When the recession hit us all hard in 2008, a good friend of mine suggested that we start clothes swapping to save on cash. Since then, a group of my actor friends and I have held countless clothes swaps. We don't limit them to just clothes- shoes, accessories, household items, toiletries, and furniture are all welcome. I can't quantify the amount of cash I have saved since starting this practice, but I do know that I very rarely go clothes shopping anymore- I just wait for a swap!
In a first world country, we have so many material possessions that we can take them for granted, forget their worth and what it costs to make them. Clothes swaps help keep items out of landfills and at the same time, helps to save you money. There are many unforeseen added advantages to clothes swaps as well:
1) My "Style" has changed over the years because since there is no commitment to an item of clothing I am more likely to take it home and try it out until I incorporate it officially into my wardrobe.
2) They are a great excuse to see friends and catch up.
3) We donate everything left over to various charities around town.
There are also a lot of environmental and humanitarian benefits to clothes swaps as well as I explain in the video below: