The iconic sweater vest worn by star Matthew Broderick in director John Hughes’ classic 1986 film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” sold at a Sotheby’s auction on Tuesday for a whopping $279,400.
According to the Sotheby’s listing, the sweater vest sold in good condition with “minimal pilling and loose threads consistent with age and production use.”
The vest was sold as part of a lot of memorabilia, which also included a Chicago Cubs ticket from the film and a baseball autographed by Charles Feeney.
The story behind the sale
The sky-high sale is a testament to the lasting cultural impact of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off—often described as Hughes’ love letter to Chicago.
The film follows charismatic high schooler Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) as he ditches class with his friends Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara) and Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck) for a whirlwind adventure around the streets of the Windy City.
Their escapades include visits to numerous local landmarks like the Art Institute, Wrigley Field, and Daley Plaza.
According to Sotheby’s, the vest’s story began at Marshall Field’s, the now-defunct Chicago-based department store chain. Costume designer Marilyn Vance fashioned the vest from a geometric-patterned cardigan she plucked from the racks—and the rest is history.