How to Shop Depop like a Pro
As someone that has been shopping second hand for most of my college life (and honestly I prefer to do so), I have been hearing a lot of negative things about Depop, which is unfortunate but a bit understandable. Regardless of these things, Depop is still one of the main avenues I use to shop second hand and quite a lot of my clothing is from there, especially my jeans. So I wanted to compile a list of things I’ve learned throughout the years shopping there (definitely a learning curve) through practice and just being a consistent shopper on there. Hopefully these tips will help you find what you’re looking for. Depop is no place for inexperienced thrift shoppers to tell you the truth.
Using likes and the algorithm to your advantage
So, after being on Depop for so many years, the likes and the algorithm are super customized to my personal taste in style and items I would actually buy. I really love this because not only does this expose me to different articles of clothing I wouldn’t have thought of looking for, but it also exposes me to different sellers that sell styles I like and enjoy, especially when it comes to vintage pieces. So whenever you see an item you like, make sure you heart it even if you’re not going to purchase the item. The more customized the algorithm will be to your taste, the easier it will be to find items you like and are looking for. It’s also a great way to find unique items.
Know what you’re looking (or at least have a good idea)
Another tip I would like to give is to really understand now have a good idea about what you’re looking for, meaning that when you’re on the search bar, make sure to put the right keywords and be specific about the item you’re searching for (there are some exceptions to this, but I’ll go over that more later). For example, instead of just putting “vintage jeans” put “mom jeans” or “high rise corduroy jeans” you can even get really specific by typing “light wash high rise bootcut jeans”. The more specific you are about the style you’re looking for, it will narrow down the items that don’t fit the keyword specifically and you may stumble upon some really nice vintage or lesser known brands this way. I recently bought a pair of y2k Carrhart jeans for $20 dollars this way.
Know your measurements and sizing
This tip I’m about to talk about is VITAL, and has honestly been the one thing that was a learning curve. When it comes to jeans, pants, dresses, etc. (especially vintage jeans) knowing your actual measurements in inches rather than just the size will help prevent you from buying items that don’t fit you when you’re not able to try them on. For example, I usually buy things that are 30 inch waist (15 inches lying flat) with a rise that is between 9 to 12 inches. A lot of the experienced vintage sellers will list this important info along with the hip, inseam, and length measurements. This is mostly because vintage sizing is smaller than modern sizing, I’m actually a modern size 8 but I buy a size 10 in vintage. I also think that knowing how you want an item to fit you, like if you prefer something more baggy or snug fit, it's important to know what measurements will work for you in regards to helping you find the perfect pair of jeans.
Doing broad searches helps too
If you’re not necessarily looking for anything too specific, I would highly recommend doing searches by “aesthetic”, vintage era, or just color. For example, you could look up “cottage core” or “goth” if you’re looking for a certain aesthetic and you’re open to a certain concept rather than a specific styled item. You could even just search up “purple”, “bubblegum pink”, or “ruffles” just to check out what is in that particular tag. I will say though that if you’re looking for vintage era, make sure to put “vintage 90s/y2k/etc.” because a lot of newbie sellers flood the y2k tag with non-vintage items. It didn’t used to be this way but sadly it is what it is.
Search by brand
I especially love doing this for brands that are more on the pricey side but not super well-known designers and when it comes to finding vintage jeans or shorts. I have a lot of folks that sell from their closets on Depop (which is something I personally do as well) and are usually just trying to partially get their money back for an item that either a) doesn’t fit b) no longer wear because not their style or c) one time use item type of thing. Definitely don’t hesitate to check out some fast fashion brands like Princess Polly or I AM GIA if you like the brands general style.
I hope some of these tips are helpful to you all! I tried to think of things that would be helpful regardless of size. Depop is a scary place for folks that have never thrifted online before. I really like Depop because it functions a lot like Instagram and you can search by vintage era, style, and brand. You just have to know what you’re doing. Happy second hand shopping!