Encore Dance Closet Costume Assessment Guide

Welcome to Encore Dance Closet's Costume Assessment Guide. To ensure that our customers receive high-quality pre-loved dance costumes, we thoroughly assess each item before listing it on our platform. This guide explains how we evaluate costumes to maintain quality, consistency, and satisfaction for both buyers and sellers. We don’t list anything we don’t consider at least in "Fair" condition.

Categories of Costume Quality

1. Like New: costumes in this category appear nearly new and show no signs of wear. They have been worn minimally and are free from any visible defects or damages.

• No stains, tears, or odors
• Sequins, stones, embellishments, and appliques are fully intact (whether sewn or glued)
• All zippers, snaps, and closures work perfectly
• The costume maintains its original look and design

2. Good: costumes in good condition may show light signs of wear but remain in excellent wearable condition. Minor imperfections do not impact the overall appearance or functionality of the costume.

• Slight wear on fabric (e.g., slight pilling or fading)
• Minor loose threads or small, unnoticeable snags
• Embellishments may have light wear but are largely intact
• Fasteners and closures function properly

3. Fair: costumes categorized as fair show more noticeable signs of use but are still functional and wearable for performances or practice.

• Noticeable wear on fabric (e.g., more significant fading, pilling, or slight fabric thinning)
• Some embellishments or stones may be missing, but the overall look remains intact
• Fasteners work, but some wear may be noticeable
• No strong odors or major visible stains

4. Costumes Below "Fair" Condition

We don’t list anything we don’t consider at least in "Fair" condition. If a costume is assessed as below "Fair," we will contact you to arrange for its return.

How We Assess Costumes

At Encore Dance Closet, we follow a thorough process to assess each costume before listing it on our platform.

1. Inspect the Fabric

We carefully examine the fabric for any visible damage, including holes, stains, or excessive wear. Costumes must be free of major imperfections to ensure they meet our standards.

2. Check the Fit and Construction

We ensure that the costume maintains its original construction and is performance-ready.

3. Examine the Embellishments

We review all sequins, stones, and other embellishments (whether sewn or glued) to make sure they are securely attached and that none are noticeably missing.

4. Test the Fasteners

We test all zippers, buttons, snaps, and Velcro closures to ensure they function properly and show minimal wear.

5. Review for Odors and Stains

We ensure the costume is free of strong odors and check for any noticeable stains that would prevent it from being wearable.

Assessment and Pricing Notification

Once we complete the assessment of your costume, we will email you with the results of your costume's condition categorization ("Like New," "Good," or "Fair") along with the suggested pricing based on its condition, brand, and market demand. This ensures transparency and allows you to know exactly how your costume will be presented on our platform.

For any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us at info@encoredancecloset.com.