Swap it

December 1, 2010 - 9:04 PM by

Last night was swap night. And I now have gray suede slides, a boiled wool sweater coat of my sister’s that I’ve hankering after for a long time (although she probably would have given it to me anyway), a linen hat and a swingy black and gray skirt. All free, all mine just for showing up with some bags of my own castoffs.

Clothing swap nights are distinctively female, definitely friendly and defiantly clothing-related. You can bring accessories, but this is not book club. It’s for people who really enjoy clothing, have more than a few pieces that they’ve never worn and never will wear, but aren’t obsessing over said pieces because they’ve got plenty of other items in their closet. It’s not for getting rid of those bags of giveaway clothing in your front closet or machsan (Hebrew for storeroom, our version of the basement), that stuff you just bring to your favorite charity (although you do bring the leftovers from a swap to a charity). It’s for the good pieces that just didn’t work for you, but may just work for someone else.

And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as having someone else try on what was once yours and seeing how great they look in it. It becomes a female cheering session, in which everyone’s able to chime in with their opinion, because it’s all about finding something that looks good. And if it doesn’t work, no harm done. No salesperson who won’t keep her mouth shut, no price tag over which you have to obsess.

I’m not claiming the swap as an Israeli invention, as witnessed by the current craze in the States, but if you hit an Israeli clothing swap, you will come away with a good load of Israeli-designed clothing, always a plus. Sure, there’s some Banana Republic, a little J. Crew, a few pieces from the Gap and Marks and Spencer, from our Brit friends. But by and large, it’s Israeli fashion, making the swap more current and even somewhat vintage.

Go, raid your closet and organize a swap. Your winter wardrobe will thank you.

Tags: , • Category: design, Entertainment, Life 

Comments

One Comment on Swap it

  1. Jody Blum on Fri, Dec 3rd 2010 12:27 AM

    2. I’m sorry I didn’t know about it. If there’s another one happening in Southern Jerusalem, please put me on the email list!!! Glad it was such a success Jessica!

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