I was recently in Italy, which is known worldwide as the source of high end quality clothing. Guccio Gucci and Mario Prada got their start there over a 100 years ago, and Florence, Rome and Milan produce quality (and expensive) clothes to this day.
I was talking to a few locals about clothes and whether clothing swaps are common there. They said, yes, and it’s done frequently, mostly among extended family member. Clothes are generally passed down as kids grow and there is some swapping among adults as well. They expressed the idea that over-buying clothing is wasteful. And that, while they are proud of their famous brands, they usually stick with them only as part of a smaller wardrobe. And it seems that thrift stores are common too.
I found it interesting, but not surprising, that Italians, who are known for quality and fashionable clothing, can’t get away from the allure of cheap, trendy, and short-term clothes. Pretty much like here in the US and most of the rest of the world. And, of course, like the rest us, they do buy cheaper things online from places like H&M and SHEIN. And it seems that the trend to donate clothes to charities or swap them among family members is growing there as well. And they no doubt suffer from the increasing prices of imported and domestic clothing, like the rest of us. Add then there's the instinct to reduce clutter and we see that the desire to swap clothing is pretty much universal.
So, my take-away from all this is that it’s time for the world to start swapping and donating more unused clothes. Begin with your family but then head to the Ladies Fashion Swap & Sip, and see what you’ll find. And, did I mention, it’s for free?