Posh Swaps Blog

Eco fashion is a bit of a trendy buzz word at the moment with so many clothing companies describing their clothing as Eco fashion. Some companies promote themselves as selling only Eco fashion whilst others have a small range of Eco fashion clothing. I would consider Eco fashion to be clothing that in someone has less environmental impact that the equivalent piece of conventional clothing. Obviously the lesser the impact the better. So how as a consumer can you decide what is important in terms of Eco fashion. Here are just a few considerations that may help.

Sustainability - this describes the use and renewal of resources. Is the clothing using resources that can not be easily replaced. This would include many synthetic fabrics which are made using oil a resource that will eventually run out. Sustainability considerations also include the use of landfill to dispose of waste. Clothes that have a longer life cycle are generally more sustainable.

Pollution- the release of chemicals both as gas, solids or liquids into the environment can be damaging to flora, fauna, Eco systems and the people living nearby. Pollution can be caused by effluent from factories where clothes are manufactured, pesticides used to cultivate cotton and dyes, chemicals washed from textiles that have been disposed of in landfill sites.

Carbon emmissions - global warming is though to be caused by the build up of green house gases. This includes both carbon dioxide produced when fossil fuels are burnt and methane released when natural textiles break down in landfill. It is important to consider how much energy has been used to manufacture a piece of clothing (its carbon footprint) this will include the energy used in transportation and again it life span. If clothes last longer, less clothes need to be made and less end up in landfill.

The environmental impact of a piece of clothing does not end with just these factors though. Through out its life a piece of clothing will probably be washed, cleaned, dried and ironed numerous times. In order to really minimise the environmental impact of a piece of clothing, you should also consider how these processes will affect the environment. For example, dry cleaning a piece of clothing will have quite a big environmental impact. A piece of clothing that dries naturally easily and doesn’t need ironing will be a good Eco friendly choice especially if washed at a low temperature.

Clothes swapping, buying and selling second hand clothes is a great option for those looking to help the environment. It increases the life cycle of each item of clothing, reduces landfill and reduces the amount of new clothes being bought therefore reducing all of those other impacts. For those living on a budget it also offers a low cost alternative to fast fashion (which is usually bad for the environment due to the way it is made and its short life cycle), that allows them to regularly update and refresh their wardrobe.

Last night was another fun clothes swap party for Posh Swaps. This time at the Guildhall in Bath. The swappers had a relaxed evening, enjoying a glass of wine and browsing the clothes and stalls. That was until the swap began at about 8pm, when the room turned into a frenzy of swapping with everyone grabbing for the items that they really wanted.

Once again I was gutted to be working as I would have loved to participate in the swap. I saw so many gorgeous clothes and couldn’t believe that these were actually clothes that people no longer wanted. Some great labels like Monsoon and Nougat, some gorgeous evening wear and lots of colourful and sparkly clothes and accessories  and even some brand new clothes with the tags still on.

We were delighted to welcome Emma McDonnell, Personal Stylist of Style to Wear along to the swap. Emma styled one lucky swapper and also showed her collection of gorgeous leather and suede corset/ obi belts are the perfect finishing touch for so many outfits.

Clothes swap parties are now really popular but have you ever though about arranging a clothes swap for children’s clothes. A school or nursery would be the ideal place to hold one. You could even charge a small entrance fee and have a few child related stalls to raise some funds for the school.

It makes sense as children grow out of their clothes so quickly, often before they have had the chance to wear their clothes very much. It is also a great way of saving money and also reducing waste and the amount of textile waste that goes into landfill. You could even combine it with a toy or book swap and second hand sale for nursery items.

If you prefer, you can sell or swap childrens clothes online at www.posh-swaps.com.

The Fashionable Housewife is reading Return To Beauty, a new book filled with all natural skin care recipes. A must read for eco-friendly gals!

Factio Magazine checks out destination clubs, a savvy new way for luxury travelers like you to vacation in exotic locations around the world!

Fashion Pulse Daily wonders if the Norma Kamali for Walmart Sleeping Bag Jacket is up to par…your thoughts?

My Beauty Bunny is giving away a free Orglamix mineral eyeshadow every day!

