Supplementing Income in the UK: The Psychology of Depop’s Sustainable Powerhouses
Depop is an online selling platform most popular with clothing buyers and sellers. Many of Depop’s top stores offer vintage or sustainable clothing. But why are the most popular stores those which curate vintage or sustainable methods?
A clothing rack in a charity shop. Source: Becca Mchaffie on Unsplash
Living off sole income is common but time costly. According to the (ONS) Office of National Statistics “over 1.1 million people in the UK now have a second job.” The ONS statistics show a great number of people acquiring second jobs to increase income. Increasingly, Depop’s sustainable sellers are freeing time for further education through careful, profitable curation of clothing stores. The sustainable sellers category is growing rapidly as we move in an empowered direction – fashion’s ‘green revolution.’
Stephen is the Depop store owner of @loft_archive: “I started this page during uni when I needed extra money.” Like many others in further education, he started the shop whilst focusing on university, a supplemented income. He added: “I see it mainly as a full-time job now, I set aside hours each day - taking photos of items - so normally anywhere from 30-35 hours per week.”
The act of setting up a profitable, successful Depop clothing store is no easy feat. Gathering opinion from three verified and popular sustainable clothing stores: @loft_archive, @drayton and @vintageclubuk, Stephen said: “I would mainly suggest to take good photos, make sure to stand out a little from other listings (especially with background colours) and to get good quality brands and items that are trendy/timeless.”
Drayton said: “Quality photos/descriptions and pick a niche early on.”
However, Vintage Club UK added: “There’s no real secrets to selling on Depop, no seller will tell you their secrets.”
Professional opinion suggests consistency and unique curation. The most successful stores are employing similar growth tactics. One niche thrives across the platform – sustainability.
Sustainable clothing is anything environmentally friendly that is consciously leaving a smaller footprint by standing the test of time, or replacing the purchase of a newer unethical item.
The popularity of sustainable Depop stores is due in part to positive media incentive to go green, but it is more complex than that. The ‘green revolution’ in fashion resonates with the people as clothing is more than materials, it’s about the meaning behind it, the silent message you can send to others – ‘I’m environmentally-conscious.’
Clothing is a means of expressing identity and the current hot trend is environmentalism across the industry. Sustainable stores are bridging the gap between price point and sustainable, eco-conscious clothing.
The price of sustainable items varies widely, but for the most part you get more value for your money – in terms of the quantity – with more scope for rarity and uniqueness. There is self-satisfaction in knowing your wardrobe is not making as much of an impact. This is why the sustainable stores are thriving and the people are intrigued – resonance and the feeling of being part of a revolutionary force for good.
Depop is a way to get by financially and is important in enhancing and educating our understanding of the necessity and power of sustainability in fashion. It’s one of many ways to supplement income and will stand the test of time if the people continue to live by greener choices.