Every year, we see flyers, commercials, and social media posts circulating the latest clothing collections from our favourite brands. We admire new styles, cuts, colours, and materials; all designed to catch our interest and encourage a sale. With the online retail market at an all-time-high, buying clothing on a whim has never been easier. Even with a tightening economy, we always seem to have just enough to indulge in a new jacket, belt, or pair of shoes. But, the thrill of buying new clothes doesn’t last– and neither does the quality and appreciation of the clothing itself. In reality, most clothes we buy on an afternoon impulse end up in a landfill before they have been worn just ten times.
When clothing gets sold, worn, and thrown away in the blink of an eye, where does it leave us; and where does it leave our communities?
You have likely seen countless videos, articles, and statistics on the impacts of overconsumption and fast fashion on our wallets and our planet. In this blog post, we’re talking about small victories against fast fashion, and climate change. Specifically, we want to discuss the interesting case of community clothing swaps.
At a clothing swap, you won’t find anything for sale. Coming in the doors and entering the quiet chatter of neighbours and community members, guests slip into the crowd. Some bring a bag, and a list of items they’re hoping to find. Others drop by on a whim to see if they’ll spot anything they’re interested in. Families, couples, friends, and singles will pop in throughout the evening to participate in the swap. But, nothing is bought, and nothing is sold. At a clothing swap, gently used clothes are passed between hands. Some people have donated clothes ahead of time for the swap, and others have simply come to look for new clothing, or a free event in their neighbourhood to check out.
Unlike at a store, or peering through the screen into an online retailer, a clothing swap immerses you in your community. There is no financial burden or expectation of spending, nor feelings of separation between you and people of different perceived economic backgrounds. Everything is free, and nothing is for sale. Strangers engage in idle conversation and exchange pleasantries. New mothers will smile and hold up charming baby clothes they’ve found, fathers will rifle through dress pant piles with their sons, and small children will braid bracelets from fabric scraps at kids activity stations. Hours earlier, behind the scenes, teen volunteers will gawk and joke at the occasional garish t-shirt that’s made its way into the swap as they sort items. We don’t see this diversity of human interaction in a department store.
A clothing swap reduces textile waste, but it also builds bridges between North Americans still recovering socially following the pandemic.
In our own organization, Green Venture’s clothing swap has been run by seasoned program coordinators– but largely by young co-op students, interns, youth environmental groups, and program assistants. It has played a role in the professional and personal development of many youth. Even on an organizational level, the planning and implementation of a clothing swap builds us upward.
This is the interesting case of the community clothing swap, and its social and environmental value.
The next time a clothing swap is happening in your area, we encourage you to visit and see what it has to offer you. Start a conversation, and take home some free clothes.
Written by Akira Ourique, Program Assistant and current Clothing Swap Event Lead