Why People Pay a Fortune for Celebrity Second-Hand Clothing

The Psychology of Contagion
At the heart of the exorbitant prices paid for celebrity second-hand clothing lies a powerful psychological phenomenon known as "magical contagion." This is the belief that an object that has been in physical contact with a person—especially a famous or revered one—acquires some of that person’s essence. It's an irrational but deeply ingrained human tendency to believe that a bit of a celebrity's "stardom," "talent," or "magic" can rub off on an item. This explains why a worn dress from Marilyn Monroe can sell for millions, while an identical, brand-new replica would be worth only a fraction of that. The object is no longer just a garment; it is a relic, a tangible link to a legendary figure.