Awhile back I had the pleasure of attending one of the most fun fashion events I've ever been to. Yes people, they call it a clothing swap and if you've never been to one I'm here to tell you, "Go, GO NOW!!!" A clothing swap is exactly
what it sounds like. It’s an event that
provides a venue for individuals to bring gently used, cast off items from
their closet in order to trade for the misfits of others. What I’m getting at here is it’s an
opportunity to not only clean out your closet, but replace the sad little holes
left behind FOR FREE!!!
Admittedly, this last swap was not my first
rodeo. Sioux Falls has been savvy enough
to host several of these types of functions.
It’s at this time I would like to sincerely thank the individual who continues
to organize forward thinking events, like the swap, for our community. On behalf of all self-proclaimed fashionistas
I would like to state, “Thank you Ms. Jessica for continually attempting to put
our little city on the map of Midwestern Style.
Your efforts have not only made a huge impression on my wardrobe, but
also introduced me to other like-minded individuals who dress for art, rather
than purpose.” If you find yourself
reading this and wonder, “Who the heck is this Jessica chic? What can she do for me?” Well, I’m here to tell you the answer is to check
out her Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ELOFSON.
Again I'll state, “Go, GO NOW!” Considering how much of my own wardrobe has
come from her shop, one can bet after purchasing from Elofson they’ll be looking
like me in no time. Wait, that statement
may not be the best endorsement.
Alright, I’m done with the shameless
promoting. Returning to the topic at
hand, I had a delightful time at the clothing swap. How could I not? I received free clothing in return for the
crap I didn’t want in my closet! Let’s
focus on that last statement for a moment.
Admittedly, each time I’ve attended a clothing swap I’ve felt this
subtle nag of guilt in the back of my head.
I worry, “Other people have donated all this great stuff and I’ve brought a hodge-podge of shit that even I decided was too weird for
me to wear.” However, I’m continually
shocked at how diverse both the clothing and the people at these swaps are. There seems to be a fit for every fish out of
water.
I was delighted to see several of my items
get picked up by other individuals. In
fact, one of these pieces was an over the top, 80’s windbreaker jacket that I
wore on this blog a couple of years ago while snapping glamour shots with my
parents, “fabulous,” Chihuahua. Upon
bringing this piece to the swap I thought, “Who the hell else would wear
something so garish? I really shouldn’t
be bringing this.” I was thrilled to
realize there are other weirdos in town just like me and by the looks of them I must be making some correct fashion choices. Suddenly I was like, “Do I really want to get
rid of that jacket?”
At the end of the night my friends and I
gathered to admire all of our found treasures.
My favorite scores of the evening
included a fantastic pair of vintage, leopard print, Donald Pliner mules and the vintage
Mickey Mouse sweatshirt I'm wearing in the above photographs. This shirt actually reminds me of another close friend of mine that
has one similar to it. I saw it and immediately
thought, “I always liked her shirt.”
Thinking of this now I can’t help but marvel at the irony of acquiring
such a uniquely coveted item at a clothing swap.
Maybe my long distance friend was hiding among the masses of women
trading each other for treasures.
Furthermore, maybe my couture cohort who organized the whole event knew this was
the only place I could find such a piece.
Lastly, upon leaving the swap my companions and I couldn’t help but laugh
at the fact that one of them had taken a rather strange western style shirt
without realizing it had been one of the items I had originally donated. I guess my overall point here is that fashion
not only keeps me entertained, it keeps me connected. As unique as I like to consider myself, we’re
all just sharing one big closet.
-r.
Sweatshirt: Vintage (Aquired at the clothing swap)
Jeans: Guess
Purse: Vintage
(Etsy)
Ring: (Purchased
at a craft fair)
Sunglasses: Prada
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