Our green living mantra has always been reuse, reduce and recycle, but for many, buying second hand clothing just isn’t an option. But what if the clothing came from a trusted friend? Clothing swaps are all the rage as women use each other as a great way to pass the clothing love around. The concept is simple enough; a group of women get together and bring their gently used clothing to swap.
Its the perfect way to pass on a couple of items of clothing that you don’t really wear and to get a few items that will help to reduce your consumerism. And its not just clothing that can be swapped; shoes, makeup and accessories are all fair game. Clothing swaps are environmentally friendly and fun. They save money as you need to make fewer wardrobe purchases and they give you a great opportunity to mix with like-minded people.
Here’s what recent clothing swap participant, Laura Cipolla, had to say: “It allowed me to try on things that I normally would never look at. I am typically a jeans and sweat shirt girl and I left with dresses, skirts and beautiful clothes that I never thought would suit me.”
Amy Snook is also a fan; “Clothing swaps bring together some of my very favourite things: wonderful female company, re-using and recycling, and getting free clothes!
They say the clothes make the (wo)man. I love the concept of getting rid of the clothing that doesn’t line-up with who I want to be in 2013, and giving it a new life among my friends. It never fails to amaze me how the same dress can look so drastically different on another body! In this consumer-driven society, it’s refreshing to be part of something that doesn’t cost money and involves recycling. It’s also the perfect excuse for a ladies-only night!”
How it works:
Its best to invite participants who are roughly the same size and age so that its easier for everyone to share clothing. Participants bring along gently used clothing and accessories they no longer wear.
Each item is presented and, if there is more than one person who would like to be its next owner, you can sort it out through rock, paper scissors, throwing dice or drawing cards to see who wins.
Items that no one wants are donated to charity (many charities will collect clothing from your home too!)
Share the love! Organize your own clothing swaps. You can post pictures on our Facebook page here.