Got old clothes laying around? Looking to make some money or add to your wardrobe? Depop is an online, easy to use thrift store. Founded in 2011, Depop allows users to buy and sell vintage, designer, unique, rare, used, and unused pieces. Linked with PayPal, transactions are fast and easy. From Prada bags to Lulu Lemon leggings, you can find almost anything for discounted prices, usually in perfect or close to perfect condition. 

With many older trends making a comeback, like low waisted jeans and Gogo boots, thrifting is becoming more and more popular. However, with COVID-19, thrift stores don’t always feel like the safest places to be; you can never be sure whether or not clothes and items from other people’s homes are safe. Websites like Depop are a perfect solution. Online thrifting gives consumers the opportunity to shop consignment without the risk of being exposed to the virus. 

Aside from “previously loved” items, Depop also has a wide variety of accounts that sell handmade clothing and accessories. It’s a great platform for small businesses to grow their clientele. Buyers can find an endless assortment of handmade products, from beautiful patchwork dresses at ROSAYAB to reworked vintage tops at The Label Rae. Depop has countless handmade shops selling one of a kind pieces to offer.

But why bother spending the time scrolling to find the perfect item that’s actually in your size? Thrifting is a great way to avoid contributing to “fast fashion,” a term which refers to clothing that is made to be consumed quickly for low prices, but isn’t designed to last a very long time. Clothing like this often ends up in landfills, and the workers making these products are often children and make painstakingly low wages. Brands like Victoria’s Secret, Urban Outfitters, GAP, and Zara fall under this category. 

Thrifting is a great way to support “sustainable fashion.” Cosmopolitan magazine defines sustainable fashion as being “sort of like a combination of eco friendly and ethical.” This is clothing that is perhaps made from biodegradable materials, produced ethically, and made to last. I know you might be thinking: “That sounds expensive!” But it doesn’t have to be! Even if your thrifted pieces were made by a fast fashion company, it’s better to have them in your closet than in a landfill.