Get new outfits for nothing, swap for it…
BY CALUM FRASER
shuz@slpmedia.co.uk
Nothing comes for free, until now that is – especially if you are into clothes.
The Clothes Swap Lovers (CSL) group will be hosting a free clothes swap event at the Bird’s Nest in Deptford Church Street, Lewisham, where there will be bags of clothes to try on and walk away with without spending a penny.
From three piece suits to groovy jumpers and hats, there is something for everyone.
Venice Allan, a spokeswomen for CSL, said: “There is a great community feel to the swaps. It’s mostly women that come and it’s created a kind of sisterhood.
“It gives people a chance to try clothes they wouldn’t normally buy.
“Sometimes we put on a night of music and performance that follows the swap and they’re always successful. I mean, the best nights always have more women than men.
“It’s a chance to come down, have fun, make friends and get some new clothes.”
But it’s not just about fun. Clothes swaps address an issues of mass produced clothes in an age excessive waste.
Ms Allan, 42, said: “There is a stigma when it comes to buying clothes. It is an industry that is caught up in the most graphic disparities of wealth.
“You can have sweatshop women in the Third World on slave labour wages knitting a dress for someone paying hundreds of pounds for it.
“We have such a high turnaround of clothes. You could completely stop the global manufacturing of clothing and we would still have enough to keep us going for years.”
CSL have hosted more than 30 swap events since 2014.
Punters are invited to bring any extra clothes they have in bags. Then whatever is left over after the swap is sifted through by the tireless Ms Allan, who gets rid of unwanted old socks and mucky jumpers, to donate the rest to charity shops and homeless shelters.
Ms Allan, a single mother with two sons aged eight and 10, said: “It’s a family-friendly event and all are welcome.
“Most of the clothes are women’s but we are trying to get more men to come down and donate.
“A lot of the homeless people we give the clothes to are men and it would be great if we had more to give.”
The event runs from 4pm to 7pm.
To find out more go to Free clothes swap event page on facebook.
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