With the environmental crisis being a major concern today, even small changes can make a big difference.
One area needing reform is the fashion industry, which often promotes constant buying of plastic-based and unsustainable items.
Luckily, things are shifting. More people are turning to alternatives like charity and thrift shopping, resale apps such as Depop, and swap shops. If you’re curious about sustainable shopping, there’s a swap shop event in Dublin next weekend where you can dive into this trend.
Organized by Sustainable Fashion Dublin, this swap shop is a great way to refresh your wardrobe without harming the environment. If you’re new to this concept, here’s a rundown of how it works.
Sustainable Fashion Dublin, co-founded by Geraldine Carton and Taz Kelleher, has gained a growing following on Instagram, bringing together young people in Ireland who are committed to reducing their environmental impact. Their mission is to promote second-hand shopping and sustainable fashion through enjoyable and eco-friendly events like charity shop crawls, workshops, panel talks, and swap shops.
Recently, the push for sustainability has become a trend, with influencers advocating for a lifestyle that moves away from fast fashion. Swap shopping is a part of this movement.
Here’s how it works: You bring clothing items you’re ready to part with and choose from items brought by others. At the swap shop, you can bring up to five items that are freshly washed and in good condition (no underwear allowed).
When you arrive, your items will be checked for quality before being added to the racks of clothes brought by other participants. After everyone has arrived and contributed their items, there’s a countdown. Attendees then rush to pick their favorite pieces. After everyone has chosen their first item, they return to the starting line and repeat the process for their second and third picks. Once everyone has three items, it’s open browsing for all.
The event welcomes people of all ages, sizes, and genders, and there will be cold drinks and wood-fired pizzas available.
Taking place at Lucky’s in Dublin on May 18th, tickets for the event are just €15. This price gets you three or more new fashion pieces for nearly the cost of a single item from fast fashion. Your ticket also grants entry to a sustainable flea market following the swap shop.