Clothes swap

I recently attended my first clothes swap and am definitely converted. Sharewear is run by two women who have set up to encourage sustainable clothing practices and to show us that it is just as much fun to go to a clothes swap as it is to shop on the high street.

I have been hearing alot about clothes swaps for a few years now but hadn't actually been to one. Mainly I guess because my shopping habits for years have been a combination of second-hand shopping, swapping with friends and family and just acquiring things through a random process of chance and make-do. I felt quite 'sustainable' already but the opportunity to do all this with a glass of wine and the chance to meet new people was intriguing. 

Everyone brought along five items of clothes they didn't want and these were all placed on racks which we were able to browse through before being let loose to grab and choose what we wanted. We all piled into the change rooms, trying things on and even asking advice of strangers. There was also an alterations person who would give you advice on how to repair or adapt something for a small fee.

My first impression was how much like a village market it was. This is how we used to trade - meeting in a central, local area to trade goods, while we met up with friends and cultivate networks. Combining the act of clothes purchasing with other activities like socialising and alterations and repair seemed really intelligent.

I have spoken in a previous post about how shopping for women is not only about the purchase of clothing but is also about socialising, collaboration and 'advice-giving'. Maybe the clothes swap is an alternative way of consuming which can cater for all these other complex needs that we have as consumers, without us spending too much money or using up more resources. 

It is also a lot more human than the trend towards online shopping, where the shopper is given a virtual 'model' to try on clothes and outfits, images of which can be sent via phone to your friends or mum for advice. 

Back in real time, I came away from the evening with two gorgeous garments, and had that same feeling you get when you buy something you love in a shop, but this was literally the price of a sandwich and I hadn't consumed any virgin materials!

Sharewear plan on running these events regularly and have also run an event for teenagers. Apparently the response was amazing and the teenagers were more thoughtful and respectful with their swapping approach than we were!