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 | £50 (~$67) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £42 (~$57) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £32 (~$43) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £22 (~$30) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £12 (~$17) | 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 fleece is worth what is being asked:
- Heavy pilling and matting of the pile
- Broken or separated zips
- Thin high-street fleece
- Faded colours from repeated washing
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised outdoor brands with a following
- Deep-pile and retro-patterned fleeces in demand
- Working full-length zips
- Minimal pilling on the body panels
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 fleece, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
De-bobble it first, then photograph. A shaved fleece looks cared-for and the difference in price is real.
Outdoor brands mark this on the label. Heavier grades are warmer and worth more, and buyers of technical fleece know the difference.
Run each one including the pockets. Fleece zips fail more often than the fabric does.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Run the zip fully and check it does not separate
- Check the pile at the elbows and cuffs for matting
- Note the brand and any model name from the label
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
- The pile close up after de-bobbling, showing texture
- The inner label with brand and grade
- Cuffs, hem, pockets and any pull, burn or stain
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model and fleece grade or weight if stated
- Full zip, half zip or pullover
- Pit-to-pit and length laid flat
- Pile condition, and whether all zips and pockets work
Live fleece 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
Autumn and winter, with a lift each September for outdoor season. Recognised outdoor brands sell year round.
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 fleece 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 fleece for what to photograph and how to price, or what fleece is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used fleece?
Around £6 to £32 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 fleece 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 fleece 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 · fleece value guide · selling fleece · Clothing · condition grades.