Is ‘junk’ in your loft now worth hundreds of pounds?

The loft: a magical place to put things and forget about them, in the forlorn belief they’ll become useful or valuable ‘at some point’.  

Well, it might be time to head back up there, as collectibles expert Tracy Martin has noticed a surge of interest in pieces from the mid-to-late 20th century. 

The good news is some of these items were mass produced, so you may well have some lurking around – and they could be worth hundreds. 

“Vintage and retro pieces are massive at the moment, especially among the younger generations. Vibrant fabrics and vivid colours are highly desirable, with collectors wanting to invest in styles that epitomise the era,” she says.  

Sindy and Barbie dolls 

If you’ve been holding onto your children's dolls, you’re in luck, as they’re part of one of the most sought-after areas of collecting: vintage toys.   

Barbie had a resurgence after last year’s film and she’s also the subject of an exhibition at The Design Museum, exploring her history from 1959 to the present day. 

“An original swimsuit Barbie can make more than £1,000, depending on condition and whether it has the original box,” Martin says. 

But don’t overlook Sindy, Barbie’s British rival. “Sindy was the British girl next door. Although in general, she doesn’t make the dizzy prices that Barbie does, UK collectors love her,” she adds. 

Rare versions of the Sindy doll are more valuable, such as her French cousin, Mitzi. “I picked up a red-headed Mitzi in a box of Sindy dolls from a car boot sale,” says Martin.  

“The Mitzi alone sold for £300, even though she wasn’t perfect, having had her hair cut and missing some of her original outfit. If she’d been mint condition with the original box, then she would be worth £900 to £1,000. 

"Another rare Sindy doll to look out for is Gayle, the first Black Sindy released in 1978.” Current internet auction sites are seeing this doll sell for over £400 if boxed. 

Mint dolls in their original packaging are worth more, but collectors are realistic about wear and tear.  

“You can sell them in what we call ‘play worn’ condition, but if a doll’s hair is badly cut, her fingers are chewed, joint are loose and there’s pen all over her, that can seriously reduce the value,” Martin adds. 

If you’re thinking of selling, Martin stresses it’s important to do your research by looking at prices on internet auctions and specialist retail sites – making sure you look at sold prices, not just what people list them for in hope.  

You can also speak to leading auction houses, especially those that specialise in toys, to get a valuation. 

Vintage framed prints 

Never throw away an old-fashioned framed print that’s gathering dust in the loft - it could be worth something, even if it was cheap and mass-produced when you bought it. 

One of the most popular examples is reproductions of Vladimir Tretchikoff’s Chinese Girl, which isn’t a rarity because you could buy it in Woolworth’s, but now they’re spiking in value. 

“Everybody owned one and they cost very little when they were produced in the 1950s,” says Martin.  

“If you find one in your attic, check if the colours are still vibrant, there’s no damage to the print and that the frame is in good condition - because it could be worth £200 to £400.   

“Other prints to look out for are by the British painters JH Lynch, whose famous Tina print can make around £300 and also Louis Shabner prints of fashionable ladies, which sell for £100-£150.” 

1950s furniture 

Don’t be surprised if younger members of your family start eyeing up your furniture, even if it looks dated to you.  

“Danish teak design is popular right now, as is Ercol's nest of pebble tables and 1960s tile-top coffee tables. At the time, people thought it was throwaway, but it’s stood the test of time,” says Martin. 

“Scandinavian designs can achieve great prices: a set of Niels Moller dining chairs from the 1960s can sell for in excess of £4,000 and a Hans Olsen roundette dining table can sell for £1,500 to £2,000.” 

Ask a reputable auction specialist or 20th century expert to look at the furniture to help value it. 

Costume jewellery 

Learning that jewellery is valuable won’t come as any surprise – but you might not expect that it doesn’t have to be all precious metals and rare gems. 

“People know that gold is rising in value, but also look at silver and costume jewellery,” says Martin.  

“What’s really hot at the moment is mid-century Scandinavian style, such as Georg Jensen and costume jewellery.  

“A 1950s Dior by Mitchel Maer paste 'en tremblant' necklace sold recently for £550. Dior 1980s gold-plated earring and necklace sets are also rising in popularity and can make £50 to £100.

“With jewellery, we wear it so it’s not so important to keep it in its box. It’s about the quality, design and name – and always look for a signature,” she adds. 

Once again online platforms such as Ebay, Etsy and Vinted are good places to research the value of costume jewellery, or ask at a local vintage fashion store to help give you a steer on price. 

Fashion labels 

Storing your old clothes carefully can really pay off, as fashion from the 1960s and 1970s, including handbags and shoes, is increasingly popular.  

“Designer ‘names’ have always been sought after, so look for 1960s designs by Biba, Mary Quant and Jean Varon,” says Martin.  

“1970s designers are also in big demand, with an Ossie Clark dress ranging from a £200 to £1,000. 

“Even a t-shirt from Westwood and McLaren could sell in the range of £600 to over £1,000.” 

Although buyers are happy to do minor repairs, anything in its true original condition is always worth more.  

"People are revisiting their memories with these styles,” says Martin. “As with any collectible, condition is paramount. If a garment has sweat marks, these can be difficult to remove; vintage fabric is generally hand wash only, so take care not to damage it.” 

Many auction houses host vintage fashion sales and will be happy to value your items for free.  

“There are specialist auction houses such as Kerry Taylor, Christie’s and Sotheby’s which are renowned for their fashion and accessory sales, but also speak to your local auctioneer who can give you a realistic guide price for your pieces,” adds Martin. 

Even if you don’t have designer clothes, your old favourites from John Lewis and M&S might also fetch far more than you’d expect, especially if they’re from the right era. 

These brands have started to come back into fashion once more – so it’s worth digging out some of your favourite old pieces to find out whether they could be worth far more than you expect. 

• How much are the vintage clothes worth in your wardrobe?