I hosted a clothing swap!
On gifting and getting things for free...
A few months ago, I was strolling through Volunteer Park and saw what looked like a pop-up thrift store. I walked closer and read on a big cardboard sign: “Free Clothes!” “Wow, that’s cool”, I thought, "I wanna do that.”
So I did! Two Sundays ago, my housemates and I gathered our bags of clothes destined for goodwill and set up camp in nearby Gasworks Park. We brought camping gear, hangers and racks and mirrors, supplies for art and music making, and some snacks. After a bit of last-minute guerrilla marketing and strategic combat against high winds, we were open.
Lots of people stopped by. Friends and strangers alike brought their clothes and curiosity. Folks stayed around to munch on snacks and jam out and make art. I love the feeling of finding a hidden treasure in a thrift store, and seeing that same delight on people’s faces as they picked out eclectic additions to their wardrobes was a real gift. I never tired of explaining to confused passers-by that everything was indeed free.
After the third person asked me if they had to bring clothes to take clothes. I crossed out ‘swap’ on the makeshift signage. The rest of the signs just said “Free Clothes” or “Take some clothes (yes it’s free”).
In retrospect, the word swap does imply an exchange or bartering. The few clothing swaps I’ve been to all had the implicit or explicit rule that every participant bring some clothes to be exchanged for others’ clothes. Our little event wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful gifts of clothes and time and labor, but it also wouldn’t be possible without people taking that gift.
I grew up thrifting a lot with my mother, but some of my favorite clothes and toys were not from Goodwill or Salvation Army but hand-me-downs from friends and family. Some of our sturdiest furniture were found by dumpsters or on sidewalks, left by neighbors with “FREE” scribbled on taped paper. As a financially privileged adult I still have a lot of fun buying nice things second-hand, but even more fun is not having to buy them at all.
I love spaces for giving and receiving things without the obligation to pay. Here’s a few that stand out:
my college co-op’s makeshift free store (a pile of clothes, toiletries, and dorm furniture on the second floor landing) where I got my first “nice” eyeshadow palette
free costume closets at regional burning man events (where I’ve found light up headbands, fish sandals, and a real fur stole)
the corner of the street I live on, where neighbors have put out leather platform boots and children’s toy sets and cat trees
I’m incredibly grateful that all of these spaces exist, and I want to keep creating them, because there shouldn’t be any shame or guilt in taking a gift that is freely given. For finding more spaces like this, I highly recommend joining your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook, and if you’re in Seattle, check out the quarterly Seattle T4T Clothing Swap.