Lining tears
Also: torn lining · ripped lining · lining damage
Lining tears are rips and separations in the inner fabric of jackets, coats, and skirts, often hidden until the garment is turned inside out. They form at armholes, vents, and pockets under stress, and while less visible than shell damage, they still weigh on structural integrity and functional wear.
How to detect it
- Turn the garment inside out and inspect the full lining, not just the shell
- Check armhole seams, vents, and pocket bags, where linings split first
- Look for a loose flap of lining hanging free or a ripped pocket bag
Grade impact
Lining tears are graded under Structural Integrity (25%). A small tear in a hidden lining seam keeps an item near Very Good (7); a shredded lining or a torn-out pocket bag that affects use pulls it toward Good (6) or Fair (5).
Fixability
Repairable, sometimes cheaply. A tailor can restitch a torn lining seam or replace a pocket bag; a fully deteriorated lining may need full replacement, which is costlier but restores the piece.
How to disclose it
Photograph the inside ('lining torn at the right armhole, shell is clean'). Because linings hide from a standard photo, an inside-out shot is what keeps a lining tear from being a surprise.
Lining tears — frequently asked
- Does a torn lining matter if the outside looks perfect?
- Yes. Lining tears are graded under Structural Integrity even when the shell is flawless, because they affect durability and use. They're often an inexpensive tailor repair, but buyers should still see an inside-out photo before purchase.
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