For most people, jackets are a fashion statement or a piece of everyday life, just something to throw on when the temperature changes. But for musicians, movie stars, and the luxury fashion designers of the world, jackets can be multi-million-dollar pieces of memorabilia.
Continue reading to learn about the most expensive jackets ever sold, including some that you can still buy now. To be clear, we saved suits and coats for another time – this is just for jackets.
9. Michael Jackson Dangerous Tour Jacket
Sold: December 2, 2012
Maker: Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins
photo source: Julien’s Live
The Michael Jackson Dangerous Tour Jacket sold on December 2, 2012 as part of the Collection of Tompkins and Bush at a Julien’s auction. The jacket is a black wool blend with front zipper and Velcro closures that allowed the musician to change quickly.
The jacket has a faux military style, with an ammunition belt and overlapping plates as bandoliers.
Labels on the jacket’s interior feature Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins labels. The statue of Michael that was created to promote the 1995 album, HIStory, was based on this jacket.
Two of these identical jackets were made for the Dangerous Tour but it was the one in better condition that sold for $225,000.
Did you know?
Michael Jackson’s second world concert tour was known as the Dangerous Tour to promote the album, Dangerous. It was sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, with the proceeds going to the Heal the World Foundation. The tour included stadium performances around the world, seating over 4 million people and taking in over $140 million. It also won’t be the last time a Jackson concert jacket makes our list.
8. Olivia Newton-John Grease Motorcycle Jacket
Sold: November 2, 2019
Maker: Western Costume Company
photo source: Julien’s Live
The jacket that Olivia Newton-John wore at the end of Grease sold at a Julien’s auction on November 2, 2019 as part of an auction series called “Property from the Life and Career of Olivia Newton-John.”
It’s the jacket that introduced the world to “You’re the One that I Want,” so it should be no surprise that it exceeded initial expectations, selling for $243,200 on a maximum value estimate of $200,000.
The jacket is front-belted and has zipper closures around the arms, three pockets, and a silver-toned corduroy trim. Newton-John bragged about being able to wear it up until the time it was sold in 2019.
Did you know?
Music legend Olivia Newton-John received word that her breast cancer had returned in 2017 after her initial 1992 diagnosis. She died from this cancer on August 8, 2022. If her memorabilia ever comes up for auction again, it’s likely that it will break this record.
7. John Lennon Photoshoot Jacket
Sold: December 3, 2010
Maker: Unknown
photo source: Julien’s Live
The John Lennon Photoshoot jacket was sold at a Julien’s auction on December 3, 2010 in a series entitled Icons & Idols. The jacket was made in a military band style for the famous LIFE photoshoot that The Beatles did in 1966.
The jacket is ivory British wool with gold tassels and blue details at the cuffs.
Joel Morris obtained the jacket after it was donated to the Salvation Army from Yoko Ono’s apartment. The jacket came with several photographs and a letter of authenticity.
It ended up selling for $250,000, about $50,000 over its maximum estimated value.
Did you know?
In the course of his career, Lennon scored 25 number ones as well as a fifth-place ranking in Rolling Stone’s list of history’s best singers. He was shot and killed in 1980, making any Lennon memorabilia even more valuable now.
6. Michael Jackson Bad World Tour Jacket
Sold: November 9, 2018
Maker: Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins
photo source: Julien’s Live
The Michael Jackson Bad World Tour Jacket was worn by the superstar during the Bad World Tour in 1988 in response to Jackson’s Bad album. The tour was sponsored by Pepsi and sent Jackson to 123 concerts in 15 countries for 4.4 million rabid fans. It grossed $125 million by the end.
One of the jackets that Jackson wore on the tour was black with multiple leather belts sticking out all over. It sold in November 2018 for $298,000. It was only estimated to be worth around $100,000, but the allure of the King of Pop easily drove the jacket up to its record-breaking sale price.
Did you know?
Bad was Michael Jackson’s seventh studio album. It was released on August 31, 1987 and sold 2.25 million copies in one week. It was number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums for six weeks in a row, eventually selling 35 million total copies, being certified 11x Platinum, and being nominated for six Grammys.
