FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Anything we haven't covered, write to us at hello@avesso.nl. We read every message and we'll always reply.

The clothes

What does Avesso sell? Curated vintage menswear — shirts, trousers, knitwear, outerwear and the occasional surprise. We don't stock filler. If it's in the shop, we'd wear it ourselves.

Is everything vintage? Yes. Everything we sell has had a life before you. We see that as the point, not a caveat.

Is each piece one of a kind? Almost always. Most of what we carry exists in a single size, in a single condition — so when something's gone, it's usually gone for good. New arrivals go out first in our newsletter.

What condition are the clothes in? We grade every piece on a simple four-point scale and describe the specifics in each listing:

Grade A — Excellent. No visible wear, all original components intact. Our rarest grade — we only use it when it's true.
Grade B — Good. Light signs of wear consistent with careful use. No damage.
Grade C — Well worn. Visible patina, fading, or minor repairs. Worth having for the right piece — every flaw is named.
Grade D — Project piece. Needs some work. Listed only when the garment is special enough to justify it, and always clearly stated.

We never describe anything as perfect or mint. Nothing vintage is, and we'd rather you knew exactly what you're getting.

Are the clothes cleaned before you sell them? Yes. Everything is pre-washed and ready to wear when it reaches you.

What does "Avesso" mean? It's Portuguese for inside out — the hidden side of a garment, where the quality lives. There's more on that on our Our story page.

Size and fit

How do I know if something will fit? Every listing has measurements taken flat — chest, length, sleeve, and so on. The most reliable way to choose is to lay a similar garment of your own flat and compare. We also note the height and usual size of the models wearing each piece, as a rough guide.

The size on the label looks off — why? Vintage garments often don't follow modern sizing, and labels can stretch the truth. That's why we lead with the actual measurements rather than the label size. Trust the numbers over the tag.

Can you help me decide on a size? Gladly. Send the piece and your usual measurements to hello@avesso.nl and we'll give you an honest read on whether it'll work.

Ordering and payment

How can I pay? You can pay with the methods shown at checkout.

Can I hold or reserve a piece? We don't reserve items — because each one is unique, the fairest approach is first come, first served. If something's in your cart, it isn't yours until checkout is complete.

Do you restock sold-out pieces? No. Each piece is one of a kind, so once it's sold it won't come back. New finds arrive regularly — the newsletter is the first place we share them.

Shipping and delivery

Where do you ship? We currently ship to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria and Luxembourg. We're working on more.

How much does shipping cost? Standard home delivery, calculated once per order and shown at checkout before you pay:

Netherlands — €5.95
Germany and Belgium — €9.95
France, Austria and Luxembourg — €13.95

How long will delivery take? We dispatch within one to two working days. After that:

Netherlands — 1 to 2 working days
Germany and Belgium — 3 to 5 working days
France, Austria and Luxembourg — 3 to 5 working days

By law we'll deliver within 30 days at the latest. If for any reason we can't, we'll tell you, and you're free to wait or cancel for a full refund.

Do you offer express shipping? No. For a single folded garment, express pricing would be wildly out of proportion to the service — so we've left it out rather than charge for it.

Will my order be tracked? Yes. Every order ships with tracking, and you'll get an email with the link the moment it's on its way.

Are there customs charges or import duties? No. We ship within the EU only, so there's nothing extra to pay on arrival.

Returns and refunds

Can I return something? Yes. If a piece simply isn't for you, you have 14 days to send it back — no reason needed. This is your right of withdrawal under EU and Dutch law, and it sits alongside your statutory rights, never instead of them.

How do I start a return? Tell us within 14 days of receiving your order, by emailing returns@avesso.nl. Any clear statement is enough — there's also a model withdrawal form on our Refund policy page if you'd rather use it. Once you've told us, you have a further 14 days to send the item back.

Can I try it on first? Yes — try it on as you would in a shop, to see how it fits. Just handle it with the same care we did. If a piece comes back showing wear beyond a normal try-on, we may reduce the refund to reflect the loss in value. And since each piece is one of a kind, please send it back well packed, ideally the way it arrived.

Who pays for return postage? If you're sending something back because it wasn't for you, the return postage is yours. If it arrived faulty, damaged, or not as we described it, the return is on us — we'll arrange and cover it.

When will I get my refund? Within 14 days of telling us you wish to withdraw, once the item is back with us or you've shown us it's on its way. We refund what you paid for the piece plus the standard delivery cost, to the same payment method you used. It won't cost you anything.

What if it arrives damaged or not as described? That's on us. Write to orders@avesso.nl, ideally with a photo, and we'll sort it — a repair, replacement, price reduction, or refund, depending on what's wrong. Note that signs of age matching the grade we gave a piece are part of what you're buying, not a fault.

Packaging and gifts

How is my order packaged? By hand, in Rotterdam. The garment is wrapped in tissue, and sealed with a card that includes a guide to the laundry symbols. There's a light spray of our signature scent, fresh and clean, in the box.

Can I send a piece as a gift? Every order is packed carefully enough to give as it arrives. If it's a gift and you'd like us to leave the price off or add a short note, mention it at checkout or email hello@avesso.nl and we'll take care of it.

Sourcing and selling

Where do the clothes come from? We source from a mix of places — the work is in the finding and the checking. Every piece is inspected and graded by hand before it goes up.

Can I sell my clothes to you? Not at the moment, though it's something we'd like to do properly in time. If you have pieces you think would suit Avesso, write to hello@avesso.nl — we're always happy to take a look.

Is buying vintage really better? One garment, worn twice as long, is better than two bought and forgotten. We're not here to lecture anyone — we just think the good stuff already exists, and a jacket worth keeping shouldn't end up in a bin. We're here so it doesn't.