The news is littered with stories of the latest auctions of iconic clothes and accessories, with price tags that still manage to shock us all. Here are some of the most valuable vintage items, both in terms of cultural and monetary worth

1.      Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Seven Year Itch’ dress

It is one of the most iconic film scenes ever – Marilyn Monroe standing on a subway vent with her dress billowing around her, showing off those enviable pins. This 1955 image has since become the way many people remember Marilyn, firmly placing her as a Hollywood legend.

The dress itself has received much acclaim and is now worth an estimated £3 million.

Image source and copyright: This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

2.      Michael Jackon’s Crystal glove

Michael Jackson’s crystal glove became his statement accessory over the years. As the BBC reported, when the glove worn during his Victory tour went to auction in 2010, it sold for a staggering £126,000, making it one of the most expensive gloves in history.

3.      Elvis Presley’s jewelled jumpsuit

Another stage icon is Elvis Presley. The jumpsuit was a signature look for him, with arguably his most iconic one being the white jewelled jumpsuit that we all remember. This jumpsuit is currently part of an exhibition at Elvis’ estate, Graceland, so it is unlikely to be sold anytime soon. If it was to be sold though, we’re sure it will fetch big bucks as fans try to secure a slice of Elvis’ legacy.

If you’re interested in the inspiration behind his jumpsuits, check out this interview with Gene Doucette, Elvis’ fashion designer, published on The Guardian.

4.      Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s dress

The effortless glamour of the Givenchy dress Audrey Hepburn donned for her role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s secures its place as an iconic vintage item. It is often perceived as one of the most famous little black dresses of all time. The dress was auctioned in 2006 and was expected to raise between £50,000 and £70,000. However, the final selling price smashed these estimates, going for a massive £467,200!

5.      Geri Halliwell’s Union Jack dress

The Spice Girls were one of the biggest bands in the 90s, so it is only right that some of their iconic looks make the list. Geri Halliwell, or Ginger Spice, wore the eye-catching Union Jack mini dress as part of the band’s performance at the 1997 BRIT Awards. The look stuck in the minds of many and when it was auctioned off just a year later, it was bought for £41,320 and is now displayed in the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

While your vintage collection may not be worth quite as much as some of the items listed here, you could find that you’re sitting on a little goldmine. If you have some one-off, standout pieces, why not have your collection valued to see how much it is worth?

Companies like Value My Stuff specialise in valuations and estimating antique prices. The company was invested in by the Dragon’s Den and has a team of valuation experts, so they really are a brand you can trust.

Now all you need to do is decide what you can bear to part with!