Clothes Swap
I enjoy perusing the posters and promo flyers that litter the walls and tables in some of the bars in town. Most usually promote eclectic music nights and upcoming festivals, but last week I noticed a small flyer for a Dress Swap, intrigued I picked one up. Come along swap a dress and ‘enjoy homeware, vintage clothes, jewellery and cake’ said the poster. Wait…cake? Sold.

Made With Love is an enterprising partnership of friends Rachel Suttle and Emma Paris. Based in the West End of Glasgow, Finnieston to be precise, they hold their swap days at Lebowskis bar on Argyle Street. Visitors are encouraged to bring along an unwanted item of clothing donate £2.50 and choose something else to wear from the rack- and it’s not just dresses. A chic assortment of shirts, vintage-look shoes and an old fashioned trunk of tops, skirts and accessories lays open for a good rummage. Admittedly the girls are keen to snaffle some of the finer items that turn up in the swap for themselves, but with a good selection of styles and sizes it makes for an unusual and affordable way to purchase a new outfit.

Another clothes rail stands to one side and offers a range of formal gowns and prom dresses priced out with the swap cost- according to Rachel the changing room set up in the back means these stand a better chance of finding a new home as opposed to listing them online. Neatly spread out across a shelf under the window you’ll find a large collection of jewellery from local designer Jan Rooney; beads, bracelets and brooches are displayed alongside antique treasures and pendants. China teacups filled with sweets and funky little candles moulded into various shapes make for quirky and curious gifts; I hadn’t checked the smell but the Cadbury’s Crème Egg candle looked absolutely delicious.
And if you find rooting through rails and trying on clothes an exhausting business, why not pull up a bar stool and enjoy a cup of tea accompanied by a homemade fairy cake?

What’s most appealing about this event was not just the cost- but the genuine appreciation for each purchase by packing the clothes in a cute paper bag or wrapping the smaller items with a bow- look out for Made With Love and join in on the swap.

For more information: www.facebook.com/madewithlovefinnieston
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This article was published in Scotcampus (June 2010)
www.scotcampus.com