Editor’s Note
This article highlights the evolving economics of the resale market, from investment-grade items to nostalgic trends, as detailed in The RealReal’s latest annual report.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The RealReal (Nasdaq: REAL) – the world’s largest online marketplace for authenticated resale luxury goods – today released its annual Resale Report. For the past 14 years, The RealReal has been at the forefront of a cultural shift, redefining luxury resale as both desirable and accessible. With a community of more than 40 million members, the company enables people to discover pieces they love while unlocking the value of luxury assets in their closets. Drawing on years of proprietary data and authentication expertise, the 2025 Resale Report explores the state of luxury resale today, analyzing the shopping and consignment behaviors of The RealReal’s members and highlighting the cultural and economic forces reshaping demand and value.
Findings show that fine jewelry and timeless handbags continued to hold strong, while cultural shifts, the current political climate, and creative director shakeups also shaped demand. Nostalgia remained a powerful force, fueling the revival of 2010s fashion and high heels alongside the return of 1980s maximalism. The Row stayed a defining anchor among American brands, while both established names like Coach and emerging voices such as Diotima gained fresh relevance with new takes on American style. Vintage pieces reached new highs, with nearly 30% more members searching for vintage this year than last, as shoppers sharpened their eye for long-term value, turning to resale to both express personal style and invest strategically.
With inflation and rising retail prices, consumers are increasingly factoring resale value into purchase decisions: 47% now consider resale value before buying new.
Some of the smartest investments in 2025 weren’t on Wall Street. Resale values climbed steadily for classics like Rolex Datejusts (+17%), Goyard Saint Louis totes (+18%), Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra jewelry (+20%), Hermès Birkin 30 (+15%), and Louis Vuitton Speedy bags (+13%).
Top 10 most-searched brands, plus breakout year-over-year search leaders: Coach, Ferragamo, Pucci, Toteme.
American Designers on the Rise: CFDA members drove strong momentum — Diotima (+152%), Zankov (+65%), Marina Moscone (+44%).
Jonathan Anderson is The RealReal’s Creative Director of the Year — Loewe searches spiked +488% following his departure.
Celebrity impact: Kendrick Lamar’s Celine Super Bowl jeans drove “Celine Flare Jeans” searches +963% in 24 hours.
Comeback Brand of the Year: Isabel Marant, now the #1 most-searched contemporary label (+54% year-over-year).
Maximalism Returns: 1980s silhouettes, sequins, fur, vintage Mugler suits.
2010s Nostalgia: Hervé Léger bandage dresses (+106%), a high-heel revival led by Louboutin, Manolo, D&G, and Giuseppe Zanotti (+24–45%), and reissued It Bags like the Balenciaga City, Chloé Paddington, and Fendi Spy.
Sales of Fair Condition items +32% year-over-year, with growth driven by new buyers (+40%).
Distressed brown leather jackets +155%.
Sticker-covered Rimowa luggage +65%.
Bags showing visible wear +45%.
Wedding searches surged across generations: Gen Z (+55%), Boomers (+45%).