What are your plans for the weekend? Not all that busy? Well I’ve just found out about something that I’d love you to get involved with. A series of special events is taking place in and around London this weekend and, if you’re anything like me, I think you’d love to go to some (or all!) of it. Yes, if you’re a thrifty-minded soul with a love of fashion (and all things earth-friendy) I know you’re going to love this…
So, what on earth am I talking about? Well, this weekend the social change charity Hubbub are teaming up with the fabulous gang at Rags Revival to host a series of re-fashion events. Any idea what that means? I had no clue until I started looking into it; the re-fashion events are a social experiment to encourage and help people extend the life of their clothes, through a series of exciting workshops and fun clothes-swapping events. The events will take place across the weekends of 23rd and 24th January as well as the 30th and 31st January 2016 and, best of all, the experiment is a success and enough people head to these fun activities, the re-fashion events will be rolled out nationally.
The fact that 1/3 of our wardrobes remain unworn is one of those ‘urban myths’ yet Hubbub has confirmed that it’s true! According to new research from Hubbub the underused clothing lurking in our wardrobes is worth £30billion, and that’s a figure that has really shocked this thrifty gal! I admit, I too have a few things in my wardrobe that I never wear so why am I hanging on to them when someone else could be enjoying them? I honestly don’t know! A clothes-swapping event would be ideal for having a clear out and getting some new outfits for the new year without exchanging cash. That’s especially brilliant considering that payday still feels far away!
There are lots of clothes-swapping (swishing, shwopping, whatever you want to call it!) events going on this weekend in Enfield, Barnet, Archway, Islington, Camden and Waltham Forest, so check out the full list of locations on the Hubbub website. Entrance is free, you can take along up to ten items of clothing or accessories and in return you will receive tokens to ‘spend’ on other clothes and can enjoy a free shopping trip! Have a good rummage to find some new gems to add to your wardrobe. The Rags Revival people will be on hand to help, whether you bring one item or a whole bagful, and they have changing screens and mirrors so that you go home with something that fits you, suits you and that you’ll actually wear!
But it’s not just about clearing out and getting some new bits ‘n’ pieces. I also found out that by using our clothes for just 9 months longer, each item’s carbon, waste and water footprint is reduced by as much as 20-30% according to WRAP. So how can we carry on wearing something we no longer like or is damaged? The answer is upcycling! And you’ll be pleased to know that the Hubbub workshops I mentioned earlier are all about repairing, re-fashioning and recycling your existing wardrobe. Yes you can be fashionable whilst remaining an ethical consumer and these workshops will show you how!
Gavin Ellis, the founder of the UK’s leaving behaviour change charity Hubbub, says that “January is the perfect time to learn new skills, to reorganise your wardrobe and fix up those neglected clothes in need of a little TLC. These workshops offer a valuable opportunity to learn new skills to customise and update what you have and re-work your wardrobe for 2016.” With workshops on dying fabric, upcycling knitwear, alterations, repairing denim and mending and darning, there’s sure to be a skills workshop that you can learn from. Have a look at the full list of workshops and go along to learn a new skill and meet some lovely people at the same time!
So what do you think? Will you make it along to one (or more!) of these fun re-fashion workshops over the coming weekends? Do you like the idea of a bit of free shopping at a Rags Revival clothing swapping party this month? Let me know if you’re going to try out something new to help save both money and waste! Leave me a comment below letting me know what workshops or events you’re going to and I’d love to see your thrifty upcycling projects so please tag me in your Instagram photos @Cassiefairy.
This article is a sponsored collaboration. The pink links in the content indicate a sponsored link or information source. The blog post reflects my own experience and the sponsor hasn’t had any control over my content 🙂
3 responses
Awesome! Hope you have an amazing time! X
This is a great idea – I’ve just signed up for the next Camden one 🙂