Clothes swap alternative to ‘fast fashion’

Dunedin student Irris Etches, 20, looks at clothing at the Super Swap Saturday event, part of...
Dunedin student Irris Etches, 20, looks at clothing at the Super Swap Saturday event, part of Sustainability Week, at the University of Otago. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON
Students on a budget now have had a "wardrobe refresh" after embracing a clothing swap at the weekend.

The University of Otago’s Sustainability Office Te Oraka collaborated with Students for Environmental Action (Sea) to run the Super Swap Saturday event, as part of the organisation’s Sustainability Week.

The event gave students the chance to swap old clothing items with others to promote slow fashion.

Sea ran a number of events for Sustainability Week all focused on ways for students to reduce waste and promote sustainable habits.

Te Oraka student leader Phoebe Wood said the event went really well and had been steadily attended throughout the day.

"I feel like it’s just cool for students, you know, we’re all on a budget, so it’s beneficial in terms of a free new wardrobe refresh," she said.

"It’s encouraging people to be more mindful with their clothes, so swapping them out instead of going and buying something new.

"It’s encouraging reuse in that sense."

Sea co-president Zoe Cameron said the collaboration was one of their most successful sustainability events.

"It’s just creating those habits to stay away from fast fashion.

"Obviously, sometimes it’s harder for students to shop sustainably as it’s sometimes more expensive, but things like this are good for students to be able to participate in slow fashion."

ani.ngawhika@odt.co.nz