Trend Grade HQLetter grades for what fashion is selling you

Trend Grade HQ glossary

Cost per wear

Price divided by times worn; the rubric's core metric, where $0.25-1.00 is the strong range for daily items.

Exit test

The question of what an item becomes when its trend ends - wardrobe basic or donation candidate.

Versatility score

How many existing wardrobe pieces a new item pairs with; the multiplier that makes one purchase worth several outfits.

Stitch density

Stitches per inch of seam; 10+ indicates durable construction, under 7 signals fast production.

YKK zipper

The Japanese hardware standard; its stamp on a zip is a reliable proxy for a garment built to last.

Conscious collection

Retail marketing lines using recycled or organic materials; worth checking against the rubric rather than the label.