What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £25 (~$33) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £21 (~$28) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £16 (~$22) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £11 (~$15) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £6 (~$8) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Sizing, above everything. A garment that does not fit is the commonest reason a second-hand clothing purchase disappoints, and it is entirely avoidable by asking for flat measurements rather than trusting the label.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a sports bra is worth what is being asked:
- Slack elastic that no longer supports
- Missing removable pads
- Pilling and bobbling on the band
- Unbranded bras, worth very little
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised activewear brands
- Elastic with full recovery in band and straps
- Removable pads still present
- Higher support levels, which are in demand
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeits concentrate in a handful of premium labels and are usually given away by the internal tags rather than the outside: font weight, stitch density on the label edge, and a care label that does not match the era of the design.
Ask for a photograph of the inner label and the garment laid flat with a tape measure across the chest and the length. Both are quick for an honest seller and awkward for anyone who does not have the item in front of them.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a sports bra, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Stretch and release the band and describe what happens. A sports bra with tired elastic does not do its job, and that is the whole purpose of the garment.
Check the pockets and say. Replacement pads are cheap but rarely a perfect match, so buyers want to know.
Read the label or the maker’s description. Someone buying for running cannot use a low-impact bra, however good the price.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Stretch the band and check it recovers fully
- Confirm both pads are present
- Wash it and say clearly that you have
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The bra laid flat, front, whole
- The band stretched slightly, showing it recovers
- The straps and any adjusters or clasp
- The label with size, brand and composition, plus any pilling, mark or missing pad
Details to confirm before you commit
- Size as labelled, and underband measured flat
- Support level — low, medium or high impact
- Whether pads are removable and included
- Elastic condition, described honestly
Live sports bra listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse clothing for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Lifts in January and again in spring. Recognised activewear brands sell within a fortnight; unbranded sports bras are best bundled.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a sports bra sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell sports bra for what to photograph and how to price, or what sports bra is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used sports bra?
Around £4 to £16 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a sports bra before buying?
Ask for a photograph of the inner label and the garment laid flat with a tape measure across the chest and the length. Both are quick for an honest seller and awkward for anyone who does not have the item in front of them.
Is buying a sports bra second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Sizing, above everything. A garment that does not fit is the commonest reason a second-hand clothing purchase disappoints, and it is entirely avoidable by asking for flat measurements rather than trusting the label.
See also: all buying guides · sports bra value guide · selling sports bra · Clothing · condition grades.