Loren Park ’25 built a side-hustle selling second-hand clothing on Depop, a social marketplace where users buy and sell pre-loved fashion curated to reflect niche styles or vintage finds. A blend between Instagram and eBay, Depop became a go-to platform for novice sellers like Park, who began using it in seventh grade.
Park said her eye for trends helps her decide what’s worth reselling and what’s better to give away.
“My process is pretty specific,” Park said. “When I buy clothes to resell, I know exactly what will be popular. I used to do this a lot more during quarantine. I’d source items by buying them cheap and then reselling them for more, like a mini flip. With some clothes in my room, I already know I’ll just give them away because they’re not worth selling. It really depends on what’s trending.”
Ava Hanasab ’26 said she often turns to Depop to shop for second-hand fashion. Hanasab said the app fosters a personal shopping experience that feels more meaningful and tailored than buying from traditional retail brands.
“Depop is kind of its own little fashion world,” Hanasab said. “People get really creative with their listings, and there’s this sense of community when you can find sellers whose style you really like. It makes the clothes feel more personal because you’re buying from a real person’s curated listings, and not just a big brand.”
Park said she’s learned how to adjust her pricing based on demand.
“There’s definitely competition, and some sellers price things kind of ridiculously, but people are still willing to buy them,” Park said. “So if I have something that’s trending, branded or rare, I’ll price it higher too. I know people will pay for something vintage or limited. The highest I’ve sold something for was probably $150. They were these vintage pants I got for $40.”
Park said building a following on Depop wasn’t difficult, especially with the right approach to listing items.
“Depop makes it pretty easy if you try,” Park said. “A lot of people are on there. You can tag brands and use keywords. Honestly, the biggest thing is how you post. If the listing is clean, simple and especially if you’re wearing the item, it sells so much faster. People want to see how it looks on a real person.”
Park said she loves second-hand fashion because it is more sustainable and it feels more special.
“The majority of my closet is second-hand now,” Park said. “I don’t like buying retail unless I have to or if it’s for something specific, like a prom dress. Buying second-hand is so much better for the environment, and it’s way cheaper. Plus, your clothes feel more unique that way. I also love that when I don’t want something anymore, I can just sell it again. It’s like recycling.”
Hanasab said shopping on Depop is a good way to explore individual style.
“One time, I found this beautiful beaded vintage dress on Depop that I never would’ve thought to look for, but as soon as I saw it, I had to have it,” Hanasab said. “Sometimes I find pieces that just feel like they could’ve come from an old TV show or just vintage in general, and those little surprises are what make shopping on Depop so fun.”
Park said the time she puts into selling is a key part of what makes her success on Depop possible.
“If you have the time and want to make extra money, it’s so worth it,” Park said. “It does take a little effort. On picture days, for example, it could take up to three hours to take photos, pick out the clothes I want to list, and post them. But in the end, it’s really easy money and totally worth the effort.”
