Want to clear out your wardrobe, and make some money while you’re at it? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re looking to start up a side hustle, earn some money for college or travelling or just get creative in your spare time, with Depop it’s easy to turn your unwanted clothes into cash. And it doesn’t have to end once you’ve cleared out your own old clothing: many sellers start by selling their own unwanted clothes, before going on to find stock for their shop from all kinds of other sources.
You can find new items to sell anywhere once you know how to spot them: The wardrobes of friends and family, wholesalers, rag houses, charity shops, online marketplaces, outdoor markets, vintage shops and car boots are all prime locations for finding stock for your shop. It's always best to source from a range of different places - and wherever you're looking, remember to shop considerately and be aware of the dynamics of the seller and the local area. Get creative, try something new, and get ready to find all sorts of great items.
We spoke to two sellers about why they sell on Depop - and where they find the items worth selling.
Sarah of @flair_london started selling on Depop after clearing out her wardrobe and her friends’ wardrobes. Now as her business grows, she always follows her instincts when finding unique items for her shop. “Every sale for me is amazing,” she says. “I love knowing that someone has just discovered an item they love.”
How do you find your items to sell on Depop?
Mine is a real mix at the moment - clothes from my wardrobe and friends’ wardrobes, finds from thrift shops and charity shops in London. I’ve started exploring a few wholesalers too. For my next challenge, I want to work on my sewing skills and develop some reworked styles.
How do you choose items, from friends’ wardrobes and more generally?
I generally ask my friends for items they've never or rarely worn - so near-perfect condition or as good as new. I try to focus my stock on the current season, but do have some international customers, so I’ve found you can sell summer items in winter and vice versa. It’s a gut feeling - if I like the item, I assume someone else will and that’s it really!
I love watching what people in London are wearing and sometimes use that as my inspiration. But mostly it’s on instinct. That’s my advice to anyone who wants to find good items for their shop - choose items that you personally love, and that will fuel your drive.
What kind of doors has selling on Depop opened for you?
For me, it’s developing my business skills and creativity. It’s pushing me every day to think how I can be more creative with my images/stock/Instagram etc. I’d love to take it full time at some point!
At the moment, everything I earn on Depop, I invest back into my shop - so that's how I'm able to consistently source and stock new items. I've found that the more time and effort you put into your Depop, the more consistent the sales, so the more work I put in, the better the results!
2. @msterling_
Selling on Depop helped Max of @msterling_ support himself while pursuing a professional dance career in Los Angeles. But what started as a fun way to clear his closet and make some extra cash soon turned into a source of creativity for him. “I quickly discovered it was much more than selling t-shirts,” he tells us. “For me personally, it was more about the love of fashion.”
How do you find your items to sell on Depop?
Most of my items are from my personal collection or from vintage markets or thrift stores . One of my favourite things to do is go to the vintage markets, and so my own vintage collection has gotten pretty huge. Selling on Depop has been a great way to help me clear out some space and make room to buy more pieces, especially from other small businesses on Depop.
How do you ask family and friends if they have any unwanted clothes to sell?
I run up in there with a smile and a dream! Haha, I love a good closet raid - especially at my grandparents’ house because I know that’s where the real vintage is hiding. It’s always worth asking your homies and family about clothing that isn’t in their regular rotation anymore. It could probably be yours - just ask!
What’s your thought process when finding items to sell?
When looking for items, I always act like I’m shopping for myself. My style is 90s streetwear/sportswear-inspired, and shopping for pieces that I can picture on myself is the best way that I can know someone else will like it as well.
What do you do to keep your selling consistent?
Sometimes it can be hard to find new stock, but I like to take this time to reshoot my listings, or organise my inventory. I also use this time to see if I have any pieces I don’t necessarily wear as much anymore that maybe someone else would like! Your closet is the perfect place to start your sourcing.
What kind of doors has selling on Depop opened for you?
I moved to LA to begin my professional dance career two years ago and right when COVID hit, it was nerve-wracking to be jobless. Listing some of my vintage t-shirts from my own closet turned into being able to take care of my gas and groceries. Hopefully as time goes on, it’ll help me pay rent and all of my other essentials.