Your complete 4-part country solution...

[Marc Chevalier]

I really think this seller missed a trick with his no international shipping. I suspect some of the more hardcore collectors in the Uk would have fetched the price up even further …

And if my friend hadn't unwittingly made the second highest bid, I would have won the suit for $887. Still a lot of dough, to be sure, but a good bit less than this suit is worth IMO.

 

[Mario]

Well, what do you think the suit is worth? That is, if you don't mind me asking this question, how much would you have been willing to spend on it?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Well, what do you think the suit is worth? That is, if you don't mind me asking this question, how much would you have been willing to spend on it?

I believe that, on the open (international) market, it is worth several thousand dollars.

 

[Mario]

Now I'm scared...

 

[Marc Chevalier]

.
And that's the key phrase here: "international market". For the most part, Americans are no longer paying big money for any vintage suits, no matter how rare and wonderful they might be -- unless a celebrity wore 'em, of course. On the other hand, Europeans, Australians/New Zealanders, and the Japanese are still paying high prices for (and winning) the best vintage suits on the market.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Now I'm scared...

Don't be scared. You can pay a lot, lot less if you find a suit before the other buyers do. The key is to get informed, search well, and have some luck.

 

[Mario]

On the other hand, Europeans, Australians/New Zealanders, and the Japanese are still paying high prices for (and winning) the best vintage suits on the market.

Part of the reason might be that not too much vintage clothing is available anymore on the European market (don't know about other parts of the world).

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Part of the reason might be that not too much vintage clothing is available anymore on the European market (don't know about other parts of the world).

Maybe you're right, but consider this: the very best vintage suits are very rare everywhere, even in America. And yet, few Americans seem to be winning them on eBay anymore. (And, trust me, the best vintage American suits are no longer hanging in vintage clothing store racks: the store owners are putting them directly onto eBay, in order to grab the international market.)

 

[Mario]

Don't be scared. You can pay a lot, lot less if you find a suit before the other buyers do. The key is to get informed, search well, and have some luck.

Agreed. But then there is still the fact that budgets (well, mine at least) are subject to some form of tidal rise and fall...and sometimes items have the nerve-wracking habit of turning up when the tide is at its lowest. Been down that road before...

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Agreed. But then there is still the fact that budgets (well, mine at least) are subject to some form of tidal rise and fall...and sometimes items have the nerve-wracking habit of turning up when the tide is at its lowest. Been down that road before...

I completely understand. Just to let you know, the Japanese who buy suits from me tend to be in high-level positions in advertising/graphic design companies. One of my best Japanese customers is independently wealthy and the 'dean' of Japan's clique of swing dance enthusiasts. Another customer owns a string of art galleries in Osaka. In short, they've got some dough to play with.

 

[herringbonekid]

Marc, is this suit the most expensive vintage suit you've bought so far ?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Marc, is this suit the most expensive vintage suit you've bought so far ?

Yes ... by far!