Anyone can attest to the pure sticker shock of consumerism these days.  Clothing, consumables, household items; we’re not even talking about luxury wants, just the necessities of living and furnishing you and your home.  Combine the continual financial outlay along with the growing pile of clutter and it is no wonder that people are looking for alternatives to get out of the “consume and dispose” cycle.

Enter the era of clothing swaps.  Not only do users save a ton of cash by obtaining gently worn or used items, but by recycling clothing, baby gear and virtually anything else, they are keeping these items out of landfills.  Unlike resale sites such as eBay or craigslist or even in-person garage sales, money does not exchange hands during swaps.  Here’s how it works:

Online sites offer a few different methods for exchanging goods, including:

• Freecycle.org is a site that allows you to post items you want to give away without anything in exchange.  It also allows users to post a “wanted” classified if there is something they are looking for.  Like craigslist, the website allows you to post by location so that exchanges happen locally.
• Clothingswap.com and Swapstyle.com are both online directory web sites that sponsor clothing and misc. item swap parties.  Clothingswap events also include complimentary spa services while you swap.  The premise is the same; once you register to attend, you bring your gently used clothing (or whatever else the specific swap includes) to the event and “trade” with other participants to gain a new wardrobe, book collection, etc.
• Thredup.com is a for profit company that allows members to list “bundles” of items related to baby & kid clothing or toys.  Buyers pay $5 + shipping of $10.95 to Thredup who in return sends a pre-paid box to the seller to complete the exchange.  While sellers do not make any money on the transaction, the goal is that every member is “selling” or “buying” bulk bundles thereby alleviating unused items piling up in homes or worse, landfills.

If you are the type of consumer who needs to touch and feel before you swap, then consider a local clothing swap event.  Peaceloveswap.com offers a directory of local swap events (mostly CA) as well as detailed information on how to start your own.

Regardless of how you choose to utilize the “swap stuff” concept, it’s certainly a growing trend that not only helps the environment but also teaches us that “gently used” is “gentle” on the pocketbook.

Have you utilized an in-person or online swap service?  If so, share your experience!