Latest Offers
Clothes Swapping Parties – Lets Recycle
November 29th, 2008 by
Hailed as the latest fashion craze, clothes swapping is the eco-friendly way to be stylish. Ruth Harwood, from BBCGreen, joins the party
Ever wondered how you to get rid of all those impulse buys that have been sitting in your wardrobe unworn for months without feeling bad about it? Clothes swapping parties, known as swishing, are a fun way to walk away with a new outfit and recycle all those unwanted clothes.
You dig out those clothes that you’ve only worn once and then swap them for clothes and accessories you really do want. Sounds like a good deal.
The clothes swap scene is already big in New York and Sydney – now this craze is hitting the UK. Lucy Shea, the brains behind swishing movement at green PR firm Futerra coined the phrase and began hosting parties in 2007. The dictionary definition is “to rustle, as silk”. Futerra has redefined it as “to rustle clothes from friends.”
How it works
It’s pretty simple to organise a swishing party. Everyone must bring at least one clean, good quality item of clothing. It’s better to donate more because you are allowed to leave with as much booty as you’ve brought.
I went to my first party, Swap ‘til You Drop in Bethnal Green, east London, one Sunday afternoon to take a peek.
Let the swish begin
Hoping to come away with some hot nearly-new clothes, I arrived early and things were just getting started. All of the donated clothes are hung on display rails and once most people are there the rules of swish were explained.
You then have an hour or so to browse and try on clothes you like. One of the rules is that you can’t claim items during this time. When the swish begins, you take what you want. The party I went to also had a sewing machine available someone on hand to help, so people could customise and alter clothes if they wished.
I left with two tops, a skirt and a necklace, and came away converted – by recycling some of my old stuff I could have a guilt-free image update! And any unswapped clothes at the end of the party were donated to charity.
Reduce, reuse
We’re all guilty of buying too much and with scandals in the news about sweatshops disposable fashion becoming less desirable. Clothes swapping is a greener and more ethical way of updating your wardrobe.
Swapping wearable clothes rather than throwing them away reduces waste and saves energy, as all new things use raw materials, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
Everyone has something in their wardrobe that they just don’t wear; swishing is a fantastic way to recycle those unwanted clothes and accessories. It’s a great reason to throw a party and doesn’t have any of the hassles of Saturday high street shopping.
More swapping fun
- “VISA SWAP” is a collaboration between Visa and TRAID shop – it’s a pop-up shop that opens on London’s Brompton Road. You drop off your clothes in the first two weeks – in return you get a Visa Swap chip card, which is charged with points. Then on the third weekend it’s Party Time and you can spend all your points on other items.
- Try Swap-a-rama – a London-based swishing club night that also turns up at music festivals and events. At the sounds of a klaxon, people swap clothes with their dancefloor neighbour.
- The clothes swapping concept also works well on the web. Specialising in designer clothes, Whatsmineisyours.com is an online fashion exchange website. All you have to do is register for free, upload items from your wardrobe and link with people who have similar tastes.
Posted in Clothing, Fashion, Recycle | Tags: bbcgreen, clothes swap, Clothes swapping parties, Lucy Shea, Swap-a-rama, TRAID shop, VISA SWAP| 2 Comments »
2 Responses to ' Clothes Swapping Parties – Lets Recycle '
Leave a reply
Feather Duster and Human present an afternoon of clothes swapping and live acoustic music Sunday 7 June 09, 3-10pm @
Nectar
274 Latimer Road
London W10
Please visit http://www.myspace.com/hybirdproductions for more information.
For those of us looking to update our wardrobes, there is a new craze sweeping the nation which could be the answer to all our shopping dilemmas – and it starts with the Great Swansea Clothes Swap.
Hosted by the National Waterfront Museum on Saturday 24 July, the swap will give you the chance to clear out unwanted items from your wardrobe and reward yourself with new pieces simply by swapping what you no longer need for something you really want. This is expected to be the LARGEST clothes swap that has ever taken place in Wales with 200 tickets available.
Preparations will kick off at 12pm where people are encouraged to come along and drop off their unwanted items in exchange for tokens. All items will be sorted and racked accordinaly, then at 6pm, doors will re-open and the swapping will begin. Any items left at the end of the evening will be donated to cancer charity, Tenvous to sell in their stores.
The Environment Centre and the City & County of Swansea have been running a series of successful swapping events over the last two years and their popularity has grown and spread across the city. This event will give a greater number of people the opportunity to swap their unwanted items of clothing, shoes and accessories for something that they will really treasure and more people means more to choose from! Swapping instead of shopping is a fun, ethical and sociable way of saving precious resources from landfill and saving you loads of money whilst giving you a new wardrobe.
Entertainment will be provided by Swansea-based Women in Jazz and the Museum’s café will be open for you to refresh either before or after your swapping spree. In addition all attendees will receive a free goody bag full of eco friendly and ethical delights.
The Rules
1. Buy your ticket in advance
Tickets are £7.50 per person and are available from http://www.greatswanseaclothesswap.co.uk or the Environment Centre, Pier Street, Swansea.
2. Drop off (12-5pm, Saturday 24 July)
Bring at least three unwanted, clean and wearable items from your wardrobe that you would be proud to pass on – these can include accessories and shoes, but no underwear, swimwear or earrings.
3. Swapping (6-8pm, Saturday 24 July)
Bring back your tokens and get ready to find your new summer wardrobe!
Speaking about the forthcoming swap, Events Officer at the Museum, Miranda Berry said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the event at the Museum, it’s something really new and different for us with a great sustainability aim and lots of fun too.
“It’s an ideal way for people to refresh their wardrobe without having to spend lots of money and it’s very satisfying to see clothes you once loved go to a good home.”
The event has been organised in partnership with Blind Lemon Events Ltd, The Environment Centre, Swansea, City & County of Swansea’s Environment Department and Tenovus.