Category grading
A pill on a cashmere sweater and a pill on a fleece are not the same finding, and a scuff means something different on a boot than on a blazer. These articles cover what to look at first in each garment category.
Fabric Pilling by Fiber Type: Why Merino Wool, Acrylic, and Cotton Blends Grade Differently
The same pill count means Excellent on merino and Poor on acrylic. Here's how to grade pilling by fiber type instead of by eye alone.
How to Photograph Vintage Clothing Tags for Grading (Without Losing the Sale)
A cracked tag under raking light tells buyers more than a flat overhead shot ever will. Here's the five-shot protocol that catches it before your buyer does.
Suit and Blazer Grading: Shoulder Seam Integrity, Lining Tears, and Buttonhole Wear
A blazer can photograph flawlessly and still fail structurally. Here's how to check the shoulder seam, lining, and buttonholes before you list it.
Vintage Shoe Condition Grades: Sole Wear, Insole Integrity, and Odor Red Flags
A pristine upper can still hide a crumbling insole. Here's the four-zone framework for grading vintage shoe condition before you list — and before you eat a return.
Vintage Band Tee Grading: Fade, Crack, and Print Wear Standards
A cracked graphic can sink a $145 tee to a return case. Here's how to grade vintage band tee fade, print cracking, and provenance so the price matches reality.
Leather Condition Grades: Creasing, Cracking, and Color Shift Explained
A collar cracked jacket, listed as Excellent, came back with a not-as-described claim. Here's how to grade leather so that never happens again.
Denim Grade 7.5: Why Most 'Good Condition' Jeans Miss the Mark
Most 'Good Condition' jeans are actually Very Good or Fair — never both at once. Here's the zone-by-zone method that fixes the mislabel.