Running a Clothes Swap

With support from

Borrow our New Community Clothes Swap Kit.

Now that CCF has its very own Community Clothes Swap Kit, running a clothes swap (or swish) has never been easier. Our clothes swap kit can be loaned for free by local people, community groups and organisations wanting to address overconsumption and fast fashion or just wanting to run a fun community event. The kit makes running a clothes swap easy and includes all the equipment you need (rails, hangers, mirrors, etc) and guidance on how to run the swap itself. Our kit was purchased with funding from South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Community Chest Fund. Full instructions are available HERE.

What is a Clothes Swap and Who Runs Them?

Clothes swaps are brilliant community-building events that can be good fundraisers. Swaps can be run between friends and family and by community groups, schools, colleges, villages, and workplaces. To date, PTAs, green groups, Cambridge colleges and companies like Abcam and Cambridge University Press have borrowed the kit. Swaps are brilliant community-building events that can be good fundraisers too. Please consider making a donation to CCF if you can.

Why Swap Clothes?

The clothing and textiles industry produces around 10% of global carbon emissions and is the world’s second largest industrial polluter. Clothes swaps are a practical way for local communities to take part in the circular economy/sharing economy at a grassroots level. They provide an easy viable alternative to buying new clothes (perfect for those on a low income), whilst also providing a way for people to recycle clothes easily, reducing the risk of clothing contaminating recycling waste streams.

Want to Run a Clothes Swap Yourself?

We have a variety of resources available on our website to help you get started such as how to plan and run a clothes swap. When you’ve decided you’d like to run one, and you have a date in mind, check the calendar below to see if the kit is available and, if it is, get in touch with us to book it.

We are a registered charity (no: 1127376) and always need funds to continue our work. We’d strongly encourage you to collect donations for during, and at the end of your clothes swap. People are usually very happy to donate and we’d be very grateful. Thank you in advance for your support.