As a part of my spring closet cleaning, I attended the April 23 clothing swap—sponsored by Bryn Mawr fashion group HepClo (Hepburn’s Closet) and Bryn Mawr College’s Green Ambassadors.
Bryn Mawr College is the home of the Free Box: a cardboard box placed on every dormitory floor specifically designated for hall-members to place unwanted items that are in decent condition. These items range from shirts to pants and shoes. The clothing swap is essentially the Free Box consolidated. It is held every spring semester and keeps me and the other attendees from having to patrol every hall and every Free Box to discover discarded but fashionable items.
Sylvia Merantus HC ’18 was among those at the swap and elaborated on its value.
“The clothing swap means that I don’t have to go out and spend money," said Sylvia. "You’re not expanding your closet, but you still get to have nice clothes.”
This was my third year at the swap, and it once again didn't disappoint. The swap is based on a barter or pay system. Each participant either trades clothes for new items or gives $1 for unlimited choice. For my part, I hoard clothes for days prior to the swap explicitly to take advantage of the bartering option. This swap, I was able to pick up pieces from American Express, Forever 21, and JCrew.
Fellow Mawrter Shakhari Badgett ’17 was also at the swap.
“I love the clothing swap because it gives me a chance to both grab some new items and donate," said Shakhari. "It's beneficial in terms of it gives those who can't afford to buy new clothes a chance to get different things and gives those of us who have too many clothes a chance to give them to others.”