Wed, 8 February 2012
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Clothes swapping events have spread like wildfire across the United States and are all the rage in London; Amsterdam is the latest city to catch clothes swapping fever.If you like the idea of refreshing your wardrobe in a party atmosphere, in a manner that is good for the environment, good for your pocket and helps a local charity, then ‘Swap and the City’ is just for you.
The trend to swap clothes instead of throwing them out has grown in popularity, from private clothes swapping parties to major events in international capital cities as well as the growth of specialised Internet sites.
Sites such as eBay have been prime places to sell unwanted clothes for some time now, but swapping events add a personal element to getting rid of unused garments.
The design of the event in Amsterdam, to be held on 14 March, is simple. In every woman’s wardrobe there is a long forgotten dress confined to the depths of the cupboard; an abandoned skirt that looked great on the rack but never quite made the grade back home; or boots that seemed perfect in the shop but which crushed your feet when you actually walked in them.
Each participant brings five or more of such items to the party, and leaves with as many items as they like. Shoes, clothes, jewellery and purses are all swappable, as long as they are in great condition.
However, it is not just about swapping clothes: fun, beauty and socialising are also on the agenda.
“Women can expect a fabulous afternoon of fashion, drinks, delicious snacks and socialising. In the first two hours of the event, guests will have a chance to enjoy drinks (‘cointreaupolitans’), snacks and visit the stands of our beauty specialists who will be offering complimentary treatments like massages, mini-facials, threading, makeup and manicures.
"All guests will go home with a fabulous goodies bag full of great treats, thanks to our very generous sponsors. We also have lots of excellent prizes, which will be given away throughout the afternoon,” Colleen explains.
At the end of the afternoon, clothes without a home will be donated to a local charity, namely the Blijf Groep, a women’s shelter supporting victims of domestic violence in Amsterdam and the surrounding region. The donation of clothing is particularly welcome as many women arrive at the shelter in emergency situations with only the clothes they are wearing.
News of this first event has been greeted enthusiastically, and a follow-up for early next year is already being planned. Colleen reveals that there is also interest in similar events in other Dutch cities, including The Hague and Utrecht.
Swap in the city: 14 March
The Cultuurhuis Diamantslijperij in Tolstraat 129 (de Pijp) is the venue for the first event. For advance ticket purchases and more information, visit www.swapandthecity.com or follow news as it is announced on Twitter at www.twitter.com/swapandthecity. Note that only a limited number of tickets will be available on the door on the day.
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