Depop Thrifting 101: How to Sell, Earn, and Find Gems
From curating your feed to mastering negotiation, L'OFFICIEL crafted a guide with everything you need to know on making the most of the online thrift store.
For those who love finding one-of-a-kind treasures, thrifting is the ultimate thrill—a blend of style, patience, and a dash of luck. In today’s world, it doesn’t get much better than the digital aisles of Depop, where fashion lovers can unearth vintage gems, quirky accessories, and rare pieces that would be almost impossible to find at a typical thrift store. With countless sellers from around the world, Depop offers a marketplace for every kind of aesthetic, from Y2K throwbacks to '90s grunge. But with so much variety, scrolling through Depop can be as overwhelming as it is exciting.
Learning how to thrift on Depop isn’t just about luck. It’s about knowing what you want and how to search for it. Like every other digital platform, you have to train the algorithm to understand you and your style—think of it as coaching the app to curate your ideal online thrift store experience. Following your favorite sellers, being specific in your searches, and knowing your measurements are all key steps to ensure you find those hidden treasures. If you're selling, it's also important to know how to appeal to shoppers.
From creating a personalized feed to mastering negotiation, this guide covers everything you need to know to help you turn Depop into your ultimate thrifting playground. Keep scrolling for Depop tips on how to swipe, score, and build a wardrobe that’s as unique as you are—all while saving money and supporting sustainable fashion. Plus, we've included notes on how to sell and earn money as a seller.
Tip #1: Build Your Depop Feed
Building your feed is the foundational factor in setting you up for success when thrifting on Depop. By following sellers who post items that match your style, favoriting pieces, and intentionally using keywords when searching, you’ll help Depop’s algorithm understand your preferences, helping the platform bring more of what you love to the top of your feed.
Don’t hesitate to favorite items, even if you’re not ready to buy—this signals to the platform what you’re interested in and keeps potential finds in one place. You can also follow relevant hashtags, like “vintage designer” or “1990s grunge,” to make sure new listings in those categories pop up regularly. Sometimes your favorite influencers will have a Depop shop, so make sure you follow them in order to shop directly from their closets. With a well-curated feed, you’ll have first access to hidden gems that fit your aesthetic, making thrifting on Depop feel fully personalized and less like a deluge of random garbs.
Tip #2: Know Your Measurements
Since there’s no option to try before you buy, understanding your measurements—and how they translate to different sizes—will ensure you’re not caught off guard by items that run big, small, or just plain differently. Take a moment to measure your bust, waist, hips, and inseam. Keep these numbers handy. Many Depop sellers list item measurements in their descriptions, so matching those up with your own is the best way to avoid fit surprises. It's great to know these numbers when shopping regardless, and they'll make an even bigger difference when using Depop.
Tip #3: Make a Bundle
If you like more than one item from a seller, don’t hesitate to ask the seller if you can get a bundle deal. Many sellers on Depop are open to bundling items and offering discounts when you buy multiple pieces at once. Plus, it almost always saves on shipping costs. When reaching out, keep your message friendly and straightforward, asking if they'd be open to a bundle discount for the items you have in mind. Bundling is a smart way to score multiple pieces you love. Plus, it can also be a fun way to build connections with your favorite sellers.
Tip #4: Master the Art of Negotiating
Negotiating often comes hand-in-hand with thrifting, especially when using an online thrift store. Depop offers a perfect way to try this from the comfort of your screen. Many sellers expect a bit of bargaining and are open to reasonable offers, especially if an item has been listed for a while or you’re bundling multiple pieces. When negotiating, be polite and respectful—start with a friendly message and suggest a price that feels fair based on the item’s condition and demand. If you’re unsure, Depop even suggests percentage discounts when sending an offer, easily taking away the unknown for what a “good offer” would be.
Avoid haggling for the lowest possible price, and know your number so you can know when to potentially walk away.
Tip #5: How to Become a Depop Seller and Earn
Just as easy as it is to shop on Depop, becoming a seller is a great way to share your style and earn extra cash. To make your listings stand out, focus on taking high-quality photos that capture the details of your items and write clear, honest descriptions that highlight items' best features. Price your products competitively and use relevant keywords and hashtags to make them discoverable on the platform.
Building a good reputation goes a long way in boosting your sales and attracting repeat customers. You can achieve this by responding quickly and engaging positively with potential buyers goes a long way. If you want to push your Depop page even further, create an Instagram account dedicated to promoting your shop. This allows you to showcase your items in a more engaging and visually appealing way to reach a broader audience and create direct community with fashion lovers who may not already be on Depop.
Tip #6: Know What You Want
The ultimate tip for navigating the platform is to stay focused and know what you want. This saves time and will help prevent a feeling of being overwhelmed. Make a mental (or physical!) list of the items or styles you’re looking for, whether it’s “Y2K poncho,” “pointy-toed boots,” or “suede jacket.” Having a clear idea of what you want also makes it easier to avoid impulse buys.
If it helps as a seller, keep items you're thinking of listing separate from everything else you own. Notice when those items are trending, and think about how to craft listings around pop culture moments.
Depop can feel like a never ending bin of unique finds, but staying focused will help you stick to items that truly enhance your wardrobe.