Vintage wool pieces from this iconic American brand can resell for hundreds of dollars.
Kentin Waits • July 16, 2022 • Advertising Disclosure
Shopping thrift stores, flea markets and estate sales can be overwhelming. With the sheer volume of stuff, how do you know where to start? How do you spot gems amid all the junk?
As a professional reseller who has been combing through thrift stores for the better part of 30 years, I can help. If you’re ready to cut your shopping time in half, score bigger bargains or walk away with brag-worthy finds you can flip for cash, read on.
From hard-to-find household items to resale money-makers, everything featured in my “Thrift Shop Like a Pro” series qualifies as a BOLO (“be on the lookout” for) item. When you find it, buy it!
Dating back to 1863 and founded by weaver Thomas Kay, Pendleton Woolen Mills is based in Portland, Oregon. Throughout its long history, the company has produced practical woolen goods that set the standard for craftsmanship and authentic American style. Generations later, Pendleton is still going strong — and still managed by descendants of Kay.
Made to last, vintage Pendleton items can be found in thrift shops across the country. The company produces a wide range of products, but the most common secondhand items I find include:
And here’s the best part: Almost all vintage Pendleton is worth money.
Lucky bargain hunters can still find shirts for $5.99, coats for $10 and, once in a great while, heavy wool blankets for $10 to $15.
If you’ve ever owned a Pendleton blanket or piece of clothing, you can attest to its durability. Items that are well cared for can become heirlooms for generations.
And to its credit, Pendleton has avoided fashion fads. Shirts, coats and skirts are classically styled and look as good today as when they were first manufactured.
From an environmental perspective, buying vintage Pendleton (or any wool garment) is a smart move. According to Treehugger.com, wool is one of the most sustainable sources of clothing. It’s natural, renewable, durable, compostable and doesn’t release plastic microfibers when cleaned.
If you’re thrift shopping for items to resell for profit, keep an eye out for all things Pendleton.
On eBay, this vintage Mackinaw-style jacket sold for $200, and this early Native American-inspired blanket sold for $600. Prices are just as strong on Etsy, where this midcentury plaid, fully lined pantsuit is listed for a warm-and-fuzzy $788.
As with all textiles, condition is everything. Since wool is vulnerable to moth damage, check each Pendleton piece carefully before you buy. Hold the fabric up to a window or bright light; tiny moth holes are much more visible when backlit.
Thankfully for secondhand shoppers, Pendleton items are exceptionally well-marked.
Though the label has changed slightly over the years, most pieces feature a bright blue label with gold stitching or a white label with gold or brown stitching. The all-caps PENDLETON word mark is followed by “PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS.”
Early labels also included the manufacturing location of Portland, but some newer pieces are marked “Made in China.”
A few other details to keep an eye out for:
Pro tip: Condition matters, but don’t worry too much if you find a moth-munched blanket. If there’s enough intact fabric to work with, it can be sold as upholstery material to furniture restorers.
For more tips like these, check out my article “11 Secrets to Finding Quality Clothing at Thrift Shops.”
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.
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