Posh Swaps explains why almost everyone has some clothes they should swap in the perfect clothes for swapping

The Fashionable Bambino is giving away a $25.00 Gift Card for Maukilo!!! Wooden toys sold at Maukilo.com are finished with non-toxic, natural lacquers; and plastic toys are made from child-safe, PVC-free materials.

The Fashionable Gal dishes on Abrione Chakra Masks for Face & Body.

Have you ever considered swapping your clothes? Maybe not but considering most people only wear a small percentage of their clothes most of the time, perhaps it would be a good idea. Most people have a least one or two items of clothing that for one reason or another they never wear. These clothes are just gathering dust and using up valuable wardrobe space, swapping them is  a great way to get something new that you would wear. Some of the prime clothes for swapping include:-

• Clothes that you are just bored of, you have worn them so many times, you are completely fed up with them even though they are still in great condition.
• Clothes that don’t fit. Perhaps you have lost or put on weight, had a baby or the clothes have never fitted you. If you are holding on to them in the hope that they will one day fit you, you may well of gone off them by then anyway.
• Clothes that are just not your colour. You will have a number of colours that look great on you and make your complexion glow and also a number of colours that make you look washed out. If you have clothes that don’t look great on you get rid of them and get something that does.
• Clothes that just don’t suit your bodyshape. We all make the occasional purchasing error when it comes to clothes. If something doesn’t suit you there is absolutely no point in hanging on to it, swap it now.
• Unwanted presents. Whilst friends of family may have had the best of intentions, you will sometime receive clothes as gifts that you just don’t like. Don’t feel guilty about swapping them, surely it is better than wasting them by leaving them at the back of your cupboard.
• Clothes that don’t suit your lifestyle. What is the point in having 10 party dresses if you only go to one party a year. Why not swap them for day dresses that you can wear more often.
• Last years Christmas party dress. If you always go to a party with the same people, you will probably not want to wear the same dress twice. Swapping it is the perfect solution.

So why not have a sort out. You can swap your clothes online at Posh-swaps.com for free or if you live near enough why not come along to one of our clothes swap parties. You will be doing your bit for the environment and saving yourself some money.

Here are some of the clothes swap parties around the country in November. Of course, if you didn’t already know, we at Posh Swaps will be holding one in Bath on 24th November, if you live near by, we would love to see you there, don’t forget to buy your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.

Clothes Swap 5th November

05 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: PanAm bar, Albert Dock, Liverpool

Come and have a fun night out with your friends, go home with a new wardrobe and support a great local charity!

The night starts at 7pm at Liverpools’ PanAm bar. PanAm is a contemporary bar and restaurant, located in the Grade 1 listed Britannia Pavilion on the Albert Dock overlooking fabulous views towards Liverpool’s Three Graces and has won the coveted Taste of Merseyside Accreditation. www.panam-venue.co.uk/

Free cotton Tote bag for each attendee to take their goodies home in!

SWISHING NIGHT in aid of St James Church Roof Appeal

07 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: ST JAMES CHURCH HALL

St James Church in desparate need of roof repairs and so now is your chance to help us by raising money with the event that is sweeping the nation……swishing night…..fab eco-friendly way of recycling clothes. ADMISSION BY PRE-PAID TICKET ONLY. CONTACT BY EMAIL PROVIDED.

Email: nuttymoee@hotmail.co.uk

Deafblind Scotland’s Dress’n Gown Swishing Party

09 Nov 2009 19:30

Venue: Lenzie Union New Hall

Bring up to 3 items to swap including dresses, suits, hats, bags, belts, shoes and scarves.

Guests will be served proper coffee along with chocolates and cake.

The night will also include a special fashion show involving some of the clothes on offer as well as some further surprises…

Tickets cost £10 (including refreshments) and can be bought on our website www.deafblindscotland.org.uk

Email: events@deafblindscotland.org.uk

Swap Don’t Shop Ladies Clothes Swap evening

10 Nov 2009 19:30

Venue: Mowsbury Golf Club, Bedford

Ladies, bring at least two items of clothing or accessories, pay £5 to get in (which includes a free galss of wine) and get swishing! Hope to see you there!

Email: lisa.chambers@hotmail.co.uk

Swish for St Mary’s!

12 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: st mary’s primary school

Swish for St Mary’s, is to raise money for St Mary’s centre Wycliffe; an idyllic retreat centre in the north East of England, near the historic town of Barnard Castle. The funds raised will be used to revamp each of the bedrooms at the retreat centre, see www.wycliffecentre.jimdo.com for more details and tickets!

