If you feel the time has finally come to de-clutter that wardrobe with funky designer threads from the 1960s, 1970s - or even the 1990s - then a forthcoming auction could give you an idea of just how much they might be worth.
Christie's annual street fashion auction on September 7th has a wide variety of second-hand designer stuff with estimates ranging from £25 up to £600 sterling (€907).
Ms Suzette Shields, textile specialist, says items don't have to be haute couture. They can be ready-to-wear from a well-known designer. "And really the more far-out the better. We like things that are quite eye-catching and wacky."
Items must be in good condition but they don't have to be old. "We have things in the sale that are by John Galliano and they're early 1990s so, so long as they're strong pieces" they can do well.
There's a pair of leggings in the forthcoming auction with a vivid floral print and integral boots - so it's all one piece. "They're quite striking. They're turquoisey-blue and very vivid colours," she says. They are expected to fetch £150-£250.
A Biba imitation leopard skin jacket with padded shoulders and large turn-ups at the cuffs from 1970 is estimated at £200-£400. "They're always popular. They're very sort of funky. And we have lots of Biba collectors. There are a few fake fur things. We don't touch fur at all but we have quite a few fake fur bits. It's more plush than it is fake. And they're quite fun."
A "very dramatic" black silk jersey dress, that is a "slightly elasticated, slightly stretchy fabric", with simulated tears in the skirt held together with beaded safety pins, labelled Zandra Rhodes London, is estimated at £150-£250. Another Rhodes one-shoulder dress of vivid violet silk chiffon is also estimated at £150-£250. Both dresses have "really, really vivid colours".
A sleeveless paper mini dress with bright pink floral print is estimated at £150-£250. "It is actually made of paper," she says. Another is printed with pages from the Yellow Pages, also estimated at £150-£250. And how do you clean paper dresses? "I'm afraid you probably don't. Most of these are disposable. These ones, I don't think, have been worn."
One of them is still in its packaging. The blurb says it's a special fabric, she says, "some sort of reinforced paper that allows you to breathe quite easily. I mean you don't wash it, basically. You just throw it around. Or you don't move around too much in it".
A pair of 1970s platform sandals with red straps that transform into roller skates by pulling a lever is estimated at £150-£250. A long black evening dress with Oriental-style sleeves, 1972, labelled Yuki London (part of a group lot) should fetch £250-£400. A pair of black patent court shoes with a decorative metal bar stamped with Gucci G's at one side, part of a group lot, is estimated at £200-£300, while a pair of Wellington boots set with gold glitter is estimated at £150-£250 (group lot).
"If people do have Pucci ties at home, certainly they're worth getting in touch with us about," she says. Individually, Pucci ties should be worth "anywhere between £20 and £80". A man's suit of raspberry pink, yellow and black chequered cotton labelled McLaren Westwood Worlds End is expected to fetch £250-£450. Says Ms Shields: "That's a really lovely suit, actually. Obviously again it would only be certain people probably who would actually wear it. The guy who left it was great because it's 1980s and he said he couldn't remember wearing it and he couldn't remember anything from the 1980s at all so I think he probably enjoyed it."
Readers can contact Ms Suzette Shields at Christie's costume and textile department, 85 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LD. Telephone: 0044 171 321 3216.
