Posh Swaps Blog

Here are Posh Swaps we are swapoholics, any excuse for a spot of clothes swapping. That is why we love the idea of Rag and Beau clothes swapping parties so much. For  a small(ish), fee Rag and Beau will arrange your very own clothes swapping party with a difference.  A Rag and Beau party combines the fun of clothes swapping with the treat of a variety of beauty treatments so you and your friends can go home with a new outfit and feeling rejuvenated and beautiful. Rag & Beau offer a whole range of treatments including manicures and facials. They even offer make up or tips on what to wear and how to wear it.

As with any good party the clothes swapping and treatments are accompanied by a bottle or two of bubby and lots of fun and games. I think this sounds like a great idea for a hen do, a birthday party or just a bit of a gathering.

Even if you don’t fancy holding a clothes swapping party, the Rag & Beau shop is well worth a visit. They are committed to recycling of clothes. They sell by new, second hand and vintage clothing. They have their own childrens label Rag&Beau Baby which is made from completely recycled materials and they can prolong the life of your clothes by repairing, altering and restyling them.

In the current economic climate, some have expressed concerns that the eco fashion industry that has been doing so well over the past few years, may experience some set backs. This is a result of more cautious spending and lack of disposable income. Eco fashion tends to more expensive than conventional clothing and in times of hardship, people just may not be able to afford it.

But there is one way of being frugally fashionable in a sustainable way - clothes swapping. Clothes swapping is the ultimate guilt free alternative to clothes shopping. It is a greay way to completely revamp your wardrobe without spending any money. It is also a great way to recycle your old clothing, reducing waste and reduce your carbon footprint and the pollution and environmental damage caused by the manufacture of new clothing. Second hand clothes are a great way to try out new looks and you can get a whole new look by swapping all of your old clothes.

There are lots of different ways to swap clothes. Swishing is the name given to a clothes swapping party. You can go a long to an organised swish or try arranging your own with friends. The easiest and most convenient way to swap clothes is to use a clothes swapping website like Posh-swaps.com. Why don’t you give it a try?

30 Apr 2009 18:00

Venue: The Glyn Clydach Hotel, Neath

This swish is to raise funds for Chloe’s World - an organisation set up to raise money for equipment and adaptations for a local 10 year old girl. Chloe is a beautiful little girl despite being blind, have learning and physical disabilities, and complex health needs she is a very happy, and brings joy to everyone around her

Email: sal3legs@hotmail.co.uk

25 Apr 2009 20:00

Venue: Greenmount, Bury, Lancashire

Want something new to wear without breaking the bank? Then come swishing with Bury & Rossendale NCT. Entry by ticket only - £3.

Every lady must bring along at least two good quality clean items of clothing or accessories (no underwear!) that she would be proud to hand on. Maternity clothes very welcome.

Tel: 0844 2436067 for tickets
5p per minute from a BT line

All proceeds to Bury & Rossendale NCT, The National Childbirth Trust, Registered Charity No 801395.

Email: burynctswishing@btinternet.com

23 Apr 2009 19:00

Venue: Cartwright Hotel, 1-5 Croughton Road, Aynho, Nr Banbury, Oxon

This is a credit busting way of getting your children a new wardrobe. Enjoy a night out with the girls, a glass of wine, nibbles and some swishing fun.

Entry fee is £10. Please bring a minimum of 3 items of childrens clothes and/or accessories and a maximum of 10 items.

Clothes to be delivered between 7.00-7.30pm, browsing to start at 7.30pm and swishing begins at 8.30pm.

Clothes accepted from 0-10yrs. Please bring clothes you are proud to pass on, that are clean and presented on a hanger.

Email: swish-kids@live.com

23 Apr 2009 19:00

Venue: Pitcher & Piano, Nottingham

Rag & Bone
Finding treasure in someone else’s trash

With the gloom of the recession and a growing emphasis concerning environmental issues, swapping clothing is the ideal solution that satisfies a sustainable lifestyle at no extra cost.