Email: emma_hedley@hotmail.co.uk

Offley School Swish

12 Nov 2009 20:00

Venue: Offley Village Hall, Great Offley, Herts.

A swish to raise funds for Offley School. All are welcome to attend. £5 entrance fee. Arrive at 8.00pm to arrange clothes, followed by drinks and viewing. The Swish will begin at 8.45 pm prompt!

Rules of the rail

1) Bring at least 3 items of quality clothing.

2) You will have 45 mins to browse before the swish opens. There will be wine. £1 a glass.

3) No item may be claimed before the swish opens.

4) As soon as the swish is declared open, everyone may take what they want.

No fighting.

Email: kayanddavin@btinternet.com

Restyling & Refashioning

14 Nov 2009 10:00

Venue: V&A Museum, London

This year the focus will be on sustainable fashion with a focus on men’s suits and vintage. Restyle and recycle your wardrobe with our glamorous clothes swap Swishing event including a Vintage Section and Stylists\’ Booths. Bring you chic but unloved new and vintage fashion items to swap for ones you will love, and not just women’s clothes but men’s suits too. More details here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/activ_events/events/Restyling_and_Refashioning/index.html

Swishing for HER Breast Friends

16 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: Darleys, Hessle

Tickets: £5 - Charity swishing event to raise money to support local people with breast cancer. Nibbles, Gift Stalls and Raffle.

Email: generalenquiries@herbreastfriends.org

Swishing at Prescot

17 Nov 2009 12:00

Venue: Prescot Shopping Centre

The Swish will take place at the Prescot Shopping Centre. You can bring between 1 to 6, good quality, items and browse from 12 till 12.30 then SWISH till you drop. Free to enter but £1 donation would be gratefully appreciated on the way out. All money raised to go to the Honeyrose Foundation.

Email: sdove@virgoconsultancy.co.uk

Swishing Party in aid of the British Heart Foundation

19 Nov 2009 18:00

Venue: Companies House

We are hosting a Swishing Party in aid of the Cardiff Heart Nurse Appeal, the local appeal from the British Heart Foundation Cymru. They support two Specialist Heart Nurses @ Heath Hospital in Cardiff. 6-9pm - Please email me for further details!

Email: lhugglestone@companisehouse.gov.uk

Refashionable Clothes Swap 19th November

19 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: PanAm bar, Albert Dock, Liverpool

Come and have a fun night out with your friends, go home with a new wardrobe and support a great local charity!

The night starts at 7pm at Liverpools’ PanAm bar. PanAm is a contemporary bar and restaurant, located in the Grade 1 listed Britannia Pavilion on the Albert Dock overlooking fabulous views towards Liverpool’s Three Graces and has won the coveted Taste of Merseyside Accreditation. www.panam-venue.co.uk/

Free cotton Tote bag for each attendee to take their goodies home in!

Come Swishing

20 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: Fuchsia at Orocco Pier, 17 High Street, South Queensferry

Come Swishing at Orocco Pier in aid of Rosebery Playgroup.

Each person must bring at least 3 items of nearly new or very good quality clean clothing or accessories that they would be proud to hand on.

Browse and try on clothes between 7.30 - 9.00pm (changing facilities available). During this time you will have the opportunity to purchase hand made jewellery, treat yourself to a mini-manicure or get a tarot reading by a professional clairvoyant.

Countdown to the opening of the Swish at 9pm!

After the Swish we will be running a karaoke so you can continue to party the night away with friends whilst admiring your new clothes!

Tickets cost £10 including a glass of fizzy on arrival, nibbles and entry to a prize draw. Can be purchased in Picnic cafe (across from Orocco Pier) or via the contact email address. Don\\\’t leave it too late as our last party was a sell out!

Remember ladies: no scratching, spitting or biting!!!!

Email: susan.wllmsn@googlemail.com

Swishing for Alzheimer’s Society

26 Nov 2009 07:00

Venue: Mayfair, London

Swishing evening in Mayfair to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society and just in time for Christmas party season!

6pm clothes accepted
7pm Swish opens for viewing
£10 entry includes drink and nibbles.

