By Sabine Klier
Why buy new when you can get clothes for free. Berlin has a new trend: clothes swap parties. Visitors bring their old clothes and can exchange them for other second-hand items.
“It’s not about making money, it’s about protecting resources,” says Tamina Hipp (38) from the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND). “Each piece of clothing that is produced consumes an incredible amount of energy.”
On Saturday, together with her colleague Paula Zinsmeister (33), she organized a clothes swap party at the VHS Steglitz-Zehlendorf. The rush was great: 114 visitors took part.
The organizers Tamina Hipp (38) and Paula Zinsmeister (33) Photo: Olaf Selchow
According to a Greenpeace study, there are 2 billion unworn items of clothing in Germany’s wardrobes. According to this, women own an average of 118 items of clothing, significantly more than men (73 items). 72 percent of those surveyed discard clothing because it no longer fits. Every fifth item of clothing is practically never worn.
Vera (58) was happy about a nice hat and sweater, exchanged them for hiking boots and trousers Photo: Olaf Selchow
Social worker Vera (58) from Steglitz feels the same way. “It’s a reason to clean up. My closet sometimes overflows,” she reveals. To the clothes swap party, she immediately brought a large travel bag full of bad purchases or things that she was tired of.
Pensioner Simone Bading (57) from Lichtenrade came with a suitcase: “I now live according to the principle that if I get something new, something old has to go. I haven’t worn anything in a year, as well.”
Vera (58) was happy about a nice hat and sweater, exchanged them for hiking boots and trousers Photo: Olaf Selchow
Mostly women came to the event. But it wasn’t just about swapping. “It’s just fun to see what people bring and who takes what from my things,” says Vera. This way, the clothes don’t end up in the garbage, but get a second life.
By the way: Clothing that has not found a new lover is donated.
New dates will be published on the “Clothing Swap Parties in Berlin” Facebook page.