You need to be using Depop more
Not an ad, just a love letter to my favorite secondhand app.
I’m currently in the process of reducing the time I spend on social media (read: going through legitimate dopamine withdrawals). Even though my usual digital haunts are now locked or, in some cases, entirely deleted—I’ve found that I still get that itch to scroll (ahem, lollygag).
Previously, the way I found new, exciting brands and pieces of clothing was dependent on whatever my TikTok #fyp or Instagram Discover page showed me. Without access to the two, I’ve had to be more considered in the way I consume fashion content. This has proven to be A Very Good Thing™: I’ve been less bombarded with ads and therefore less influenced to purchase the next viral item or shop a sale I wouldn’t have known of otherwise.
Because I’m not able to access my usual brain rot, I’ve recently found myself gravitating more towards Depop.* My “Suggested For You” feed is my current dopamine drug of choice. It’s giving Spotify Discover Weekly, but better, because it updates daily (!), and it’s clothing, not repetitive-ass music (I’ll spare you my beef with Spotify for now). Thanks to Depop, I’ve discovered so many pieces and brands I would have never thought to search myself.
*I know that scrolling something else is totally just a replacement for scrolling social media, but it doesn’t make me anxious like the bad apps do, so I’m calling it a win, damn it.
Real quick: IMO, Depop > Poshmark.
Ok, maybe a better way to put it is that I strongly believe that Depop is best for discovering secondhand, while Poshmark is best for locating secondhand.
Poshmark is great in its own right, just not for discovery. The home feed is cluttered and confusing. The platform, in my experience, is better for finding specific items you already know you want. For example, I just went on a hunt for a STAUD sweater that the brand no longer carries, and was able to find it easily on Poshmark with a few key words. When I looked on Depop for the same sweater, the app struggled to locate it for me. Ultimately, I ended up purchasing the style on Poshmark.
However, I find Depop’s algorithm overall to be superior, mainly because of the kind of recommendations it serves me. I’m not sure if it’s AI-driven (probably), but Depop is really great at understanding what I’m visually drawn to and then recommending me more items in those style families—rather than simply serving me other pieces from the same brand, like Poshmark does.
Unexpectedly, I’ve even found that the Depop algorithm is further proof of Alison Bornstein’s Three-Word Method. The app’s feed consistently shows me items that fall into more than one of my three-word categories. This is incredibly helpful in avoiding adding items to my closet that truly just aren’t wearable with the rest of my wardrobe.
Speaking of the Three Word Method, my three words are: Structured, 90s, and Unexpected. Below, I’ll show you some of my recent Depop finds, what three-word category they fall under, and why I like them—plus two pieces I actually ended up purchasing.
#1. Paige jeans
Which of my Three Word(s): Structured (piping)
Why I like it: Even if I’m not seriously considering buying an item on Depop, I “like” it anyway. This helps teach the algorithm what I’m drawn towards, with the hope that it’ll continue to show me similar items down the line. Case in point: These Paige wide-leg jeans. I am not in the market for $140 jeans at the moment (I’ve been there, though! No judgment!), but I was pleasantly surprised to see that by recommending this style to me, Depop successfully recognized my love for piping and other structural clothing elements. For a secondhand shopping app, this is an impressive ability to pinpoint a garment’s detail, and then show me that same detail in a style I usually wouldn’t be drawn toward—I’m not necessarily a dark or wide-leg jean person. I’ve never owned a pair of Paige jeans, but I’ll be paying attention to the brand when I see it on Depop in the future.
#2. Lazy Oaf blouse
Which of my Three Word(s): Unexpected (teddy bear print), Structured (Peter Pan collar and a ruffle, to boot)
Why I like it: Man, what can I say, I’m such a sucker for a quirky, unexpected pattern. Whoever at Lazy Oaf thought of three-eyed teddy bears needs a raise. This piece also calls to my affinity for structural details—a Peter Pan collar and a ruffle? Hell yes. I also love that this top offers the ever-coveted #popofred that we’ve been seeing all over our Pinterest feeds.
