By Sailor Ciluzzi
Picture this: you and your best friend hauling bags of clothes over to each other’s places, gearing up to hit the town. Martinis in hand, makeup scattered on the floor – it’s girlhood at its finest, and the night feels like it couldn’t get any better, right? But beyond the fun and games of playing dress-up, there is something even cooler going on: you're actually doing a huge service for the planet by swapping clothes.
Clothing swaps are as simple as it sounds: exchanging once loved clothes between people who want to refresh their wardrobes. This can mean different things, from swapping clothes for just a night with friends to fully participating in events where you walk away with new favorites.
Whether it is organized as an official swap or casual gatherings with friends, swaps are a fun way to collect new pieces you are obsessed with while saying bye to some of your past favorites and giving them a new home, and what makes this make even more sense... you're doing your bit for the planet.
So let's talk about the benefits of clothing swaps...
Clothing swaps are a great way to engage with your community and meet new people. Struggling to adapt to a new city? Research clothing swaps near you, or plan your own swap — you might just meet your next friend and a new chic wardrobe all in one!
Swapping clothes plays a huge role in reducing textile waste. According to Earth.org, in the United States, an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste, which is 85% of all textiles, end up in landfills each year. So, take this as a sign for the next time you are tempted to toss that worn-out pair of jeans or that not-so-trendy top out, consider participating in a clothing swap to avoid contributing to the millions of tons of textile waste that ends up in landfills each year.
Not only are clothing swaps cheaper than shopping at your local fast fashion shops, but they also offer unique finds. The chances of you walking down the street in the same top found at a clothing swap are slim to none. It’s a budget-friendly way to refresh your wardrobe with one-of-a-kind pieces.
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, extending the life of clothes by only nine months can reduce one’s carbon footprint by 20-30%.
Shopping from clothing swaps isn’t just cool — it is also the ethical choice as purchasing second-hand clothing saves 700 gallons of water per item.
Clothes swapping 101: Your guide to a stylish swap
Are you ready to refresh your wardrobe but feeling a little lost when it comes to clothing swaps? No worries, we’ve got you covered on how to swap like a pro:
Gather your gems: Head into your closet and find items that are in good condition but no longer spark excitement; it’s important to swap items you think other people would like, don’t offer people a crusty old top still bearing the chocolate stains of your last breakup!
Rally the troops: Invite friends, coworkers, and neighbors for a swapping party. The more people there, the more variety to choose from!
Set the scene: Clothes swaps can be held everywhere — get creative … picture a dreamy garden setup, or transform your living room into your own boutique! You can organize items by categories, and use clothing racks and bins for organization. Having a mirror is always essential for the fashionistas too!
Get excited: Romanticize the countdowns to clothing swaps by creating group chats and give friends sneak peaks of the cool gems you're trading — some may even call dibs on that vintage denim jacket or those killer boots!
Try and trade: Now comes the fun part … time to play dress up! Dive into the collection of fabulous garments and try on different styles. Have fun with this, and leave with items you’ll adore!
What does the future for clothing swaps look like?
Clothing swaps play a vital role in the growing movement toward a more circular fashion industry. With more people becoming educated about the toxicity of the fast fashion industry every day, more people are turning to second-hand shopping.
Clothing swaps are at the forefront as a fun, community-engaging and inexpensive way to reduce our carbon footprints. While some may see it as trendy right now, clothing swaps could be a lasting fixture in the future of fashion.
Itching for a new wardrobe? Head into your closet with a trash bag and sign up for a clothing swap – the likelihood of you snatching cool items and connecting with other fashionistas is high!
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