IU students participated in a sustainable swap shop just a little more than two weeks before Earth Day. Eclaras provided an outdoor space for the Depop Student Ambassadors to organize the clothing exchange Sunday.
Students brought clothing items they no longer wear to trade with items brought by others. There were no rules except to bring something to trade.
The Depop ambassadors, senior Riah Washington and sophomore Hannah Shepherd, laid out quilts provided by Eclaras on the sidewalk in front of the store. Each item brought to the trade was folded and placed on the quilts for other shoppers to choose from. For every participant who made a trade, Depop gave them a free branded tote bag.
The ambassadors connected with Eclaras after Shepherd visited the store with her grandmother. About a week later, Shepherd messaged Eclaras on Instagram asking if the store would want to collaborate for a swap shop.
Washington said many stores weren’t familiar with swap shops when she reached out to them last year, but Eclaras was immediately on board with the idea and seemed to know more about the concept.
“I think this is really cool that we're able to get people to give out their clothes and connect with each other,” Washington said.
A swap shop is about giving away clothes, not in exchange for money but for a new piece for one’s own wardrobe, Washington said. Shepherd defined a swap shop similarly and explained how it is different from a normal clothing donation.
“I think a lot of people have pieces that they don't think they can sell, but they also just don't want to give away to potentially be thrown away by like Goodwill or something,” Shepherd said. “So, this kind of gives them the opportunity to rehome them instead of just throwing them away, and then also get something in return.”
Shepherd also brought items to the exchange. She bought many of the items many years ago, but said they are no longer her style.
“I know they’re still decent quality and they’re not really falling apart, so I just kind of figured maybe someone else would want them and will get use out of them,” Shepherd said. “Then, I’m taking items I would get use of that people aren’t anymore.”
Sophomore Lilah Streiff is a seller with Bring Your Own Business at IU. Streiff sells jewelry at BYOB, and she recently started selling clothes as well. Eclaras sponsors BYOB and partners with the club for events. Streiff said the swap shop was promoted by the club, which is why she decided to participate.
“At my high school, they used to do a clothing swap every Earth Day, and I’ve definitely been missing it,” Streiff said.
Streiff exchanged many clothing items of different styles. A clothing swap is not only a way to declutter a closet, but it guarantees that garments are kept in circulation for longer instead of the shortened lifespan that many donated clothes have. She had a few prom dresses and work pants that didn’t fit her. She also brought clothes she hadn’t been able to sell.
“I wanted to give these clothes a second chance at having a home,” Streiff said.
The Depop ambassadors plan to collaborate with student organization Fashion Forward at IU on April 22 for an Earth Day swap shop.
CORRECTION: This article was updated to include the correct spelling of Lilah Streiff's name.