Rag & Bone swap event works on the basis of participants donating items of unwanted clothing, which are sorted and rewarded points that can be used in exchange for other’s unwanted items at the event at Pitcher & Piano, Nottingham at 7.30pm on Thursday 23rd April.

Items should be brought with you on the evening of the event from 7pm onwards for initial browsing and sorting of items. The event is hosted by Aimee Ashforth and Bethany Syms, both students at Nottingham Trent University for their final year project.

The event affiliates with Cancer Research UK, and aims to fundraise through a small entry fee of £3.50.

Items of high-quality clothing, jewellery and other accessories may be offered in the exchange, which are then sorted by the hosts in preparation for the event to ensure a valuable social experience. Points are rewarded depending on the quality and nature of the item, and may be exchanged at the event for any item(s) of lower or equal value.

A customisation service shall be offered at the event, a bespoke service that enables participants to tailor their newly obtained items to their size and personal taste. The price for this service is on a quote basis between £2-£5, and all proceeds shall be given to Cancer Research UK.

Rules and regulations-
1. All items donated need to be of a good quality. Bring items you love, but don’t/can’t wear anymore that you would like to pass on.
2. Please bring a minimum of 3 items and a maximum of 10.
3. No underwear, swimwear or earrings unless new with tags.
4. All donated items should be washed and ironed.

Email: ragandboneswap@hotmail.com

I love the one shouldered dresses that are in the shops at the moment. I decided to have a go at making one myself using a dress that I bough from a charity shop for £5. It was a fairly easy project and only took an hour or two (not great pictures I am afraid but I hope to invest in a better camera soon). The dress was a navy long/ maxi style with an empire line. This is how I restyled and recycled it into a one shouldered dress.

1. I tried it on and worked out where to cut.

2. I finished the cut edge by turning over twice pressing and sewing.

3. I sewed part of an old scarf along the neckline.

4. I finished the cut edge of the other half of the scarf, tied around the empire line of the dress and secured with a few stitches on each side.

There are endless possibilities for restyling clothes into one shouldered dress or tops. You could embellish with all sorts of ruffles, flowers, patterned or contrasting trims made using a piece of clothing that is no longer wearable.

The Centre for Sustainable Fashion was set up by London College of Fashion to help promote sustainable fashion and act as a catalyst for change. It is recognised internationally and integrated with the fashion industry giving it maximum impact.

The Centre was launched in 2008 and has published two reports Fashion and sustainability a snapshot analysis detailing levels of activity across the UK fashion sector in relation to sustainability and fashioning the future, details of the the designers, artists and thinkers who contributed to the Fashioning the future summit in October 2008.

The Centre for Sustainable Fashion blog is  really interesting and informative read for anyone interested in sustainable style. It also has a great list of sustainable labels.

I love the outfit worn by Hope of Pansy Lane Blog in this photograph - simple but very stylish. The photo is pretty amazing, I love the background, light and shadows.

Sweater: vintage, thrifted by my mom
Dress: ’70s, ebay
Tights: Target
Boots: ’70s, ebay
Belt: because I have to cinch dresses like this or I’ll look pregnant.

If you are desparate to get swapping and can’t wait until the launch of Posh Swaps on 20th April, then why not pop along to a great big clothes swap or swishing event organised by UK Aware at the London Olympia Two on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April.

If there are any clothes left over at the end of the event they will be donated to trade.org.uk, a charity working to protect the environment and fight global poverty through its clothes recycling, educational and campaigning activities in the UK.

The swap is likely to be the biggest ever Swish in the UK with over 10,000 visitors. There will be  a variety of green and ethical exhibitors at the event including Greenpeace, the Soil Association, the Recycle Warehouse and Pants to Poverty.

Lupe Castro, ethical stylist will also be there styling models with clothes from the swap.