Vintage clothing grades explained
Updated
A wholesale clothing grade is only useful when you know the condition it allows. Grade A, Grade B and cream do not tell you enough to compare two suppliers without their definitions.
Separate condition, age and selection
| Term | What to establish before buying |
|---|---|
| Grade A | Which stains, holes, fading, repairs or missing parts are allowed |
| Grade B | How much wear is expected and whether repairs are practical |
| Grade C or rework | Whether pieces are wearable, repairable or suitable only for materials |
| Cream or premium | Whether the premium concerns condition, brands, era or selection |
| Vintage | The claimed age and what evidence supports it |
| Deadstock | Whether items are unworn, whether tags remain and whether storage caused damage |
These are questions to ask, not Stockhouse's official grade definitions or a universal grading standard.
Supplier definitions can differ
LA Vintage's FAQ describes primarily Grade A mixes with some Grade B. The Clothing Warehouse's wholesale guide describes mixed A and B grades. Their terminology does not establish that two lots have identical condition. Sources checked October 28, 2026.
Ask whether the advertised grade applies to every garment or to a proportion of the order. A “mostly A” description needs a written allowance for everything else. Also ask whether photographed pieces are the actual stock or examples.
Vintage and deadstock answer different questions
An unworn garment can still have sun fading, storage marks, brittle elastic or damaged fastenings. Tags do not establish condition, authenticity or age on their own.
Age rules can also depend on the selling channel. For example, Etsy requires vintage items to be at least 20 years old. That is Etsy's rule, checked October 28, 2026; a supplier's “vintage mix” label is not proof that every piece qualifies.
Turn a label into an agreement
Use a description a buyer and supplier can both check:
Please confirm the allowed flaws, maximum share of lower-grade pieces, whether stock is washed, and what happens if the delivered mix falls outside those limits. Are the photos of this lot or a representative sample?
For a narrowly curated shop, specify your exclusions: for example, holes, missing zips, strong odors or repairs. Ask whether the supplier can meet them before ordering. A request does not override the supplier's published terms unless it is accepted.
Inspect the delivery against the description
Keep a copy of the listing. Count and inspect the lot promptly, photographing any mismatch and checking the seller's reporting deadline. Separate flaws allowed by the description from items outside the agreed condition.
Use the result to calculate cost per sellable piece. A cheaper grade may suit a rework business while costing a ready-to-wear seller more in preparation.
Stockhouse plans shared grade definitions for its vetted US sellers when lots launch. It is onboarding sellers now; live inventory is not yet available. Buyers can use the bale checklist, and suppliers can use the wholesale line sheet template to make condition clear.
Questions
- What does Grade A vintage clothing mean?
- Grade A usually describes a supplier's higher-condition used clothing, but the allowed flaws differ. Read that supplier's written definition and ask what percentage of a lot can fall below it.
- Does cream mean the same thing as Grade A?
- Not necessarily. A supplier may use cream to describe condition, desirability or its top selection. Ask what the term guarantees instead of assuming it means flawless or rare.
- Is deadstock always vintage?
- No. Deadstock describes unused or unsold stock; vintage describes age. Recent unsold clothing can be deadstock, while an older worn garment can be vintage without being deadstock.