Condition is the single biggest driver of secondhand value — bigger than brand, bigger than age. It's also where most resale disappointment comes from: one person's “great condition” is another's “visibly worn.” This guide explains the five grades used on PoshWorn (and most of the resale world), what each one really means, and how to grade your own pieces honestly.
The five grades, decoded
New with tags (NWT)
Never worn, original tags still attached. The garment should look exactly as it did on the rack — no storage smells, no fold-line fading, no missing spare buttons. If the tags are off but it's genuinely unworn, that's “Like new,” not NWT.
Like new
Worn once or twice at most, with zero visible signs of it. Crisp fabric, sharp color, elastic that snaps back, soles (for shoes) that show only a whisper of contact. The honest test: if you handed it to a friend as new, would they believe you?
Excellent
Gently worn and well cared for. Color is still strong, fabric hasn't pilled, and there are no flaws you'd notice at arm's length. Minor signs of life are allowed — a softly broken-in feel — but nothing you'd need to disclose with a close-up photo.
Good
Clearly worn and clearly loved, with honest wear that doesn't affect how it looks when dressed: light pilling in friction zones, slight fading, a pinpoint mark that's hard to find twice. Good-grade pieces are the value sweet spot of secondhand — most of the life at a fraction of the price. Flaws should still be photographed.
Fair
Visible flaws that a buyer must accept going in: a repaired seam, noticeable fading, a small stain or snag. Fair pieces deserve full transparency — every flaw photographed and described — and pricing that reflects it. They're perfect for workwear, projects, and beaters.
How to grade your own clothes (the 5-minute check)
- Daylight inspection. Indoor lighting hides fading and stains. Check the whole garment near a window, front and back.
- Friction zones. Underarms, collar, cuffs, inner thighs, and anywhere a bag strap sits. Pilling and sheen show up here first.
- Hardware and seams. Run every zipper, check every button, tug the seams gently. A missing spare button is fine; a strained seam is a disclosure.
- The smell test. Seriously. Smoke and storage odors survive a wash cycle and guarantee a return. When in doubt, air it out.
- Grade down, not up. If you're stuck between two grades, choose the lower one. Under-promising is how sellers earn 5-star reviews.
How PoshWorn grades Verified pieces
Items sold as PoshWorn Verified don't rely on self-grading: each one passes a six-point warehouse check — seams, fabric, closures, odor, wear, and authenticity cues — after being washed and refreshed. Community sellers use the same five-grade scale you just read, clearly badged so you always know which kind of listing you're looking at.
Now that you speak fluent condition grade: browse the shop and filter by the grades you trust, or grade your own closet and turn it into cash.