Swishing and clothes swaps

Dresses hanging on clothes hangers on a rail in a shop.

Swishing and clothes swaps

Swap your unwanted clothes and items for something that catches your eye.

Swap Shops

Swap shops are fun community events for the public to bring along household items that they no longer need and take home something that catches their eye for free.

Swap shops demonstrate that one person’s junk is another person’s treasure, promoting reuse of resources among the community.

During the times of the swap shop people should be able to bring along unwanted items and then take something away. People who haven’t been able to bring anything should not be excluded from taking something away.

Swishing

A swishing party is a great way to update your wardrobe; it's fun and won't cost you a penny. You just swap your unwanted clothes with other people!

It's really easy to organise your own swishing party and it can be as big or small as you want, a small group of friends or your whole workplace! Community groups can also hold clothes swaps.

See our Swishing Party information sheet for ideas and details to help you run your own event.

What items can I swap?

Any duplicate items or unwanted items that are in good condition. Household goods such as small furniture, toys, clean clothes, bric-a-brac, sports equipment, books, tools, bicycles and musical instruments. A display board will be available for photos of larger items.

What items can’t I swap?

Faulty items, dirty clothing, underwear, electrical equipment, business waste, animals, illegal items, hazardous or dangerous items.

Running your own Swap Shop

Why not try running a Swap Shop event with your friends, community group or school. Swap Shops are the perfect opportunity for people to get rid of things they don’t want and pick up something useful. This information sheet offers tips on how to run your own Swap Shop, it is by no means a definitive list and you may like to try out your own ideas. See our Swap Shop information sheet for ideas and details.

Duckworth Trust has regular Swap Shops for people to take along unwanted clothing.