Stepping Into Style: Celebrating Depop's Sneaker Community
For the footwear fanatics out there, it’s a well-known fact that there’s a treasure trove of sneakers on Depop right now. As you’re reading this very article there’s a bounty of sneakers ripe for the taking, and you’d better get there quick before someone snatches up those coveted kicks you’ve been on the hunt for.
The good news? Depop’s worldwide community of sneakerheads and footwear aficionados keep the platform well-stocked with fab finds.
Depop has built its reputation on making vintage and second-hand fashion accessible to everyone. From the latest trending styles to the rarest vintage finds and exclusive sneaker collaborations, Depop is the go-to place to buy and sell sneakers for your everyday wardrobe or those moments you need to stunt the most.
For Depop’s sneaker community, actions speak louder than words when it comes to just how much their presence on the platform is growing. Demand for shoes on Depop has skyrocketed in the last year, with classic styles like the Nike AirMax 95 or the Adidas Gazelle and Samba being especially popular.
To celebrate the community as it continues to grow, Depop is launching a free-fee campaign this weekend, in which the marketplace will waive all fees for sellers who list and sell sneakers between September 23rd and September 25th.
Ahead of the festivities, Highsnobiety sat down with two of Depop’s best sneaker sellers, Of All Time and Lowellsoles, to discuss their shops, styles, and shoes.
Check out the full conversation below:
When did you get into the reselling game?
OAT: I jumped into the resale game around 2010 as a side hustle and as a way to find rare sneakers from around the world. I started selling on Depop in 2018 and originally focused on thrifted clothes and vintage, pre-worn sneakers. Today, my shop is curated to have a strong mix of sneaker styles that are in high-demand and one-of-a-kind finds, but what I really love is finding an old gem—whether that’s a vintage Snoop Dogg t-shirt or some Y2K obscure Asics.
LS: I’ve been hoarding sneakers for just shy of a decade; midway through Covid lockdown, I decided to purge about half my collection to make room for new pairs. But being that they were all in various conditions of use, other marketplaces weren’t an option, and some had too narrow an audience to make quick sales. So, Depop became my main space for reselling. After the first handful of pairs sold, I was hooked.
What makes the reselling community so special?
OAT: It’s inspiring to see other people hustling and making something incredible out of the bare minimum. It’s cool to see the niches that people are able to carve out for themselves in this game. I’ve met people of different ages, states, countries, and backgrounds on Depop—all of whom have taught me something to help me and my small business grow. There are a lot of entrepreneurs who are moving and shaking to change up the fashion game.
LS: Exactly that— it’s a real community of like-minded individuals exchanging tangible goods to curate personal style. Within the sneaker market, there’s something for everyone, from seasoned one-to-rock-one-to-stockers to first-pair buyers and everyone in between.
What makes Depop so good at fostering this community?
OAT: The app itself cultivates community just through peer-to-peer interactions via direct messages, liking items, and the 'make an offer' feature. They also consistently feature sellers across their various channels to help amplify profiles and spark inspiration across all of their users. I’ve also attended Depop IRL events in the past, and it’s been dope to meet other sellers who are grinding like I am.
LS: It almost feels like a fashion blog from the early 2000s rather than people just buying and selling clothes. Direct communication, discovering shops and styles, and perusing new listings and featured users all naturally encourage exploration and interaction between users, which typically leads to greater exposure and shop growth.
What’s one item you’d love to add to your rotation?
OAT: This is a tough one, but I would love a pair of Ice Studios Gel Kayano 14s. The shoes sold out instantly when they dropped, and I have not been able to secure a pair. (If you have an 11.5, hit me!)
LS: Doernbecher 4s, without a doubt. Fours are my all-time favorite Nike design—there’s no other silhouette like them in the entirety of Nike/Jordan releases. The OG colorways are undeniably iconic, but the Doernbechers are otherworldly - just like the man on the tongue.
What’s your favorite feature that Depop offers?
OAT: I love the feature of different sellers on “The Depop Edit” and “Sellers to Watch” tabs. You can see how other people are laying their items out if you’re selling and want to get an idea of how to show off your product, or you can scroll and get some sauce for your next fit. Depop also just rolled out their “Re-Pop” feature, which makes it easy for me to relist an item I’ve bought on the platform, which is amazing because it creates a paper trail for the item and gives it a life and story of its own.
LS: It’s got to be the ‘Depop Edit’ section. It’s updated daily and highlights unique items selected by the Depop team; they see a myriad of items posted daily, so if it shows up there, you know it’s worth a look. And if, by chance, an item you’ve just listed is featured, traffic and exposure for the item and the shop just explodes, which hopefully can lead to more followers and more sales.
Any tips for people just starting to shop on the resale market?
OAT: I would suggest finding a niche or two that really interests you and doing some research. Whether it’s Y2K era SBs, retro Jordans, or current trends like mesh runners and soccer silhouettes. There’s so much cool stuff out there that you can find. You just have to look and be patient.
LS: Don’t sleep on pre-owned pairs! The current sneaker market is wild; inflated price points for some new pairs on the resale market can often discourage hopeful buyers, so searching pre-owned first provides a greater window of accessibility for everyone.