Condition Guide
Every Story Found piece is individually checked before it becomes part of the collection.
Because preloved clothing has already had a life before it reaches us, signs of wear can vary from piece to piece. We assess the garment as a whole, including its fabric, construction, colour, finish and overall appearance, before assigning a condition grade.
Any notable marks, fading, repairs or imperfections will be clearly described in the individual product listing.
- 'New with Tags' - Brand new and unworn with the original tags attached.
- 'New without Tags' - Brand new and unworn without the original tags. No signs of wear.
- 'Excellent' - Beautifully cared for and in excellent preloved condition. Any signs of wear are minimal and do not detract from the overall appearance.
- 'Very Good' - Beautifully cared for with light signs of wear consistent with gentle use. Any notable marks, repairs or imperfections will be clearly described.
- 'Good' - A well-loved piece with more noticeable signs of wear, such as fading, small marks or repairs. Still plenty of life left, and any imperfections will be clearly described.
Marks, fading and signs of wear
Some preloved pieces will naturally show evidence of their previous life.
This may include light fading, small marks, gentle fabric wear or other signs of use. These do not automatically exclude a piece from the Story Found collection.
What matters is the garment as a whole. If we still believe the quality, design and character make it worth finding, we may choose to include it.
Any notable signs of wear will be described as clearly as possible in the listing.
Names and markings on labels
Sometimes a previous owner has left their name behind on a care or size label. We think of these small traces as part of the story a garment carries with it.
Names or markings on internal labels do not affect the wearability of the garment and may be present on some preloved pieces.
Repairs
Some pieces may need a little care before they are ready to be worn again.
Where appropriate, we make simple repairs such as mending a small hole, securing a loose seam or strengthening an area of wear.
Repairs are made with the aim of extending the life and wearability of the garment, and any known repairs will be clearly noted in the product listing.
Vintage and older pieces
Vintage and older garments may show signs of age that are different from newer preloved clothing.
This can include fading, softened fabric, minor wear or small imperfections that have developed over time.
We take the age and nature of the piece into account when assessing its condition and will always describe details we believe are important for you to know before purchasing.
Product photographs
Our photographs form part of the condition description.
We photograph each piece carefully and aim to show its true colour, texture, shape and any notable wear or imperfections as accurately as possible.
We recommend reviewing both the photographs and written condition notes before purchasing.
Still unsure?
If you would like more information about the condition of a particular piece, email us at hello@storyfound.com.au before purchasing and we’ll be happy to help.