From vintage 2000s clothing to popular designer items, Depop offers McLean students an easy way to sell pre-loved fashion pieces. All it takes is posting a simple picture, providing a description and setting a price.

“I started selling on Depop a few months ago and it’s been a really easy way to make money,” sophomore Rewa Sethi said.

The app has kept an active presence in younger generations, with trendy and eye-catching clothing pieces. As fashion trends on both TikTok and Instagram, both apps become an advertising strategy for Depop sellers to show off their products.

“I saw a lot of people on social media using Depop to sell clothes they didn’t want, so I decided to try it too,” sophomore Abigail Sweeney said.

While using Depop, buyers are able to like items, making it easy for them to save their favorites for later and keep track of them in one place. The app also has AI technology, which generates product descriptions and offers recommended styles based on liked posts. This pushes personalized content to viewers, enhancing the experience for both sellers and consumers.

“It was really easy to sell on Depop because of its boosted listing,” Sweeney said. “A lot more people are able to see your items which is really helpful for me to sell my clothes.”

Buyers also have the ability to negotiate prices and send offers to sellers on their listings. If the seller accepts the offer, buyers have the choice to either counter the offer or purchase the item at that price until the deal expires in 24 hours.

“[Depop] can be very introductory because it’s something [teenagers] are familiar with,” marketing teacher Debra Dove said. “It’s a good way to learn the basics of cost and revenue.”

Depop motivates business-inclined students to practice advertising skills and push to gain maximum profit.

“Depop helped me learn how to present clothing in a way that makes it more appealing to buyers in modern day online shopping,” senior Anderson Velasquez said

Learning the basics of business management helps prepare teenagers for future endeavors. The online platform also provides opportunities for students to earn a considerable profit at a young age.

“On my first account, I sold over 100 items,” Velasquez said. “I took a break from selling for a year. On my new account, I’ve sold 10 items, and made a total of over $5000 made.”

After selling on Depop for a few years, Velasquez gained a high following and made numerous connection with other sellers. His success inspired him to start his own business where he sells upcycled clothing pieces from local flea markets and thrift stores.

“The idea of not relying on [one] platform for my income motivated me to start my own business,” Velasquez said.

As the fashion industry continues to evolve and gain attraction, other online reselling networks have grown in popularity. Poshmark, another leading resale app, is one of Depop’s strongest competitors, but appeals to a slightly older audience.

“It’s a lot easier for me to find customers in my age range on Depop because of the app’s popularity with teens,” Sethi said.

Due to the majority of young users, Depop makes sure to address any safety concerns by providing safety guidelines and tips that helps protect users from potential threats.

“I would stay away from super expensive items, it’s easier to trust something when it’s a lower price,” Velasquez said.

When selling through any kind of online user-to-user resale site, it will typically charge a processing fee, meaning they deduct a small portion of the money received. Depop only deducts around 3.3%, less than most competitors, though the fee may vary slightly depending on the order.

“Seller fees cut into a lot of what a seller profit[s] off of, and it makes it harder for a buyer to get a better deal,” Velasquez said.

Depop can help teens develop their own unique style and learn how to express their personality through fashion. It opens up an avenue of self-expression while accumulating hands-on experience to foster skills in online retail and marketing.

“I see a lot of people on [Depop] selling stuff that they made themselves,” Velasquez said. ”It’s really nice to see people have that creative mindset.”