Second-hand clothing condition grades describe how much wear a piece has had. On Rewear there are five: new with tags (unworn, tags still attached), new without tags (unworn, no tags), very good (worn a few times, no flaws), good (worn, minor signs of wear) and satisfactory (visible wear, still wearable). The grade is a summary; the photos and the description fill in the detail.
Choosing the right grade is one of the simplest ways to sell smoothly and avoid disappointed buyers. Here is what each one means in practice.
New with tags
Unworn, with the original tags still attached. The piece should look exactly as it did in the shop: no marks, no washing, no alterations.
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As a seller: photograph the tags clearly. If you tried it on at home, that is fine, but if you wore it out even once, it is not new.
As a buyer: check the tag photos and the description. A piece can be new with tags and still have a small factory fault, which an honest seller will mention.
New without tags
Unworn, but the tags have been removed. Common for gifts, impulse buys and pieces that were tried on and never worn.
As a seller: say why there are no tags if you know: "tags removed, never worn". Make sure it has not been washed in a way that changed it.
As a buyer: look for signs of wear at the cuffs, collar and underarms. These should look untouched.
Very good
Worn a few times, with no flaws. The fabric still looks fresh, the shape is intact, and there are no marks, holes, pilling or fading you would notice.
As a seller: this is the grade most likely to be overused. If there is any bobbling, a faint mark or any fading, it is probably "good" instead.
As a buyer: expect a piece that looks almost new at a normal distance, with perhaps the slight softness that comes from a few washes.
Good
Worn, with minor signs of wear. A little pilling, slight fading, a faint mark or softened fabric. Nothing that stops it being worn and enjoyed.
As a seller: list the signs of wear in the description and show them in close-ups. On Rewear you can list flaws and pin each one to the photo that shows it.
As a buyer: read the description to the end and zoom in on the photos. Minor wear is expected at this grade.
Satisfactory
Visible wear, but still wearable. Noticeable fading, pilling, marks or small repairs. These pieces often suit workwear, gardening, festivals, crafting or anyone happy with a well-loved look.
As a seller: be specific about every issue and price accordingly. A satisfactory piece described honestly can still sell.
As a buyer: expect to see wear. Ask the seller about anything not clear from the photos.
How to choose the right grade
Before you list, check the piece in daylight, inside and out:
- Underarms and sides for pilling and marks.
- Cuffs, collar and hem for fraying and wear.
- Seat and knees on trousers and jeans for thinning and shine.
- Fabric held up to a window for small holes.
- Buttons, zips and fastenings, all working and all present.
- The inside, including linings and seams.
- Smell, especially smoke, damp and perfume.
If you are torn between two grades, choose the lower one. A buyer who receives something better than expected leaves happy. A buyer who receives something worse may report it as not as described.
Condition and price
Condition is the biggest single factor in pricing. A piece in very good condition can usually ask noticeably more than the same piece in good condition. Our guide on how to price second-hand clothes explains how condition, brand and season work together.
Beauty is different
Make-up, skincare and other beauty products on Rewear do not use these five grades. They can only be listed as new, either sealed or unused with no seal, because they go on skin. Our guide to selling and buying second-hand beauty explains why.
When the condition is not as described
If a piece arrives with damage the seller did not mention, or in clearly worse condition than its grade, do not confirm delivery. Message the seller through the app and open a problem report on the order promptly; our Terms set out how long you have after delivery. Your payment is held until you confirm the piece arrived as described. Our guide to buying second-hand safely has the details.
Selling? Describe it like a buyer
The grade gets a buyer's attention; the description and photos win their trust. Our guides to writing a clothing listing description and photographing clothes to sell show how.
The short version
New with tags and new without tags are unworn. Very good means worn a few times with no flaws, good means minor wear, and satisfactory means visible wear but still wearable. Check in daylight, choose the lower grade when unsure, and show every flaw in the photos.
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