Clothes Swaps
Clothes are an essential part of life, protecting us from the elements and keeping us warm. Our choice of clothing can also be a form of self-expression, style and empowerment. Large amounts of raw materials, resources and energy are used to make and transport clothes. Most people have good quality clothes in their wardrobes they no longer wear or want. These clothes should not become waste. Dublin City Council supports the circular economy principle. A circular fashion industry designs clothes that can be kept in use at their highest value for as long as possible.
What is a Clothes Swap?
Clothes Swaps offer an opportunity for good clothes to have longer useful lives. A clothes swap is a party or event were people bring the clothes they no longer wear and exchange them for clothes they will use. Clothes swaps offers a way to find new styles in a sustainable way.
Reasons for a Clothes Swap
- For the environment: organising or attending a clothes swap is a positive environmental action. Many of the clothes we don’t want to wear anymore are still in a good condition. Swapping clothes keeps these clothes in use for longer and stops good clothes going to waste. This will save water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lessen negative environmental impacts.
- For people: people can update their wardrobes at a clothes swap without spending a fortune. Clothes swaps also provide an opportunity for a community to come together socially or even raise money for a good cause.
- For the gift of style: everyone gets bored of wearing the same thing again and again. Clothes swapping is a fun and easy way to find something new to wear.
How to Organise a Clothes Swap
The How to Organise a Clothes Swap guide suggests steps, tips and information needed to plan a successful swap event. The guide can be viewed or downloaded directly using the link below.
Borrow the Community Clothes Swap Kit
The Community Clothes Swap Kit includes the guidebook, clothes rails, hangers, tokens and signage boards. Community groups within the DCC area are welcome to borrow the kit for free. For more information and to make a booking, please visit Change Clothes Crumlin’s website (www.changeclothes.org) or contact [email protected].
Further resources