Millennials are feeling the weight of time as Gen Z's entrepreneurial spirit hits new heights. One reseller on Depop has ignited a firestorm by dubbing a pair of Forever 21 shorts as "vintage" and slapping them with a jaw-dropping price tag of nearly $300.
In a viral TikTok video shared by Kiana (@kaym0neyyy), the shock and disbelief are palpable as she uncovers the listing for sequin leopard mini shorts on Depop. The description boldly declares them as "Forever 21 RARE vintage sequin leopard print shorts, identical to Charlotte Russe! I’m so tempted to keep, price is FIRM.
As Kiana reveals the exorbitant price of $298, she voices the incredulity shared by millions of viewers. "How do you have the audacity to take a Forever 21 article of clothing and sell it for $298? Absolutely freaking insane," she exclaims in the video, captioned with a plea to halt such Depop sellers.
The saga doesn't end there. Kiana stumbled upon this listing after witnessing another viral sensation: Depop seller Jules (@jbeescloset) making waves with a yellow sequin mini dress sold to singer Sabrina Carpenter for her 25th birthday. The dress, reminiscent of "How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days," fetched $265, sparking further interest in Jules' store.
However, as more fashion enthusiasts delved into Jules' listings, they were met with sticker shock. A pair of "rare vintage blue" Hollister shorts commanded a price of $98, leaving commenters astounded. "WHO IS PAYING THESE PRICES?!!" exclaimed one user, while another reminisced, "As someone who grew up during the heyday of Hollister, those shorts weren’t even $98 back then!
The disparity between perceived value and reality has ignited a debate on Depop and beyond, highlighting the evolving landscape of online reselling and the blurred lines of what constitutes "vintage.
As nostalgia collided with sticker shock over the "vintage" Forever 21 shorts, some users took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the retailer's heyday. Many Millennials fondly recalled their shopping sprees at Forever 21, a cornerstone of their adolescence, before it succumbed to financial woes and closed numerous stores following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Forever 21's rise to prominence in the mid-2000s to the 2010s was fueled by its wallet-friendly prices and rapid inventory turnover. In 2015, the company boasted global sales of $4.4 billion at its peak. However, for some, the notion of anything from Forever 21 being labeled as "rare" or "vintage" was met with disbelief. "How is anything from Forever 21 rare?" questioned one user, while another shared their experience, stating, "I’ve worked at F21; literally the most expensive thing I've seen is sold for $34.99.
Despite the skepticism, it appeared that someone had indeed snapped up the "vintage" shorts, as they were marked as "sold" on Jules' Depop page. Yet, not all TikTok users were convinced, pointing out that sellers could manually mark items as sold on the platform.
Depop, established in 2011, initially provided a haven for vintage fashion enthusiasts and marketplace sellers. However, in recent years, it has drawn criticism for enabling "Depop resellers" who inflate prices on thrifted items. Last year, 19-year-old Depop seller Jacklyn Wells faced backlash for listing vintage finds at steep prices, including a suede coat with fur trim for $175 and a brown leather trench coat for $120. Wells defended herself on Instagram, highlighting the role of reselling in promoting circular fashion and providing income opportunities for low-income individuals.
The saga continues as inquiries are made to Jules for comment, sparking thought-provoking conversations about the intersection of nostalgia, consumerism, and sustainability in the digital age.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the sale of "vintage" Forever 21 shorts on Depop has ignited a broader conversation about the nature of nostalgia, consumer culture, and sustainability in the digital era. While some lamented the commodification of their teenage wardrobe staples, others defended the practice of reselling as a means of promoting circular fashion and providing economic opportunities. As online marketplaces like Depop continue to evolve, it remains to be seen how they will balance the pursuit of profit with the values of authenticity and affordability cherished by their user base. Ultimately, this saga serves as a poignant reminder of the power of social media to spark dialogue and reflection on our consumption habits and their broader societal implications.