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 | £30 (~$40) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £26 (~$34) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £20 (~$26) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £14 (~$18) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £8 (~$10) | 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 polo shirt is worth what is being asked:
- Curled or misshapen collars
- Bobbling on the placket and under the arms
- Missing or replaced buttons
- Faded logos and embroidery
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised heritage and sportswear labels
- Collars that still stand rather than curl
- Pique cotton with no thinning
- All buttons present and matching
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 polo shirt, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Photograph it flat. Collar curl is the standard wear point and buyers judge the whole shirt by it.
Describe what you can evidence — where you bought it, the label detail, any hologram or code — and photograph the labels. WishThrift does not verify items, so give the evidence rather than an assurance.
Chest flat and length. Polo sizing varies a lot between brands and between a classic and a slim fit.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Stand the collar up and see whether it holds
- Check the placket buttons all match
- Inspect the underarms for thinning
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 shirt laid flat, front, collar arranged naturally
- The collar close up, showing whether it lies flat
- The placket buttons and cuffs
- The label with brand and size, plus any mark, bobbling or thinning
Details to confirm before you commit
- Chest measured flat and length from shoulder, plus label size
- Fabric composition and whether it is piqué or jersey
- Fit description if the brand uses one
- Collar condition, and any bobbling, mark or thinning
Live polo shirt 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 from April to August. Branded polos sell year round; unbranded ones are seasonal and 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 polo shirt 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 polo shirt for what to photograph and how to price, or what polo shirt is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used polo shirt?
Around £4 to £20 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 polo shirt 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 polo shirt 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 · polo shirt value guide · selling polo shirt · Clothing · condition grades.