Grading a used maxi dress
Grading a used maxi dress spans a lot of fabric, so the grade leads with the hem that drags the ground — fraying, dirt, and snags at the floor-length edge — then checks the underarms, zipper, and any thin, flowy fabric for pulls, seam slippage, and the stains that show on light colours.
What to check
- Floor-length hem — fraying, dirt line, and snags from dragging
- Underarm staining and odor on a full-coverage bodice
- Zipper and closure function on a long back seam
- Seam slippage and pulls in thin, flowy fabric
How to grade it, step by step
- 1
Inspect the hem
Because a maxi hem drags the floor, check the full circumference for fraying, ground-in dirt, and snags — the first area to show wear.
- 2
Check the bodice
Look at the underarms for staining and the neckline and waist seams for slippage or pulls in lightweight fabric.
- 3
Run the closure
Zip the full length and test any hook or tie, then scan light-coloured fabric for stains that read strongly against the base.
Graded examples
| Grade | Why |
|---|---|
| 9 (NWOT) | Clean hem, no underarm marks, zipper smooth. |
| 6 (Good) | Faint hem soiling, bodice clean, closure intact. |
| 3 (Poor) | Frayed dirt-lined hem and underarm staining. |
Every grade sits on the GradeThread 1.0–10.0 scale.
Flaws to watch on this garment
Frequently asked
- What wears out first on a maxi dress?
- The hem. A floor-length hem drags across the ground with every step, so it collects dirt, frays at the edge, and picks up snags long before the rest of the dress shows age. Grading a maxi dress starts at the hem, because that's where the wear concentrates.
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