Lazy Oaf is another brand I’d literally never think to search or shop, but as I scrolled my Depop saves, I realized that I’ve liked a ton of Lazy Oaf items. Sounds like I’ll be looking for more in the future! Good job, Depop.
#3. Vintage buckle top
Which of my Three Word(s): 90s (crew neck tank top, black), Unexpected (belt on a shirt)
Why I Like It: This item may seem like it’s not in keeping with the rest of my bright-colored Likes & Saves. However, it’s another great example of how Depop has learned to show me what I like, often in ways I’d never think of. A black tank might seem boring to my eyes at first, but the fit and buckle detail put it right into two of my three-word style categories.
#4. Suicoke sneakers
Which of my Three Word(s): Structured (straps), Unexpected (these look like Mary Janes, but they’re sneakers), 90s (platform)
Why I Like It: This one surprised me. At first glance, these are very gorpcore, which is not usually my thing. But I love these sneakers. In analyzing my interest a bit more, I realized that I’m drawn to the structure of the sneaker—like its various straps and cutouts on the top that accent the contrasting material underneath. I had never heard of this Japanese brand previously, but in doing a bit more research, found that they’re available on SSENSE. I’ll be bookmarking that for the next sale.
#5. Fashion Brand Company tee
Which of my Three Word(s): 90s (boxy tomboy t-shirt), Unexpected (bra appliqué)
Why I Like It: This top was totally shown to me because I went down a Nikki Chasin Florida Woman Tee rabbit hole, trying to find one I didn’t have to pay $150 for (spoiler: I was unsuccessful). But um, thanks to the help of the Depop gods (read: Depop algorithm), I was shown this Fashion Brand Company version for half the price—and this style might even fit into my wardrobe a bit better.
I love that this top calls to mind a classic boxy tee silhouette that is totally a shape Julia Roberts wore in the 90s, but turns it upside-down with the bra appliqué detail. A chef’s kiss combination and absolutely something I would wear.
This top also sent me down a Fashion Brand Company rabbit hole. They’re doing some amazing and also hilarious stuff. Take these pube glasses (no, that’s not a typo) for example, currently available for just $666 on their site. Performance art and great clothes? I’ll be keeping up with them for sure.
PURCHASED: COS Cashmere Sweater
Word(s): 90s (oversized sweater), Unexpected (crazy color)
Why I Like It: Hello? A thick AF, originally $350 100% cashmere sweater for a mere $99? And it’s hardly worn. Safe to say I was SOLD.
I just got this in the mail, and can confirm that the unexpected bright color is just as good, if not better, in person. Plus, the slightly oversized shape calls to mind 90s Princess Di, who often sported the most perfectly baggy sweaters. 2/3 of my style words? Check!
I have the idea to style this with an oversized white tee peeking out underneath and some white or cream pants. Oh, and my new Kaanas loafers for shoes. Yippee!
PURCHASED: Z Supply Striped Set
Word(s): 90s (collared shirt, preppy-looking shorts), Unexpected (bright stripes)
Why I Like It: I offered $60 on this brand new, tags-still-attached Z Supply striped set, and the seller graciously accepted. Boo-yah! I have a similar vintage striped matching set I got at a secondhand market last year. I wore it constantly throughout the summer. Not sure how Depop knew that, but it did.
With the proof that I already wore something like this a ton, I knew that a long sleeve version needed to join my closet, so into my cart she went. I haven’t received this one yet, but I’ll report back. I can’t wait to wear it with my black Vagabond platform flip-flops.
Depop FTW
Hopefully this has convinced you to invest some more time in perfecting your Depop algorithm. If not, my feelings won’t be hurt (plus, there will be more amazing stuff for me…)
Let me know what you think—I’d love to hear about folks’ experiences on the various other secondhand apps I haven’t even begun to explore (Mercari, Vinted, etc.).
xoxo