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Thrift Grading

At Puff & Thrift, we take the guesswork out of ukay shopping. We embrace both the pristine grails and the beautifully distressed beaters. Here is exactly how we grade every single piece.

The 5-Level System
1

Premium / Excellent

Pristine condition ranging from brand new to having super minor, barely noticeable flaws.

1A

Deadstock / NWT

Found with the original retail paper tags still attached. Completely unwashed, unworn, and flawless.

A thrilling time-capsule find.
1B

Like New / Pristine

Appears completely unworn. Crisp fabric, intact prints, and vibrant original colors with zero damage.

1C

Excellent / Light Wear

Worn lightly by a previous owner. Graphics are fully intact with no cracking. Fabric retains its original structure.

1D

Near Perfect

An otherwise flawless piece that has one microscopic flaw, such as a single loose thread inside the hem.

1E

Super Minor Wash Wear

Shows the absolute faintest signs of being washed (extremely light fuzziness), but the print is 99% intact and there are zero holes or stains.

2

Great / Standard Thrift

Normal signs of use. Minor damages like slight fading or microscopic flaws that don't affect wearability.

2A

Standard Wash Wear

Normal, even fading across the garment. The fabric is still strong, but it looks like a comfortably broken-in shirt.

Perfectly broken-in for maximum comfort.
2B

Minor Graphic Cracking

The front print or logo shows slight surface cracking due to age and washing, but nothing is peeling or falling off.

Gives graphics an authentic vintage texture.
2C

Faint Blemish

Contains a very light, barely noticeable mark (usually near the bottom hem) that is easily ignored or might wash out with treatment.

2D

Single Micro-Pinhole

Has exactly one tiny hole (1-2mm wide), typically hidden near the waistline or back shoulder.

2E

Slight Edge Wear

The extreme edges of the collar or sleeve cuffs are showing very early signs of rubbing or slight stretching, but no tears.

3

Good / Vintage Character

Noticeable but acceptable wear. Features small stains, tiny holes, or beautiful vintage fading.

3A

Vintage Sun-Fade

Distinct sun-fading or overall color wash out. A highly desirable look with no actual structural damage.

A gorgeous, natural patina that brands try to replicate.
3B

Small Visible Hole

Contains a noticeable but small hole, such as a minor pit unthreading or a small snag on the main body.

Authentic thrift character.
3C

Noticeable Stain

Features a distinct, small mark like a coffee spot or light ink mark that is visible but doesn't ruin the overall look.

3D

Moderate Graphic Wear

The graphic print is noticeably cracked, slightly distressed, or faded heavily into the fabric of the shirt.

Gives the shirt a perfectly worn-in, retro vibe.
3E

Thinned Fabric

The fabric has become significantly softer, thinner, and drapier from years of use.

Unbeatably soft. Drapes perfectly on the body.
4

Fair / Daily Beaters

Distinct flaws like paint splatters, multiple holes, or heavy fraying. Perfect for workwear or grunge looks.

4A

Paint / Oil Marks

Visible permanent marks like paint splatters, oil spots, or bleach stains.

Tells a story. The ultimate authentic workwear aesthetic.
4B

Multiple Holes

Contains several small holes scattered around the piece, or one slightly larger, more noticeable tear.

Excellent ventilation and genuine grunge appeal.
4C

Heavy Fraying

The collar, cuffs, or bottom hem are noticeably chewed up, frayed, or shredded from heavy daily use.

Skater-approved. Gives the item a tough, lived-in edge.
4D

Yellowing / Discoloration

Features noticeable yellowing around the neckline, armpits, or large wash discoloration marks.

4E

Visible Repairs

A previous owner has visibly stitched a tear back together, or the item features non-original replaced buttons or patches.

Beautiful "Wabi-Sabi" visible mending. A true 1-of-1 piece.
5

Distressed / As-Is

Thrashed garments sold strictly "As-Is" for rework, upcycling, or extreme distressed aesthetics.

5A

Naturally Thrashed

Massive blowouts, completely shredded collars, or destroyed hems.

Genuine grunge appeal that high-fashion brands charge thousands for.
5B

Major Stains

Severe dye bleeding or massive, dark permanent stains covering a large area of the garment. Will not wash out.

5C

Cut / Altered

Permanently modified by a previous owner. Sleeves chopped off, raw cropped hem, or drastically altered silhouettes.

A unique, customized silhouette ready for layering.
5D

Broken Hardware

Zippers are completely broken, snaps are missing, or structural seams are split open. Needs a tailor before wearing.

5E

Scrap / Upcycle Material

Fabric is severely damaged, dry-rotted, or will rip upon pulling.

The perfect cheap canvas for sewing projects, patchwork, or designers.

Retail vs. Bundles

Here is how our grading system is applied to the two different ways you can shop at Puff & Thrift.

1. Raw Bales

Freshly opened bulk ukay bales, straight from the source. Untouched and unsorted.

2. In-House Grading

Every piece is hand-inspected, washed, and assigned a strict grade from 1 to 5 based on condition.

Retail Racks

Strict Leveling. Sold individually. You pay precisely for the exact Grade (1-5) you choose. No surprises, absolute transparency.

Curated Bundles

Balanced Value. Because "thrift is thrift," bundles mix grades! We balance a Level 1 Grail with a Level 3 piece to give you the ultimate bang for your buck.