Swop2shop: Guilt Free Shopping in a Credit Crunch Market

Let’s admit it; no matter how bad the credit crunch gets or how dark green we are, every girl likes to treat herself to new clothes from time to time.
This year I made a resolution. If I had to buy new clothes I would only buy fairtrade and organic or recycled. But the majority of my clothing purchases would be second hand from places like eBay or our local exchange shop.
It’s great to support fairtrade and ethical business, but my belief is that second hand consumerism is greenest of all; even if that item were made in a sweat shop from pesticide-laden cotton, or manmade fibres obtained from non-renewable resources, the damage has already been done.
Swop2shop
Swop2shop is a new clothes swapping website. If you’re unable to get along to a local swishing event, or, like me, all your friends are different clothes sizes to you, then online swapping is a great way to get a new wardrobe from the comfort of your home.
Swop2shop has a range of clothing from the high Street to top designers and clothes are traded for points, not pounds.
Declutter
There is the opportunity to you to declutter your own wardrobe and list your items on the site. In exchange you will get points which you can ‘spend’ on other yummy items listed on the site.
There are no listing fees, no auctions, no cash – just a great way to revamp your wardrobe whilst doing your bit for the planet. In addition, 10% of your membership fee is donated to charity; so it’s a real feel-good mission.
Zero waste gifting
You can even buy gift vouchers for people to use on the site. What a great idea for a present for the eco girl who has everything!
What about you? Have you ever used a clothes swapping site or been to a swishing event? How did you get on?
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I know this article is primarily about shopping, but I’ve noticed another way to shop “guilt-free” is to use reusable bags anywhere you go. Whether it’s grocery shopping, clothes shopping, or anything in between, reusable bags definitely make a difference. I used to feel… “guilty” just at the thought of tearing through all those plastic bags every week I went grocery shopping, and now I don’t have to deal with that!
@Travis: Good point! We haven’t taken a plastic carrier bag for a year now and I will never take one again. When I see someone taking a carrier for just one item, that *my* soapbox moment LOL!
There are plenty of ways to enjoy shopping whilst keeping ethics in mind (thank goodness!)