Despite the several pop-up clothes swapping events sporadically happening around Malta in recent years, the concept is still an alien one for a considerable chunk of the population. At its most basic level, it involves raiding your wardrobe for largely unused (and good quality) garments prior to the event and then swapping them for other items of clothing put forward by other participants.
Although most Maltese mums might balk at the thought of their children wearing previously owned clothes (out of fear of germs rather than a brash display of elitism), clothes swapping is not only a great way to socialise and meet interesting new people but it ensures a new life to garments which do not deserve to be disposed of.
Generally a female-oriented event, one clothes swap happening this weekend is also inviting men to join in on the fun. The Vogue Xchange Clothes Swap, now in its 5th edition, works by dropping off your clothes at predestined drop-off points in either Floriana, Bormla and Victoria, Gozo in exchange for tokens which can then be redeemed during the clothes swap weekend.
This event is taking place over two days; Saturday 23rd November between 10.30am and 2.30pm and Sunday 24th November between 2.30pm and 5.30pm at the 3 Cities Auberge in Bormla. All proceeds from the swap will go to Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) a “non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to protecting and campaigning for Malta and Gozo’s environmental and cultural heritage, and for a socially inclusive and sustainable quality of life.”
If the merging of a fashion revolution and environmental awareness sounds like the perfect autumn weekend plan, then give your closet a good raid this week, settle on which items you’d like to swap and get ready to adopt a whole new wardrobe.