When we grow out of our clothes, the next step is planning how to get rid of them to make more room for new clothing. This is normal for any parent with growing kids who may no longer need their smaller baby items or shirts. But instead of throwing these clothes away, why not swap them?
Speaking to theAsianparent, the team behind Swapaholic shared the advantages of swapping clothes and why families should take up the practice to help preserve our planet.
Swapping Clothes: Why You Should “Swap Not Shop”
Image source: Swapaholic
When asked about the importance of swapping pre-loved clothes, Swapaholic shared with us three main reasons to you incorporate it to your decluttering routine.
1. We only use 20% of what we own
According to the swapping service, people only use 20 per cent of items they own with about 80 per cent ending up unused and remain in their closets if not thrown away.
The spokesperson tells us, “By choosing to swap you are prolonging the lifespan of your beloved possessions by finding new owners who will cherish them while simultaneously getting a wardrobe refresh!”
2. Sharing is caring
As per the spokesperson, CNA finds that Singaporeans buy 34 pieces of new clothing and on average discard 27 yearly. The common reasons for disposing of clothes are:
- Making space for new clothes
- No longer fits
“This means that clothes that are still functional end up in landfills,” says Swapaholic. Therefore, the swapping service advises families to swap their clothes as a way to share them instead of throwing them away.
You never know who could use a new – or old – pair of pants that you no longer need anymore.
3. A more sustainable alternative
“The fast fashion industry produces 52 microseasons which means new clothes are being produced every week,” says the spokesperson. “The unsustainable pace of the industry is supported by unsustainable practices that exploit human and natural resources.”
By swapping our clothes, we slow down the pace by circulating existing resources instead of disposing of them.
The “Do’s And Dont’s” Of Swapping Clothes
Image source: Swapaholic
With the practice of swapping clothes, you get to declutter and refresh your closets without compromising your fashion, wallets, and the planet.
Very much like Swapaholic’s fashion swap service, this can enable families to optimise excess resources that already exist in their closets. This can also reduce the cycle of wasteful production and consumption.
To know where to begin, Swapaholic gives theAsianparent a step-by-step guide on how swapping clothes works:
1. SWAP IN fashion you no longer use.
2. The Swap Squad will perform a quality check in all your items.
3. EARN POINTS for each item accepted.
4. Ready to check out? Pay for the amount based on the number of items you’ve swapped in, and SWAP OUT pieces that are as good as new!
Swapaholic notes that you should swap in items in a condition you would like to receive them in. You should also swap out items that you know you would wear at least 20 times!
For more information on how you can swap clothes for women, men and kids, you check their fashion swapping guidelines here.
Image source: Swapaholic
5 Decluttering Tips For Families
1. Twinsies
Items that look similar but you just couldn’t resist. We always end up wearing one over the other.
2. Virgins
All the items that you bought on a sale or impulse but you never ended up wearing.
3. Ghosts
Clothes that we once loved but no longer fit our lifestyle.
4. Gifts
Items that you hoard only because of the sentimental value attached.
5. If and When
Clothes that you bought for imaginary occasions that never actually happen.
Swapaholic has actually just launched The Rescue Project (TRP) which is an initiative to close the fashion loop by redistributing ‘less than perfect’ garments through rewear, upcycling and donation.
Until 24 September, you can drop off a bagful of your pre-owned items to give them a new home. For more details, you can check out the event here and kickstart your swapping fashion journey!
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