What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects them 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 pyjamas is worth what is being asked:
- Bobbling and thinning from washing
- Perished waistband elastic
- Split sets sold as singles
- Faded prints
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Natural fabrics like cotton and silk
- Recognised sleepwear and heritage labels
- Complete matching sets
- Unworn or barely worn condition
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 pyjamas, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Stretch it and say. Perished elastic is the usual reason pyjamas are replaced and it is easily checked.
Confirm, and give both sizes if they differ. Sets are worth more than separates and buyers assume a set unless told.
Say so plainly. For nightwear that reassurance matters more than for almost any other garment.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Wash them and say clearly that you have
- Check the waistband elastic recovers
- Confirm both pieces match
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 set laid flat together, top and bottoms
- The waistband elastic, stretched slightly
- The fabric close up, showing pilling or its absence
- Labels with size and composition, plus any mark, hole or thinning
Details to confirm before you commit
- Size, with chest and waist measured flat
- Fabric composition
- Whether it is a matching set or separates
- Elastic condition and any pilling, thinning or mark
Live pyjamas 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
Winter fabrics lift from October to December, with a strong Christmas gifting window. Lightweight sets sell in spring and summer.
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 pyjamas 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 pyjamas for what to photograph and how to price, or what pyjamas are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used pyjamas?
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 pyjamas 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 pyjamas 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 · pyjamas value guide · selling pyjamas · Clothing · condition grades.