As someone with a worryingly short attention span, I find myself growing bored of my wardrobe and craving a complete style reinvention almost daily. However, in an era when environmental concerns have become increasingly urgent, gone are the days of mindless consumption and online shopping just to feel something – a “something” that has faded by the time your package arrives. Clothing swaps are a remedy to this ennui by satisfying your desire for novelty, while in turn reducing textile waste.

“Even though half of my uni wardrobe has only seen the light of day about once, parting with an item I don’t wear often still felt like the loss of a loved one”

Cambridge is home to many clothing swaps and my college’s other claim to fame, apart from housing 2.9 million bricks, is that it was among those that hosted this initiative. Unfortunately, by the third round of the bizarre “moving in and out every eight weeks” phenomenon, I had learnt to economise my wardrobe into two, instead of three, bursting suitcases. When it came to finding clothes to swap, I found that the only evidence of my objectively horrific 13-year-old Topshop phase was at home. Even though half of my uni wardrobe has only seen the light of day about once, parting with an item I don’t wear often still felt like the loss of a loved one.

Armed with an ill-fitting Brandy Melville tank top, I rocked up to the Robinson College clothing swap. Hiding among the Cambridge merch (my personal fave being a “born to go to Cambridge” baby tee) were gems from Jaded London and Urban Outfitters. However, what caught my attention was a garishly yellow T-shirt with the slogan “allergic club” and, as a nut allergy sufferer (AKA the weakest link of society), I immediately became attached to it. Now, just to preface, this item will either be worn ironically or as a sleeping shirt (I refused to leave empty-handed!). Upon reflection, a T-shirt that makes me laugh is far more valuable than anything Brandy Melville has produced. How could I not be satisfied with my swap?

“Clothing swaps keep clothes in constant circulation, not on the basis of making profit, but in that of forging a community mindset”

Clothing swaps prove that slow fashion, despite being hijacked by the incessant Depop girly, does not have to be inaccessible nor expensive. They keep clothes in constant circulation, not on the basis of making profit, but in that of forging a community mindset. There was no limit on what you could take, but any respectable person would know not to go on a rampant spree if they have only provided a singular top. This honour system is so unfamiliar to what secondhand fashion has become: individuals raiding charity shops as a form of “entrepreneurship”. I can’t fault them, knowing the pain of sifting through racks of grandma attire in hope of coming across a Y2K gem; but it feels like the motivation of profit means they have also succumbed to overconsumption that is not negated just because the items are pre-loved.

The only limitation to the clothing swap’s inclusivity would be the range of sizes, but with a wider participation this will be easily solved. Cambridge has a ridiculous amount of events that require outfits that would never be worn outside of the bubble, so opting to find your formal wear in a swap is only logical. If you have been bankrupted by daily indulgences/survival mechanisms throughout exam term and are petrified at the thought of reusing your Year 11 prom dress at a May Ball, keep an eye out for clothing swaps. You will not be disappointed!