Authenticity and Condition Policy
The name is a warning. False vintage is a reproduction sold as old, a modern piece aged to look worn, or an ordinary piece priced like a rarity. We sell pieces marketed at their real age, checked by hand, and we tell you what we know and how we know it. Whether a piece is worth it to you is your call; value is in the eye of the beholder. This policy forms part of our Terms.
1. Authenticity guarantee
- We sell only genuine items. We do not knowingly list counterfeits, replicas or "inspired by" copies, disclosed or not.
- Designer and high-value pieces are checked before listing, including labels, RN or CA numbers, construction, hardware, printing and materials.
- If a piece you bought from us is shown not to be authentic, we will refund the full amount you paid, including all shipping, taxes and duties, and pay for its return. You may make an authenticity claim for up to 180 days after delivery. We may ask for a written opinion from a recognised independent authentication service or the brand; if that opinion confirms the item is not authentic, we reimburse its reasonable cost.
- This guarantee does not cover items damaged, altered or swapped after delivery.
2. How we date pieces
When we describe a piece by decade ("90s", "1970s"), we base it on evidence: the care and brand labels, RN and CA numbers, union labels, country of origin, fibre content, stitching (for example, single-stitch hems on t-shirts), hardware and zip makers, print methods and copyright dates. Where the evidence points to a range, we give the range. Where we cannot support an era, we say "vintage-style", "Y2K-era" or give no date. Era descriptions are our honest professional opinion based on that evidence, not a certificate.
A reissue or a modern reproduction is described as one, with the year it was made where we can tell.
3. How we grade condition
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| Deadstock | Never worn; may have original tags. May still show age from storage, such as fold lines or faint discoloration, which we photograph. |
| Excellent | Worn but no notable flaws. Light, even wear consistent with age. |
| Very good | Minor flaws that do not stand out when worn, such as light fading, slight pilling or a very small mark. Each is described and photographed. |
| Good | Visible wear or flaws, such as noticeable fading, small holes, stains, repairs or cracked prints. Each is described and photographed. |
| Distressed | Heavy wear, multiple holes, staining or thrashing, sold for character. Usually Final Sale; the listing will say so. |
We list every flaw we find and photograph it. Vintage items may still have tiny flaws we did not notice; where these are minor and consistent with the grade, they do not make an item not as described.
4. Measurements
We measure every garment flat, by hand, and list the measurements. Pit-to-pit is measured straight across the chest one inch below the armpits; length runs from the highest point of the shoulder or collar seam to the bottom hem; inseam and waist on trousers are measured flat. Measurements are rounded to the nearest half inch and can vary by about half an inch. The letter size we show is based on these measurements, not on the tag.
5. Cleaning and odours
Unless a listing says it has been washed or professionally cleaned, assume a piece has not been, and clean it before wearing according to its fabric. We note noticeable odours. Vintage fabrics can be fragile; we are not responsible for damage from washing or dry-cleaning after delivery.
6. Materials and safety
- Fibre content is taken from the label where present. Where labels are missing, we give our best identification and say so.
- Some older items were made before modern safety standards and may contain materials no longer used. Vintage items are sold for adult use and are not intended for children.
- Items containing animal materials (leather, wool, fur, feathers, exotic skins) are identified in the listing as far as we can determine.