Alternative investment options Jewellery and fashion
Victorian jewellery
You could buy an early Victorian gold necklace for £5,000
Antiques Roadshow expert John Benjamin suggests Victorian jewellery as an area to explore.
With £5,000 you could buy an early Victorian gold necklace or bracelet set with the period’s popular gems topaz, aquamarine and ruby. Every jewel is highly individual, so nobody else is likely to have anything like it.
However Benjamin reminds budding investors: ‘Buying jewellery, like any commodity, attracts its own risks. Condition, quality and fashion are critical, so it’s vital to obtain impartial and well-informed advice.’
Where to start
The jewellery market is increasingly accessible and information is freely available in auction catalogues, books or on the internet. Of course, you should think carefully before buying online as it’s impossible to check condition and authenticity.
If you have only a few hundred pounds to spend, John suggests buying something slightly quirky that appeals to you, such as an interesting gold tiepin, antique paste jewellery or a small art deco gem ring.
Vintage fashion
A 1950s’ Dior gown could cost up to £5,000
Vintage fashion expert Kerry Taylor runs auctions in association with Sotheby’s.
She suggests buying one high-standard piece of labelled haute couture – something with the ‘wow factor’ - and make it the best piece you can afford. A 1950s’ Dior gown, for example, might cost up to £5,000.
Large investments
The fashion market has grown over the past decade as more people want vintage items to wear and designers look for inspiration in such pieces.
An Yves Saint Laurent Mondrian couture mini dress, for example, could be bought in the 1980s for £1,200 but would probably now sell for £20,000.
Smaller investments
For those without a spare £20,000 to plough into couture pieces, Taylor says a couple of hundred pounds will buy you a stunning non-couture beaded flapper dress.
Storage and care
Even though you may be able to wear certain items you buy, Taylor warns that they should be stored properly as they can be fragile. This means keeping clothes in a moth-free wardrobe or trunk that’s dark and cool.
You could also join the Costume Society to build up your knowledge.
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- For other investment ideas, take a look at our guide to different types of investment
