PROCESS & PRODUCT ORIGIN

How does this work?

Every AWE piece starts as a secondhand garment. We sort, grade, and clean each one in our Los Angeles studio, and when needed, overdye it to bring it back to life.

You shop by color, size, and grade—not by exact photo—because no two pieces are identical. The images shown represent the general look, tone, and fit you can expect within that range.

Once you order, we hand-select your specific piece and ship it to you—ready for its next chapter

Do you make new blanks?

Never. 

We only process what already exists. AWE’s goal is to prove that circular systems can outperform linear ones in both quality and creativity.

What is the difference between SOLIDS and FADES?

Solids- as close to new as we do. Our ideal solid is a perfect second hand t-shirt that gets quality controlled, graded, laundered and sent to you. When needed, we overdye these solids to create the perfect hue with which to present our customers. 

Fades - Special pieces that show more signs of wear. Garments with a lived history that shines through in both look and feel. Our ideal fade is the perfectly patinated second hand t-shirt. When needed, we integrate assisted aging techniques to enhance a garment and balance out its natural character. Fades are our specialty, and much harder to come by, hence the higher price point you see on site. 

Are all AWE pieces vintage?

All of our pieces are secondhand - but to be classified as vintage garments need to be at least 25 years old and our garments run the range from 1990s to early 21st Century, the majority of our pieces are from the early to mid 2000's. 

What is Expanded Spectral Tolerance? 

At A.W.E color isn’t a fixed value- it’s a spectrum shaped by time, wear and human stories. Our expanded spectral tolerance system honors the natural evolution of vintage fabrics, curating hues that reflect decades of life, not pantone codes.

How do you grade and standardize your garments? 

We have internal grading standards that allow for minimal variance within each piece, striving to deliver you with as much consistency as possible while staying true to our mission. For specific information on each sizing standard, please see our sizing chart.

Are all pieces 100% cotton?

There is no way for us to accurately verify a garment’s fabric contents without destroying a piece of the garment itself. Many of our pieces are 100% cotton while some contain blended fabrics. All AWE garments are rigorously quality controlled by our team to meet our standards. 

Are the pieces treated?

When needed, AWE garments are dyed to create the colors you see available on our site. We never manufacture new garments, only process 100% secondhand pieces to provide you with the best possible product. 

Do the pieces smell? 

Nope - everything undergoes a commercial cleaning process. 

Where do your garments come from?

Our garments are sourced from verified secondhand streams across the U.S., including donation centers like Salvation Army and Goodwill as well as industrial sorters. Every piece is hand-selected for quality and potential—never overproduced or made new. What’s that saying about one man’s trash again? 

Where are you located?

All AWE products are pulled from one of our two warehouses in Los Angeles, California. 

SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Do you just send me a random piece? 

Yes and no. All garments have been controlled to meet the AWE standard and fall within our standard color gradients. So yes, you’re not selecting your exact hoodie, but no, you’re not getting a random piece either.

Can I pick my piece? 

Sure! For $250. Please email support@americanwaste.studio with your request and phone number. A team member will be in touch and to provide you a bespoke shopping service. $200 of your fee will go towards product credit while the remaining $50 will go towards therapy for the staff member who assists you. 

Again, we implore you to reject sartorial uniformity :) 

What happens after I order?

Once your order is placed, a member of our Los Angeles Studio team personally selects, grades, and packs your garment based on your chosen color range and size.

What if it doesn't fit or I don't like it? 

If you’re dissatisfied with your garment, we’re here to help. Please email support@americanwaste.studio for any and all questions or concerns and we will be happy to assist you in whatever way possible. 

Can I request specific details (tag, brand, fit)?

In short: no. We do not offer specialized product selection on site. We ask that you trust our quality control standards to deliver you the best possible product per our product descriptions. We promise, you won’t be disappointed… and if you are: see above.

Can I exchange for a different piece or color?

Because each piece is one-of-a-kind, we can’t offer traditional exchanges—but we do offer store credit for returns within 14 days if your item doesn’t meet expectations.

What happens if a piece is damaged?

If you consider your piece damaged upon reception please email support@americanwaste.studio. Again, all our faded pieces are inherently damaged, you know this since you chose to pay more for it. If your product isn’t palatable please email us and we’ll make another random selection.

Do you accept garment donations or trade-ins?

Not yet—but we’re building a return-to-AWE program that will allow customers to send back worn pieces for resale or recycling credit.

How is this different from thrifting or vintage shopping?

Traditional thrifting is laborious. AWE is curated, cleaned, standardized, and quality-controlled—bringing structure and reliability to the chaos of the secondhand world.

CARE AND LONGEVITY

How should I care for my AWE garment?

Our pieces have already lived one life—your care helps them live many more.

Will the color fade over time?

Some will, some won’t—and that’s part of the design. Our dyes and existing pigments evolve uniquely with wear, furthering each piece’s story.