Clothing Swaps and Frugalistas

Frugalistas! Recessionistas! The Huffington Post has an article about clothing swaps. Here’s a clip from it below.

“Of course, the idea of trading clothes is older than even the most dated dress in your closet. But today’s economy and shopper’s heightened awareness of environmental and social issues have infused swap soirees with a new buzz. Clothing Swap founder Suzanne Agasi touts swaps as a way to do right by the planet, while London’s Sun traces the trend to so-called frugalistas–would-be fashionistas hit hard in recent months by the credit crunch who have found new (well, new-to-them) ways to revive their wardrobes.

This convergence (frugality + high-fashion + enviro ethos) represents something new for the world of eco-fashion, which has largely catered to buyers willing to pay a premium for a bona fide green look. In 2006, Wired described driving a Prius or wearing an organic-cotton shirt as “a way of “peacocking individual virtue and pursuading others to change their ways.” What do you think it says now?”

Sizzling Summer Swap at St. Margaret’s House: August 20

The Five Boroughs Clothing Swap Group lead by Loren Silber has an upcoming swap in August.
Wednesday, August 20 6-8PM
St. Margaret’s House
49 Fulton St
New York, NY 10038

Admission: $5 Proceeds go to St. Margaret House.

When you arrive please check in, pay the entrance fee, put out your offerings in the appropriate areas indicated by the signs. and have at it! You can bring as little or as much as you want and take as little or as much as you like.

Light refreshments will be served, music will be played, clothing will be swapped and a grand time will be had by all. Looking forward to seeing you there!

RSVP on the Meetup page.

UPDATE:  A little bird told me the CBS News will be at the swap filming.  Look sharp!

Haiti’s Secondhand Clothes Industry

Orli from PSFK has a blog post about a documentary, Secondhand Pepe.

In Haiti, there’s a whole industry that revolves around used clothing. The clothes, the markets that sell them, the industry, and the vendors are all known as “pepe.” Clothes have flowed from the US to Haiti since the 1960s, but the origin of secondhand shopping goes much further. “Secondhand (Pepe)” is a 24 minute trilingual documentary film that explores the role of secondhand clothes in diaspora countries, from the Eastern European immigrant Jews in the early 1900s to the function of “pepe” in contemporary Haitian culture and economy.

Join Five Boroughs Clothing Swap Meetup Group

There is a new meetup in town, 5BCS! Led by Loren Silber,  she will be hosting swaps my swaps (approximately 6 times a year) and will notify members of every swap she can find happening in the 5 boroughs.  I will posting news of Loren’s swaps on this blog. The next one will be in August.

Swap Booty

swap booty, originally uploaded by nichellest.

I looked up “booty” and it is defined as “goods or money obtained illegally”. Even though getting five great items in one afternoon of swapping may seem like a steal, it was all legit.

The peach floral tank top could easily go with the Ben Sherman camo skirt. The black and white polka converse skimmer-sneakers are cool and retro.

The Old Navy denim pea coat is a great transition for the fall, and even the distressed leather purse is a keeper. Yay!

Right Rides Swap

right rides swap, originally uploaded by nichellest.

This afternoon, I stopped by the Right Rides swap, and it was great! Lady Aye who is a professional fire eater, fire breather, glass eater, etc., was the host of the event and she handled the raffle.  I didn’t win anything but I got some good stuff.

I will be doing a September clothing swap around the time of Fashion Week. Details TBD.

Featured in New York Daily News Article

clipped from www.nydailynews.com

Yay! I am featured as well as Kathryn Finney, The Budget Fashionista and Loren Silber in a Daily News article about clothing swaps, Frugal Fashion: New Yorkers Learn To Look Good For a Lot Less. BTW, love the new word “recessionista”!

clipped from www.nydailynews.com

“People used to do swaps where it was one thing for one thing, but it’s a lot more free-form now,” explained seasoned Brooklyn clothing-swapper Nichelle Stephens, who posts info on upcoming public swaps in NYC at fashionswapandmeet.wordpress.com.

“Public swaps offer more diversity,” she adds. “Items are sorted by general categories, like pants, dresses and skirts, and once you’re done putting out what you brought, you can take as much as you want.”

Right Rides Clothing Swap @The Delancey

My friend mentioned that there was a clothing swap today (Sunday, July 13) at The Delancey, and this morning I found out the details.  Right Rides is a nonprofit that offers safe late night rides home to women.

Right Rides Clothing Swap Benefit
Today 4pm–7:30pm

The Delancey

168 Delancey St (at Clinton St)

212-254-9920

Donation $5

Description
Support the wonderful, lesbian-run RightRides, which provides women with free rides home on Saturday nights, by attending tonight’s fund-raising bash. Bring your old duds to trade for fab new-to-you ones from others, dance to the music of DJ Codec, check out burlesque star Lady Aye and enjoy drink specials, like $3 PBRs and $5 well drinks.

Clothing Swaps: Good For Your Budget

Plus they are fun!

clipped from www.theolympian.com As the economy lags and gasoline and food prices climb, often it is the clothing budget that suffers most. Attending clothing swaps and shopping at thrift stores are ways to make ends meet. Swaps – which can be done in person or online – are good ways to combat wardrobe fatigue and say good riddance to outfits you’re tired of wearing. Besides fighting money doldrums, clothing swaps are fun.

Swapping For Obama: July 28

What: Designer clothing & Accessories swap to support Obama for President

When: Monday July 28, 2008 6:00 PM

$10.00 per person

http://fashionista.meetup.com/105/calendar/8256720/

Meetup Description: Designer Fashion & Accessories – clothing swap (Fundraiser)
Recycle your designer pieces with someone as equally stylish as you!

Event hosted by: Steel Petal Media owner’s Maureen & Consuela Plus other fabulous members of NYC Fashionistas Meetup group **If you work in the fashion industry and would like to be one of our event co-hosts please email me for details.

to purchase tickets email a $10.00 paypal payment to consuela@steelpetalmedia.com

Special gift for the first 25 to rsvp and purchase a ticket!!!

Join NYC fashionistas as we celebrate Michelle Obama …our future first lady’s, style with a designer clothing swap. Bring in one or more fabulous designer pieces. Please make sure that all clothing is clean and on hangers. Accessory must be dust free and cleaned out – shoes polished etc… Ticket holders can trade pieces for something of equal quality. To participate in this event we require you purchase a $10 ticket and bring in one or more designer pieces.
If you would just like to attend and meet/network with other fashion industry professionals we request a $5 donation which can be collected at the door,

There will be press, some high profile friends and photographers – so make sure you look camera ready!

Happy hour prices at the bar are $3-$5.

What you can expect to see and swap? Designs from the following plus more to be added…
7 for all mankind
Tecasan shoes
Halle Bob top (new)
Giorgio Armani
Anne Klein (Black label)