CONDITION OF VINTAGE FASHION
Vintage clothes are, by definition, used garments with heritage. It is therefore important to properly understand their condition, particularly when shopping online. ATELIER-MAYER.COM’s comprehensive product descriptions include detailed visuals and a researched, historical provenance for each piece. ATELIER-MAYER.COM specifies any damage or irregularities an item may have.
The older a piece of clothing is, the more likely it will display indications of its age. Signs of wear should be expected. Although condition ranks as a main buying consideration for vintage clothing, it is not as crucial for older items.
Here is a list of common vintage condition clothing classifications:
Mint
The item is as perfect and pristine as when it was originally made and shows no sign of wear (mint condition is rare for vintage clothing).
Near mint
The item shows only the slightest signs of wear.
Excellent
The item shows typical signs of wear due to occasional use.
Very Good
The item is considered wearable but has some surface flaws, i.e., staining, soiling or colour damage.
Good
The item is wearable, but cannot be restored to excellent condition even if repairs are made.
Wearable
The item definitely shows signs of wear. It might be too fragile to use, however, it is still considered as collectable.
Value Tips
The best way to ascertain the value of vintage clothing is to do establish its historical provenance. To get an eye, educate yourself by reading articles or buying books about vintage. Attend vintage fairs and auctions; there are many resources available, especially online.
Get to know the particular clothing styles and characteristics of the era you are drawn to. This way, you will know what to look for – and, most importantly, what to avoid, such as reproductions.
For some vintage clothing collectors, an item must have a label (although many of collectable vintage clothing will not have labels). Condition and quality count when buying for investment or resale purposes. You might fall in love with a piece, but if there are too many flaws, the value may be lost.
Maintaining value
Once you purchase a collector piece of vintage clothing, you need to ensure that its value does not diminish. Read about Care and Storage of Vintage Clothing.
