Swap til you Drop..
I noticed Marie’s fab post on how she enjoys clothes swapping with her friends, something that has long been a perk of female friendships. Swapping clothes with strangers however, is something that has emerged as a trend since the recession took hold of our economy and our wardrobes! Not content to let dwindling finances spoil their style, a number of Irish women have cleverly used the downturn as a chance to grow clothes swapping into thriving businesses, with one of the most successful being ‘Swop Shop’ in Dublin’s Temple Bar.
Swopshop recently celebrated its first anniversary and owner Adele tells me business is booming! Swopshop is Dublin’s first and only dedicated fashion exchange boutique where clothes, shoes and accessories can be donated in exchange for barter points that are returned for other garments in store, or built up as shopping credit for another day! Genius! According to Adele, so many women shopped their way through the boom that she receives many clothes complete with the tags on – brand new pieces that never made it off the hanger. Indeed we can all relate to this – how many of us have, and possibly still buy things on impulse only to regret it later, or find that something we were determined to purchase really doesn’t suit us at home in front of our own mirror. One woman’s trash really is another woman’s treasure. Swopshop has capitalised on a nation of impulse shoppers and fickle fashionistas who tire easily of their bulging wardrobes, and with the current climate forcing many to tighten their statement belts, recycling your closet is a great way of saving money while still updating your look.
To celebrate their first year in business Swop Shop have just launched their second Spring Summer Collection, inspired by the Alice in Wonderland fantasy theme. Swop Shop is not just a jumble of unwanted rubbish, the clothes are all in great condition, new or barely worn and Adele doesn’t accept Penneys or Dunnes. I think you’ll agree that these images from the shoot are simply stunning and if you haven’t had a chance yet to head to Temple Bar’s style haven then now is the chance to add to your wardrobe for the warmer days ahead.
Check out www.swopshop.ie for more information.
Your Comments
- Posted by Aisling on 8 March 2010 at 12:11...
- Great info! I know what I'm checking out next time I'm in Temple Bar lol
- Posted by Liz on 8 March 2010 at 12:21...
- LOVE swap shops!!!!
- Posted by SWOPSHOP on 8 March 2010 at 15:28...
- Thanks Niamh, for the really informative piece and love your blog and Stylebible in general! Had been meaning to join for some time, and have just done! Thanks to Aisling and Liz too for the comments, and just to let you know you can join us too at www.facebook.com/swopshop for a more interactive forum and fab offers! :)
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