Always be sure you do your research before investing in vintage clothes.  There are a number of fakes out there that people use to prey on the uniformed.  Of course it is not that important if you are buying them as a fashion statement, but collectors should take a more cautious approach.

Now a new niche has developed for colleting these stylish time capsules.  There are thousands of denim collectors worldwide who scan everything from eBay to old homes looking for preserved pairs of antique jeans.  While it can be time consuming to sort through all of the old clothes, the right discovery can pay big dividends.

But before you try to cash in on this new hobby, there are some things to know about the collectible jean market.  Here are some basic tips to get your started.

- Levi’s Jeans are defined by their buckles, buttons, inseams and tags.  These are the areas a collector will inspect to determine authenticity and age.

- Old jeans (Pre-1940) are known to have features such as:

 - A buckle across the back of the jeans.
 - Have Levi’s spelled with a capital E (LEvi’s) on the famous red tag.
 - Double-stitching patterns are also found exclusively on old jeans.
- Some pieces made during World War II don’t have stitching around pockets.

These are just some of the unique features that separate vintage Levi’s from the more modern examples.  Depending on how old a particular piece is, it can fetch thousands of dollars on the collectible market.  Fueling these prices is the demand for fashionable vintage.  Even a rather ordinary pair of jeans from the seventies can be sold for hundreds of dollars to a young person looking of authenticity.

All in all, the vast history and popularity of Levi’s jeans make some of their older fashions very collectible.  Many people are entertained by the evolution of blue jeans and this makes rare pairs very desirable. 

So before you throw everything away from grandma’s old closet, take the time to look at the jeans.  You never know what an old pair of Levi’s will be worth.