Clothes swapping parties

Hailed as the latest fashion craze, clothes swapping is the eco-friendly way to be stylish. Ruth Harwood joins the party

Ever wondered how you to get rid of all those impulse buys that have been sitting in your wardrobe unworn for months without feeling bad about it? Clothes swapping parties, known as swishing, are a fun way to walk away with a new outfit and recycle all those unwanted clothes.

You dig out those clothes that you've only worn once and then swap them for clothes and accessories you really do want. Sounds like a good deal.

The clothes swap scene is already big in New York and Sydney - now this craze is hitting the UK. Lucy Shea, the brains behind swishing movement at green PR firm Futerra coined the phrase and began hosting parties in 2007. The dictionary definition is "to rustle, as silk". Futerra has redefined it as "to rustle clothes from friends."

How it works

It's pretty simple to organise a swishing party. Everyone must bring at least one clean, good quality item of clothing. It's better to donate more because you are allowed to leave with as much booty as you've brought.

I went to my first party, Swap ‘til You Drop in Bethnal Green, east London, one Sunday afternoon to take a peek.

Let the swish begin

Hoping to come away with some hot nearly-new clothes, I arrived early and things were just getting started. All of the donated clothes are hung on display rails and once most people are there the rules of swish were explained.

You then have an hour or so to browse and try on clothes you like. One of the rules is that you can't claim items during this time. When the swish begins, you take what you want. The party I went to also had a sewing machine available someone on hand to help, so people could customise and alter clothes if they wished.

I left with two tops, a skirt and a necklace, and came away converted - by recycling some of my old stuff I could have a guilt-free image update! And any unswapped clothes at the end of the party were donated to charity.

Reduce, reuse

We're all guilty of buying too much and with scandals in the news about sweatshops (Read our Fashion victim article) disposable fashion becoming less desirable. Clothes swapping is a greener and more ethical way of updating your wardrobe.

Swapping wearable clothes rather than throwing them away reduces waste and saves energy, as all new things use raw materials, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

Everyone has something in their wardrobe that they just don't wear; swishing is a fantastic way to recycle those unwanted clothes and accessories. It's a great reason to throw a party and doesn't have any of the hassles of Saturday high street shopping.

More swapping fun

• "VISA SWAP" is a collaboration between Visa and TRAID shop - it's a pop-up shop that opens on London's Brompton Road. You drop off your clothes in the first two weeks - in return you get a Visa Swap chip card, which is charged with points. Then on the third weekend it's Party Time and you can spend all your points on other items.
• Try Swap-a-rama - a London-based swishing club night that also turns up at music festivals and events. At the sounds of a klaxon, people swap clothes with their dancefloor neighbour.
• The clothes swapping concept also works well on the web. Specialising in designer clothes, Whatsmineisyours.com is an online fashion exchange website. All you have to do is register for free, upload items from your wardrobe and link with people who have similar tastes.

Get more green and ethical living advice at bbcgreen.com