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 | £110 (~$147) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £94 (~$125) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £72 (~$95) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £50 (~$66) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £28 (~$37) | 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 trench coat is worth what is being asked:
- Missing belts, which are difficult to replace
- Water rings and cleaning damage to gabardine
- Discoloured collars and cuffs
- Broken storm flap buttons
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Recognised heritage makers with a following
- Cotton gabardine with intact water resistance
- Complete with belt, buckle and epaulettes
- Original linings and removable warmers
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 trench coat, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Check and confirm. It is the single most asked question on a trench coat and the answer changes the price.
Read the composition label. Cotton gabardine trenches are worth considerably more than polyester ones and buyers can tell on handling.
Give the shoulder-to-hem measurement and your own height. Trench length changes the whole look and is the usual cause of disappointment.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Confirm the belt and all buckles are present
- Check the collar and cuffs in daylight
- Look at the composition label for gabardine content
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- Full length on a hanger, belted, front
- The belt and buckle laid out separately
- The inner label with composition and care instructions
- The collar, cuffs and hem, plus any stain or fray
Details to confirm before you commit
- Fabric composition and whether the lining is removable
- Whether the belt, loops and buckle are all present
- Pit-to-pit and full length from shoulder to hem
- Single or double breasted, and whether it is showerproof
Live trench coat 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
Peaks in early autumn and again in spring, since a trench is a between-seasons coat. Midwinter listings sell slowly.
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 trench coat 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 trench coat for what to photograph and how to price, or what trench coat is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used trench coat?
Around £16 to £72 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 trench coat 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 trench coat 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 · trench coat value guide · selling trench coat · Clothing · condition grades.