The Power Of Swapping
Lelong Lelong Swap Event
It took me a while to answer the question myself, let alone the people I’ve met along the way - “why did I choose swapping?” In my heart, I knew why- yet it was always difficult for me to articulate my thoughts and put them into words.
Back in 2015, it was a choice that came in naturally, to choose swapping over any other alternative in order to be a part of the second-hand world. In my heart, I knew it was the alternative I felt passionate about, giving me an endless drive to making swapping a lifestyle and a movement.
However, it was only last year that I’ve taken this question seriously after receiving a number of similar questions raised by different platforms. I took this further by talking to our members understanding why they swap and how was swapping adding value to their lives. Though my passion for the sustainability movement will always be the main reason why I started a swapping platform, I always knew that there were many other reasons that would drive people to swap, beyond protecting the environment. So I went back to the drawing board to understand the different drivers to swapping and tried answering these questions myself. That’s when I realised I had more questions than I had answers.
If the goal was to prolong clothes lifespan and lessen textile waste why not develop a buy and sell model or a rental businesses? This way you have a wide range of established businesses that you can use as a guide to build the business. Beyond sustainability, how will it be a solution to someone’s life? How can you make swapping relatable to everyone especially ones who have not heard about the negative impacts of the fashion industry, socially and environmentally?
Well, with the help of all the members that I have had the opportunity to engage with and the help of a good friend of mine who assisted me in dissecting the different drivers towards the intentions of swapping even if the challenges are mountainous. Here are the 4 most common answers:
1. Swapping Creates Engagement
I think we are now living in an era whereby the “transactional consumerism” movement is ending. Everyone I know is looking for more; more than an exchange of products/ services for money. We’re now looking to be a part of something we value. We love to feel involved in the process and being able to take ownership in the fact that we have been part of growing a movement or an enterprise. We want to know that when we spend our money it goes beyond profits. We are looking for more ENGAGEMENT and this is where swapping provides you an added value.
From the moment you decide to swap it creates engagement to you and your clothes. Discovering your purchases, the hidden gems that you have, the impulse buying and reminiscing the stories of your clothes. Once you have selected the items you want to swap you have established a connection again with your clothes and the desire for it to have a second home. Then, when you see your clothes get swapped it creates an engagement to the person who is swapping it because it always sparks a conversation. Either because you share the same style, or you simply just want to share the story of that item to the next owner or to bid your final goodbye to your clothes. Also, ladies in the shop are so comfortable to compliment each other when they are trying clothes and it becomes easy to ask for advice from the other swappers in the store. Swapping becomes a safe space for them to seek and give advice to help each other make smarter decisions. Some of these engagements lead to collaboration and forge friendships along the way.
Comments from our Instagram account
2. Swapping Empowers You
We all know that fashion is considered as the most powerful industry we use to express ourselves and illustrates where we stand in society. There are countless initiatives in which we use fashion as a platform to express the change we would like to see in society. However, since sustainability has become the main issue in fashion, most people shy away to use this platform as a means of self-expression and we digress to wearing basic putting the joy of dressing up for granted.
When we got this message from one of our swappers, it refuelled our drive on why we started this in the first place. Knowing how much power we give to every swapper to never lose the FUN in dressing up, gives us that extra energy to continue doing what we are doing.
Google Review from Melody who has witnessed how we have evolved throughout the years
We also had a couple of swappers who work or volunteer for non-profit organizations who share their points to the less privileged individuals. Like this Chinese New Year one of our members brought a couple of individuals who have no means to get new outfits for the festive season and walked away with “new-to-them clothes” with big smiles on their faces. These kinds of stories and acts deeply warm our hearts. We love to see how our members use their resources to help empower other people and we are happy that swapping is used to empower others.
Lastly, during the Siblings Who Swapped Vlog, Therena shared with us how swaps have empowered her to think beyond herself, something she has never done in a conventional shop. She considers now whether the item can be used by her sister, mom or even friends. She said she has more mind space to consider others through swapping.
The power of swapping puts you in a position to express yourself through what you wear without stressing the negative implications of that choice since you are using what have been produced, prolonging the lifespan of the item and instead of throwing them you are using it.
3. Swapping Rekindles Your Fashion Love Affair
When I was starting to advocate sustainable fashion, I heard a couple of my friends talking about how challenging it is to own fashionable clothes that are responsible/sustainable. If you want to be sustainably fashionable, we have to settle with basics, no prints, and simple cuts. I felt the same way when I transitioned from loud to having my own uniform. But now I feel the joy of having a capsule wardrobe - personally, it works for me.
Most members now use The Fashion Pulpit as an extension of their wardrobe where they can swap anytime the clothes that they no longer feel like wearing again. They would come to swap a certain piece for an occasion and re-swap it after the event. It became easier for them to explore different styles—often they would share when they check out in the counter they will never buy a certain piece but because they are swapping it they don’t mind trying it and if it doesn’t work they can re-swap it. Some can now change their style as often as they want. This brings them to a state where they can again explore styles and never be afraid to try. Swapping rekindles the love affair in fashion without a big investment from their wallet and to the planet.
Fashion is about inspiration and aspiration. You don’t have to be less fashionable to be responsible.
WhatsApp message from Mary one of our valued members
4. Swapping Makes You Forget Labels
Four years ago when we had the first Earth Fest swap event, there was a particular dress that I was hesitant to accept because I thought it won't be swapped. It was a traditional Malay dress but with contemporary cutting and style and on the event day it was a Chinese lady who swapped it and I asked about her interesting choice. She mentioned she loves the fit and she can accessories it to make it more trendy and functional work wear. From that experience, it made me realise that fashion should be that way without labels and bias.
Have you noticed when you walk into a specific shop you will notice what segment in the market they are trying to cater to and if you need specific item you know which shop to go to. Which is amazing because it makes our life easier, but with swapping it creates a whole new world where you come in expecting to find anything that you won’t expect. We have had sharing comments from members who enjoy browsing racks after racks of clothes because it gives them the joy of hunting and experimenting to see if that piece will work for them.
Swapping transcends beyond your skin colour, culture and the preconceived notions about what a specific brand is or fashion in general. When you swap you drop all of those and it becomes just you and the clothes.
The power of swapping creates engagement to people to make an impact and forge a meaningful life,
If you are unsure or feeling overwhelmed on how you can embrace or start a more sustainable lifestyle, perhaps you can start from your wardrobe. You’ll create and see magic and that’s the POWER OF SWAPPING!
Share with us on what the power of swapping is to you.
Love,
Raye Padit
Founder