Everyone must bring at least one item they would be proud to swap with other London fashionistas! Clothes and accessories welcome - please no childrens items.

Limited tickets available please email for more information.

Email: c.m.lonie@hotmail.co.uk

Vicki’s Frock Exchange in aid of Sue Ryder Care

28 Nov 2009 12:00

Venue: Elmgrove Centre

I am happy to announce Vicki’s Frock Exchange is back! Another fun filled frocktastic day will be held at The Elmgrove Centre just off of Gloucester Road on Saturday the 28th November. Just in time to get your Christmas party dress!

This time all the proceeds will be going to Sue Ryder Care. Sue Ryder Care provides essential care and support to people living with serious illnesses and conditions such as Multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, Huntingtons disease and dementia. They give these people and there families back what these debilitating illnesses and diseases take away through there home visits, and in specialist hospices and in neurological care centers.

I have chosen to fundraise for a very specific part of Sue Ryder Care, called the Malawi Village sponsorship project. I have pledged to raise £3,000 in the next 12 months, which will sponsor a village in Malawi for a whole year. It will provide them with the means to help children out there with epilepsy able to go to school. And communities can help themselves by training local volunteers in health issues. These villages need outside support, and it will be amazing to be part of helping those less fortunate than us, don’t you think?

The price of entry will be £10 for the whole day 12: 30 til about 5-6ish!, It will include your clothes swap, refreshments and nibbles, Live entertainment, DJ\’s, seamstress’s on hand, and once again an Amazing Raffle. The prizes last time were fantastic and included tickets to the hippodrome, meals for two, holistic treatments but to name a few!

There will be access to beauticians and stalls, with a few shops on Gloucester Road showing interest in coming and selling there funky stuff! All this will be confirmed in detail nearer the time.

For those of you who missed out last time I shall explain how the Frock Exchange works;

1.IT IS NOT JUST FROCKS!! You can bring Dresses, coats, shoes, bags and jewellery to shop. 6 Items Maximum and EVERYTHING MUST BE IN GOOD CONDITION! Just think to your self “I want to take some nice things home, so I will bring nice things for others to take home!”

2.You will come with your items which will be checked and displayed by my wonderful volunteers; you will then be given an exchange voucher with the number of Items you bought, so you can take the same number of items away with you. You will be checked on your departure

3.You will have a few hours to try lots of things on and enjoy what else is going on throughout the day. BUT you cannot claim anything as your own until the exchange officially opens. So before it opens, everything must be back on the hangers or display units. I will then give you the nod and you can make a run for your Items! Everyone went home happily with a least one thing they wanted last time. As I have said before, NO BITING or SCRATCHING!!!! Remember it’s all for a good cause!

4.You will have fun! We all had such a happy day last May and raised £800 for Breast Cancer Research UK, and I know it’s going to be bigger better and raise even more this time!

To obtain a ticket, please email me vickisfrockexchange@live.co.uk and I will give you details. For Women of all shapes and sizes age 16 and over

If you are on Facebook, please join my group;

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=86564768596&ref=ts

Can’t wait to see you all again, and hopefully meet some of your friends as well this time around. Spread the word, forward this email to all the ladies you can!

Thank you for your ongoing support and kindness,

Swish into Winter…

28 Nov 2009 13:00

Venue: Aldershot

Part of our big, brilliant Autumn Festival, join us and Swish into winter.

Email: nicola.hewett@hants.gov.uk

Clothes Swap (swishing) party

28 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: Greasby Methodist Church, Greasby Road, Wirral

Bring at least 1 item of new or nearly new clothing and swap it for another—free of charge!!!
You can swap up to as many items as you bring!!
Help will also be on hand if you want to spice up your wardrobe or just experience a change!!!

Email: a.landrum@ntlworld.com

Refashionable Charity Clothes Swap- Last before Christmas

01 Dec 2009 19:00

Venue: PanAm bar, Albert Dock, Liverpool

Come and have a fun night out with your friends, go home with a new wardrobe and support a great local charity!

The night starts at 7pm at Liverpools’ PanAm bar. PanAm is a contemporary bar and restaurant, located in the Grade 1 listed Britannia Pavilion on the Albert Dock overlooking fabulous views towards Liverpool’s Three Graces and has won the coveted Taste of Merseyside Accreditation. www.panam-venue.co.uk/

Free cotton Tote bag for each attendee to take their goodies home in!

