to enter the enterprise of classic T-shirt reselling. Personally, I keep away from this commerce aside from the few and much between Miles Davis shirts that pop up with a brand new consumer. Why? The primary purpose is the fabric of those items, which is infamous for holding all kinds of smells and smells of previous homeowners. Positive, you possibly can douse them in Febreze or run them by way of the washer, however I like to recommend neither for preserving the garment’s integrity. Whereas I’m okay promoting all kinds of classic items manufactured from much less porous materials, the ick issue of some classic T-shirts is an excessive amount of for me. A few of these previous Nirvana and Harley T-shirts have seen an excessive amount of of their lives on the street and within the stadium. I’ll keep on with reselling the classic Bon Jovi and Cinderella T-shirts I held onto from my very own Nineteen Eighties childhood (or that stray Miles Davis one which turns up someplace).

Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Art, Antiques & Collectibles. She holds a B.A. in Visible Artwork from Brown College and lives in Boston.

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