A pair of red denim shorts worn by Amy Winehouse during her legendary performance at T in the Park in 2008 have sold for £4,351 at auction, more than five times their estimated value. The size small Diesel shorts, along with a black stretch snakeskin chunky belt and the artist's pass from the festival, were sold by Julien's Music Icons in New York.
Auction details and global interest
The garments, which Winehouse paired with a black scoop neck top and cropped black leather jacket, were expected to fetch between $1,000 and $2,000 (approximately £750-1,500). However, after a flurry of bids from both the UK and the US, they were snapped up for $5,600 (about £4,351). Martin J Nolan, executive director of Julien's, said: "Amy Winehouse items always generate huge interest especially for stage worn iconic performances such as T In the Park. Amy wore these true 'Amy-style' iconic red shorts on stage in 2008." He added that over 1,000 people viewed the lot online prior to the auction, and with 16 bids from bidders in the UK, Spain, and the USA, the shorts sold for over five times their estimate to a winning bidder in the USA.
The iconic 2008 performance
Winehouse, who died in 2011 aged 27, performed on the Main Stage at Balado in Kinross-shire on Sunday, 13 July 2008. Her appearance was uncertain after she cancelled her anticipated 2007 performance due to exhaustion from a year of non-stop touring following the release of her 2006 album Back To Black. Despite a turbulent year personally, her T in the Park set was a triumph, hailed by fans as one of her most iconic shows. She delivered a 14-song set including hits from Back To Black and covers such as Sam Cooke's "Cupid" and The Specials' "Hey, Little Rich Girl," closing with her famous version of The Zutons' "Valerie."
Fashion legacy
Julien's described the red denim shorts as "a part of Winehouse's legacy as influential in women's fashion during the 2000s," noting that "the short shorts and chunky belt became a marker of alternative femme fashion." The auction highlights the enduring interest in the late singer's memorabilia, particularly pieces associated with her most memorable performances.
