On a college campus like Tulane University, where outfits for events like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest can feel just as important as the events themselves, Depop has become central to how students shop for those looks.
Between vintage baby tees, Victoria’s Secret slip dresses and reworked vintage Levi’s jeans, Depop has become one of the strongest influences on college fashion across the country. What started as a secondhand resale shop now plays a major role in how students shop and keep up with trends.
Depop’s appeal lies not only in the fact that each piece can feel truly unique but also in the thrill of the hunt. Finding a piece that perfectly completes an outfit is part of what makes the experience so rewarding.
The platform offers something traditional retail often does not — the feeling of individuality.
For college students trying to build a personal style, it is satisfying to know they will likely be the only girl at the frat parties wearing a beaded tank top from Hollister circa 2000.
With up to 600,000 new listings every day, it can feel like trends come and go within the blink of an eye. This cycle can create the feeling that students are always chasing the next must-have item, only for it to go out of style soon after.
The fast-moving trend cycle is also reflected in one of the app’s features: “repop.”
Repopping an item means users relist an item they previously bought from another seller on the app. It is extremely easy, which is perfect for students who buy something for a themed party and have no use for it afterward.
For an app built around second-hand shopping, the affordability that originally helped Depop rise in popularity is now harder to find. As brands and trends rise in demand, so do their prices.
With sellers setting their own prices and controlling their marketing, the term “vintage” is used loosely to create desirability and often comes with a hefty markup. That being said, many college students chasing trends from previous decades are willing to pay those prices.
Despite its fast-moving trend cycles and rising prices, Depop still remains a more sustainable alternative to fast fashion. While the app encourages buyers to constantly shop for the next look, it also keeps clothing in circulation rather than sending shoppers to retailers built on mass production.
For college students who will participate in fleeting trends anyway, buying a festival outfit or party top from Depop can still be the more ethical option.