Five reasons to swap before you shop

The author’s backyard before a group of women descended on it for a private clothes swap
Photo by Rosemary Hosson
 

A closetful of clothes and not a single thing to wear. Hmph.

It’s hard getting dressed in the morning when all you have to look forward to is wearing that ill-fitting yet strangely comfortable $6 t-shirt you picked up at Old Navy. Quality clothing is often associated with high cost, but not so, says Rosemary Hosson, a clothing designer and the emcee for two years running at Take Off Your Clothes, the annual massive clothing swap at Place-des-Arts.

Clothing used to be made quite well, actually, before mass production was kicked into overdrive by mega-manufacturers. So well, in fact, that a lot of it remains intact today for your vintage shop perusal. Just don’t hesitate over a piece for too long at a clothing swap attended by hundreds of women — Hosson fully admits that part of her own personal strategy is knowing how to “crowd a bitch if she’s hovering near a piece you’ve spotted.”

Here’s her top five reasons why you should swap before you shop.

—Tracey Lindeman

 

1. You’ll save a lot of money. I can’t think of one woman who wouldn’t want to refresh or even completely replace her wardrobe at least once a year. How about doing it at almost no cost? Whatever your reasons are for wanting to do so, this is, hands down, the cheapest way to update your look. Think about how much you spend on clothing on a monthly basis or — ouch — annually. Now think about the fact that you don’t have to.

2. It’s the green thing to do. The SWAP Team’s website reports that 67,576 garments (and counting!) have been diverted from landfills thanks to the events the group has hosted thus far. This figure doesn’t include all of the clothing exchanged in people’s homes on a regular basis.

Most of us try to bring our unwanted garb to collection bins but, sadly, many items still find their way to the dump — even pieces that could find a good home or even be reconstructed and given a new life. More swapping in people’s closets means less clothing in landfills.

3. You’ll score original clothing. When you find your clothing where everyone else shops, you end up blending in. That’s fine for some, but most of the people I know prefer unique pieces. Sure, swapping clothes might lead you to a nice Jacob dress or an H&M skirt you missed out on, but you’re more likely to stumble upon items you hadn’t even thought to look for. Thrift stores can indeed yield similar finds, and I encourage you to check them out. But swapping is free, and you get to clean out at least part of your closet in the process.

4. You’ll meet cool people. Hosting a clothing exchange or attending one is usually a fantastic experience, even for people who hate to shop. There’s often wine and finger foods and, by the time everyone is trying clothing on, people have gotten to know each other and are quite helpful. What’s better than walking into a room in a dress you’re trying on and being greeted by a dozen people who think you look amazing in it? Whoever is letting go of the item is thrilled it’s going to someone who loves it, and you’re excited about your new score. Everyone wins, and everyone leaves happy.

5. It’s socially conscious. If you take a moment to learn about where your cheap, mass-produced clothing comes from, who had to go through what to ensure that you get your cute summer dress for all of $24.99 plus tax and what your favourite retail chain does with unsold goods, you’d definitely consider swapping before shopping. People get caught up in what’s in style, what’s on sale and what brands they’re wearing, but, sadly, few pay attention to what exactly they’re investing in. I won’t rip the lid off this can of worms, but it goes without saying that exchanging clothing is more socially responsible than the alternative.

Take Off Your Clothes happens July 28 & 29 at Place-des-Arts.