By: Emilia Moberg

Now more than ever, it’s easy to buy clothing online. There are thousands of different brands, high-end to cheap, well-established to newly created. However, there are other ways to engage with fashion online besides purchasing brand-new clothing.

Thrifting is a widely popular way to buy clothing, due to the often low prices, unique pieces and participation in sustainability. In recent years, there has been a shift of focus to sustainable clothing. Upcycled clothing, clothing made in ethical work environments and thrifted clothing are a few examples of sustainable clothing options.

While some still opt for “fast fashion” for a variety of reasons, including lack of accessibility to sustainable clothing, or the cheap price points, there are many online retailers that sell second-hand clothing. In this article, I will be comparing two of these sites.

Depop was founded in 2011 by Simon Beckerman, as a clothing marketplace app focused on combining the social aspect of Instagram with online buying and selling. Before Depop, Beckerman ran an arts and fashion magazine called PIG. However, as the internet cemented itself in our modern culture, Beckerman saw the decline of print media and felt a need to switch to a digital platform.

Grailed was started in 2013 by Arun Gupta as a high-end menswear resale platform. The site includes a variety of luxury brands like Supreme, Rick Owens, Marc Jacobs and many more. Grailed streamlined the high-end clothing buying process through their app, whereas in the past these items were not as easily accessible online.

Both companies have similarities and differences. The pair were started to fulfill a need in the fashion industry and have a majority young audience, with 90% of Depop’s users being under 26. Through the app interface, users are able to sell items from their homes.

However, the two platforms cater to different audiences. Depop is a one stop shop for thrifted items; it’s easy to look up general keywords and find something close to what you’re looking for. Grailed is more geared towards consumers looking for specific, luxury pieces.