King’s Climate & Sustainability Month: Sustainable Fashion Clothes Swap

King’s Climate & Sustainability Month

Across the world, the climate emergency is increasingly becoming a pressing issue. At King’s, the climate crisis is a key concern, and there is a large effort across our University to make an impact.

February is King’s Climate & Sustainability Month, which aims to inspire and raise awareness of how King’s is doing its part and how you can do yours. Drawing on our community spirit, King's has hosted a wide range of events open to all, including a sustainable fashion clothes swap.

Attending the Clothes Swap

Of the many offerings for Climate & Sustainability Month, the Sustainable Fashion Clothes Swap was the most intriguing to me. Like many others, I have a lot of clothes - but I certainly don't wear them all. Also, like many others, I’m fairly aware of the damage that overproduction and overconsumption of fashion is doing to our planet. With these two thoughts in mind, I headed to Strand Campus.

To swap, I brought a green floral-print maxi dress. I genuinely like the dress but I don’t wear it enough. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit me so well, which isn’t an uncommon experience with clothes we buy online. However, it does make for a good quality item to swap! After all, it's important to bring something you would be happy to receive. 

When I arrived, the organisers gave me a ticket in exchange for my dress. They were super kind and let me get two items since there was a lot to go around. There were so many different types of clothes, like dresses, going-out tops, coats, jeans, workout clothes, and even shoes. I was aiming to get some more winter clothes, which I did in the form of a beautiful frilly maxi skirt. But I was also enticed by a lacy crop top, which I caved and just let myself get.

Aside from the clothes swap, there were two additional fun sustainable activities. One was ‘U shirt’ making. Where old items could be rejuvenated with printed designs. I had a little nose and watched this amazing jacket be designed and printed . Pretty cool if you ask me! The other activity was turning old t-shirts into tote bags, no sewing required, just scissors. It was a fairly simple process of cutting and tying, resulting in a handmade tasseled tote bag.

Lessons and Reflections

The experience of the clothes swap led me to think more about the impact of clothing on the planet. We often think of flying as a major source of carbon emissions - and, of course, this is true - but the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. More than international flights and shipping combined.

It goes without saying that there is a need for clothing, but what is being manufactured far exceeds need. This results in 92 million tons of textile waste ending up in landfills worldwide each year. Swapping instead of shopping is a great way to reduce waste and as a movement, it could show brands that consumers care about the environment.

Overall, it’s great to see my university taking a strong stand against the climate crisis. And to see my fellow students take part.