5. Kurt Cobain Jacket
Sold: December, 2019
Maker: Manhattan Industries
photo source: Reddit
The jacket that Kurt Cobain wore for the “Unplugged” concert made headlines when it sold for $137,500. Unsurprisingly, it resold more recently for another auction, taking in $300,000. The simple-looking chocolate-green sweater jacket is made from silky mohair, made sometime in the early 60s.
Cobain was seen wearing the sweater often in the months leading up to his suicide in 1994.
The Unplugged 1993 performance, now a legendary event in music history, is considered Cobain’s swansong to the industry, so this jacket carries more weight than any pukey green jacket has any right to.
Did you know?
Jackie Farry, the Cobain family’s nanny, carried this jacket with her in a safety deposit box for the years following Cobain’s death. She left the jacket to Frances Cobain (Kurt’s daughter) in their will, but after she was diagnosed with cancer, they took the now-infamous concert artifact to the Julien’s auction house.
4. Thriller Jacket
Sold: June 27, 2011
Maker: Deborah Nadoolman Landis
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
The Thriller Jacket, candy-apple-red and striped with black leather, was designed by Deborah Nadoolman Landis. The jacket has instantly recognizable angular soldiers and crisscrossing zippers. It became a huge fashion fad after debuting in the “Thriller” music video in 1983.
In fact, the jacket was so popular that Jackson filed a lawsuit to prevent anyone from selling copies of it. At a Julien’s auction in June 2011, Milton Verret bought this jacket for $1.8 million.
The proceeds were donated to the Shambala Animal Kingdom.
Did you know?
Landis designed costumes for a lot of famous American films. Her most famous work other than “Thriller” includes the suits from The Blues Brothers and Indiana Jones’ brown leather jacket for Raiders of the Lost Ark.
3. Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 Jacket
Sold: July 2022
Maker: NASA
photo source: Sothebys
The Apollo 11 jacket that sold at a space memorabilia auction in July 2022 was worn by Buzz Aldrin. Aldrin is the last surviving member of the 1969 moon mission, so his jacket is a piece of real history.
It was valued up to $2 million but exceeded expectations when it sold for $2.8 million.
This auction marked the first time a piece of clothing from the moon landing was available for purchase, with Aldrin’s crewmates, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins, leaving their belongings to their private estates.
The jacket still has its American flag patch, its “E. Aldrin” patch, and the round Apollo 11 breast patch.
Did you know?
Before this auction, the most expensive space artifact ever sold was a bag for lunar dust that sold in 2017 for $1.8 million.
2. Infinity Denim Jacket
Sold: N/a
Maker: Stuart Hughes and Karl Mathers
photo source: Stuart Hughes
The Infinity Denim Jacket was designed by Stuart Hughes in a collaboration with fellow Liverpool UK designer Karl Mathers.
The jacket is encrusted with 24 karats of solid gold and platinum and 129 carats of flawless white diamonds. In total, the jacket contains 2.1kg of precious metals.
The Infinity jacket was commissioned by an anonymous musician and created over a design period of 3 months for 3.5 million pounds, or over $4.247 million.
Did you know?
Stuart Hughes formed Goldstriker International with Jo-Emma Larvin, creating highly detailed luxury fashion statements for the Liverpool, England area. They became as famous for their fashion as for their brand identity, which included handmade boxes for every product.
The Hughes brand now works in high fashion but designs luxury commissions in multiple industries, including luxury watches, furniture, and even yachts.
1. Diamond Jacket
Sold: N/a
Maker: Farrah Gray and Peter Marco
photo source: Parade
The most expensive jacket ever sold is the Diamond Jacket. This stunning jacket is made of black python skin and encrusted with tons of diamonds.
Luxury python skin is far more expensive than cow leather or other animal products. In total, the jacket glitters with 460 carats of valuable stones between the shining scales.
The American entrepreneur Farrah Gray is responsible for the investment behind this jacket, made in conjunction with Peter Marco. Every diamond has been GIA certified for quality and clarity, adding to the value of the world’s most expensive jacket.
Owning the Farrah/Marco Diamond Jacket will cost you $10 million.
Did you know?
Farrah Gray hails from the South side of Chicago. He started his business career peddling handmade lotion and painted rocks from door to door. The businessman/investor/author set out to create the world’s most expensive jacket and succeeded.