Swish for Christmas

02 Dec 2009 19:30

Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport

Charity Event being held by the Hotel in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation.

Tickets 15 euro…..contact Aisling at aisling.skelton@radissonblu.com

Email: aisling.skelton@radissonblu.com

Over the last couple of days, I have had a few people ask me how a Posh Swaps clothes swap party works. I apologise if I have been taking it for granted that everyone knows exactly what happens and has been to a similar swishing party already, so here is a bit of an explanation.

Each person brings along 3 pieces of clothing or accessories that they would like to swap. They do not have to be really expensive designer clothes but it is really important that they are a reasonable quality, clean (i’m sure this goes without saying) and in good condition. It is also really important that the swapper is completely willing to part with the clothes as once they have been entered into the swap, there is no going back. The clothes are collected as the swappers arrive and laid out. We will do a very quick welcome speech, just to let everyone know how it all works and anything else important.

There will then be between 30 mins and an hour for swappers to browse the clothes, fashion and beauty market and enjoy a glass of wine and chat with friends before the swap begins. No one may take any clothes before the swap is declared open. There will be a five minute warning before the swap begins and then a bell/ whistle to signal the start of the swap.

Each person can take up to 3 items of clothing. They can try them on and come back and change them if they wish. We encourage everyone to keep it light hearted and friendly although occasionally things can get  a bit heated.

Frugal living is currently a necessity for many people but has also become quite fashionable as people find new and creative ways to live on a minimal budget. The media have likened this frugality to the second world war when rationing and shortages forced people to ’make do and mend’. John Lewis has even rewritten a wartime make do and mend booklet for modern times. It gives some great tips that still apply today as well as some new ones such as the economic use of the central heating.

This make do and mend philosophy, is not just frugal but also environmentally friendly and a real contrast to throw away society that has become so prevalent in recent years. Make do and mend positively encourages a reduction in waste and recycling in all sorts of different ways. Some thing that may be quite alien to many but that fits in perfectly with the current economic climate and make do and mend philosophy is making do with the clothes we have instead of buying new. Of course it help greatly if the clothes were great quality and classic styles in the first place.

A whole movement of fashionistas has began to spring up around the make do and mend idea. Clothes swapping, swishing parties, clothing repair and alteration, buying and selling second hand clothes and refashioning/ reworking old clothes have all become popular ways not just of saving money and the environment but also of creating unique, interesting and beautiful outfits.

After the success of our last clothes swap party in Chiswick in September, we can’t wait until our next clothes swap party in the historic city of Bath on 24th November. With christmas just around the corner, this will a great opportunity to look for something lovely to wear to a Christmas party and stock up on pressies from the Posh Swaps fashion and beauty market.

The party will be held in the picturesque setting of the Bath Guild Hall and swappers will get the chance to have a very frugal girls night out with tickets costing only £10 (in advance) and including a glass of wine and nibbles, plus a goody bag with fashion and beauty goodies.

Clothes swap or swishing parties are a great alernative to shopping, they are not only fun but also eco friendly and frugal.

Further information and to buy tickets click here: Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Party Bath

I noticed in the Editors letter in this months copy of Elle,a mention of ‘ the Uniform Project’ an exercise in sustainability and the brainchild of Sheena Matheiken. Starting in May this year Sheena, pledged to wear the same dress every day for a year. Well actually she has seven identical versions of the exact same dress, one for each day of the week. She aimed to create a different look each day by accessorising with vintage, second hand and hand made accessories and layers. Sheena illustrates just how it can be done and creates so many different looks with the same dress and some very gorgeous and hand made vintage accessories.

Elle Editor, Lorraine Candy explains how she dresses according to her mood and found it very difficult to wear the same black dress every day when trying to replicate the excercise. I can understand completely what she is saying and think it would be incredibly difficult to wear exactly the same style of dress for a whole year, even for someone creative with their accessories.

But, the project does prove an interesting point that you do not have to constantly update your wardrobe with every new trend. It brings a new meaning to the words classic investment piece and versatile staple. It shows that if you buy quality and timeless pieces, you can look amazing and original. For those who just have to constantly update their wardrobe, there is always the clothes swap, you could even try swapping accessories.

picture from theuniformproject.com