Climbing the attic stairs, retrieving several plastic bins filled with seasonal clothing, going through your closet, and replacing seasonal wears. It’s a ritual that many Eastern Shore women accomplish at least twice a year.
The seasonal exchange of spring/summer clothing for fall/winter clothing is one that’s both exciting and depressing at the same time. Who wants to pack up their favorite light, cute, and summery sundresses and replace them with heavy, thick sweaters – or vice versa? A fun, fabulous, and eco-friendly clothing exchange event will take place in Berlin on Thursday, October 4th. The 2nd annual Swap It Out Clothing Circulation Day provides women with a way to exchange their lightly used clothing for other’s donated clothing. It’s a win – win situation.
Swappable items include quality pieces from your wardrobe that you’re tired of wearing; items that would be consigned or donated to a local charity after use. All items must be freshly laundered, clean, and in very good condition. Men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, shoes, and accessories are accepted at the swap.
How a clothing swap works:
1.De-clutter: Clean out your closet, attic, and drawers to find items to swap.
2.Find: Find a clothing swap event near you.
3.Attend: Bring unwanted, but fabulous, items in great condition to the swap.
4.Relax: Enjoy yourself, mingle, and select items that work for you.
5.Swap: Take home your favorite items for free.
6.Feel Great: Relish your ‘new’ items and help a local charity.
Fill a bag with items that you would regularly donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other charity thrift shops, but this time, take that bag to The Treasure Chest. The Treasure Chest, located on Main Street in Berlin, will be hosting the Swap It Out Clothing Circulation in October. For every item donated, a ticket will be distributed. Those who have donated can then use their tickets to ‘purchase’ items at the swap.
“The first annual Swap It Out Circulation Day was held last year in September at the Globe Theater’s upstairs balcony,” said Debbie Dean-Colley, Event Coordinator.
All items that remain at the Treasure Chest after the swamp as ended will be donated to a local charity.
“Last year, left-over items were donated to the Church Mouse Thrift Store, AGH thrift store and Coastal Hospice Thrift store, and we are hoping to be able to donate to the same charities this year after the event,” said Debbi.
Debbi, a notable personality in the Berlin area and director of Grow Berlin Green, used to own a vegetarian and organic restaurant in Jensen Beach, Florida. At her restaurant, she would have monthly swaps where customers would bring their items to exchange. It was an eco-friendly way to preserve the area’s assets.
“I thought a clothing swap would be a great way to display green initiatives in the Town of Berlin,” she commented.
Gather all of the perfectly good items that you no longer wear, unclutter your closets, swap, and pick up some new items while being eco-friendly. Instead of just throwing away your unwanted clothing, swap them. One woman’s trash may be another woman’s treasure.
Below is a list of items accepted at the clothing swap:
| *Coats | *Dresses | *Skirts | *Suits | *Pants | *Sweaters | *Sneakers |
| *T-shirts | *Jeans | *Tops | *Blouses | *Athletic wear | *Costumes | *Shoes |
| *Hats | *Purses | *Jewelry | *Belts | *Watches | *Boots | *and more… |
Take some time to purge your wardrobe and have fun swapping.
If you’d like to participate:
2nd annual Swap It Out Clothing Circulation Day
Thursday, October 4th, 2012
10 am – 7 pm
The Treasure Chest
20 North Main Street, Berlin, MD
Deadline to register to participate in event is Friday, September 28th.
Email Debbi Dean-Colley at debbivegan@yahoo.com to register
Featured photo from the Facebook event page: 2nd Annual Circulation Clothing Swap
