The Martlet

This time of year a student’s bank account looks about $2,500 smaller, and the supply of tank tops and board shorts seems a bit thin. Last year’s fall collection isn’t as appealing as it once was, but the chances of buying a new wardrobe are slim.

Enter the clothing swap.

While almost every clothing swap has drastically different rules (or lack thereof), they are surprisingly easy to throw and often follow common themes.

The set-up is simple. A host location is decided between friends, then the hosts invite everyone they know (or at least the friends they think have amazing style), then start looking through their own closets. Everything they don’t wear (but is still in good condition), is thrown in a bag for the swap.

Now, this is where the events vary. Sometimes each person has his/her own little pile and displays the clothing like a market. Other times everything goes into the center and there’s a free-for-all.

The recent swap hosted at UVic student Mandy Annand’s house was a mixture of both.

As each guest walked through the front door, they added to the box in the center of the living room. Sometimes items didn’t make it into the box, however, with some of the hosts intercepting outfits that they happened to sneak a peek at while greeting. Such are the perks of hosting a swap.

A variety of foods were cooked and eaten as the box continued to fill in the center of the room.

“What store would let you eat if you’re unhappy because something doesn’t fit?” remarked one swapper as she filled her plate.

Some of the attendees at Annand’s swap were veterans while others were swap virgins, so the rules had to be explained. The biggest debate of the evening was what to do if two people wanted the same item.

After some discussion, arm wrestling became the means of deciding who got what. This proved to be important, as guests began sizing up their competition. Beijing paralympian, Stephanie Dixon attended, humouring those who challenged her to an arm wrestle before she lowered her opponent’s arm to the table with ease; a second attempt was never made.

At some clothing swaps, conflicts are solved by each participant trying on the item and the rest of the attendees voting on who looks best in it or through bartering.

At this swap, piles had previously been sorted according to various characteristics of each piece of clothing. At one point the atmosphere was similar to that of a stock exchange, with everyone yelling. The only difference was the subject matter.

“Things with buttons over here,” yelled someone.

“I have skirts and dresses in this pile,” said someone else.

The evening progressed with each pile having a representative hold up the items while everyone else either made a case for their clothing pieces of choice or told someone else why they should have them.

At the end of the night, everyone had something new for their closet and it hadn’t cost them a thing.

Clothing swaps aren’t only an excellent way to clean out those drawers, but also a way to shop without your wallet. They’re becoming more popular with students who are tired of their wardrobe but have textbooks to purchase before they use their credit cards for anything wearable.