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 | £90 (~$120) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £76 (~$102) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £58 (~$78) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £40 (~$54) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £22 (~$30) | 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 bomber jacket is worth what is being asked:
- Stretched ribbing that no longer recovers
- Broken or replaced zips
- Cracked printed or embroidered patches
- High-street copies of military patterns
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Genuine military issue with contract labels
- Recognised designer and heritage labels
- Intact ribbing at cuffs, collar and hem
- Working original zips
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 bomber jacket, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Stretch a cuff and let it go. Perished ribbing is the classic bomber fault and the thing that makes it look old in photographs.
Give pit-to-pit and length. Bombers are cut boxy and label sizes vary hugely between brands and eras.
Turn it inside out and check under the arms. Satin linings split there and it is worth showing rather than hiding.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Check the inner label for maker and any contract markings
- Stretch the cuffs and hem to test recovery
- Work the main zip fully
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- Front on a hanger, zipped, full jacket in frame
- The ribbed cuffs and hem close up, showing elasticity
- The inner label with brand, size and composition
- The lining and any tear, pull or stain
Details to confirm before you commit
- Outer material and lining composition
- Pit-to-pit and body length laid flat
- Condition of the ribbing at cuffs, collar and hem
- Whether the zip is one-way or two-way and runs cleanly
Live bomber jacket 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
Strongest from September to November and again in early spring. Nylon bombers sell year round; wool and leather ones follow the cold.
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 bomber jacket 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 bomber jacket for what to photograph and how to price, or what bomber jacket is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used bomber jacket?
Around £13 to £58 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 bomber jacket 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 bomber jacket 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 · bomber jacket value guide · selling bomber jacket · Clothing · condition grades.