From vintage to designer wear, you can update your entire wardrobe for just $10 while helping the environment at an event in Wollongong this weekend.
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The sixth annual The Gong's Great Clothes Swap is on this Saturday, October 12 at The Central, Innovation Campus.
Organiser Shane Moon said the event had grown from humble lounge room beginnings to seeing more than 10,000 items of clothing go through the swap last year.
"We had hundreds of people coming through the door last year," she said.
Participants pay $10, and can drop off their items to be swapped prior to the event, or drop them off on the day.
Besides the benefits of getting a bunch of new additions to your wardrobe for a small sum of money, Ms Moon also enjoys the community aspect of people getting together and mingling over clothes.
Ms Moon said the event could also help the environment, as 'fast fashion' meant large amounts of textiles ended up in landfill each year.
"The most sustainable clothes that you own is what's already in your wardrobe - or in this case, somebody else's wardrobe," Ms Moon said.
"It's amazing how many items that come through still with tags on them. People have bought them and never worn them."
Opening times are pre-drop swappers at 12pm, and on the day swappers from 1pm.
There are clothing limits of 30 items for pre-drop swappers and 20 for on the day swappers.
"Everything is size ordered, so you get to look around, and there's accessories," Ms Moon said.
"There is a rule that you need something to swap (to take part). So if you've got five items of clothes you can swap five items of clothes.
"And if you pre-drop, you can get early access as encouragement, because it's great to have clothes there when we open the doors.
"We've had a number of wedding dresses, and a bunch of retro clothing.
"One year's pick were these red knee-high sparkle boots, like the show Kinky Boots.
"We've had a couple of really nice men's suits that have come through too."
Leftover clothing will be donated to Lifeline South Coast.
Organisers are also looking for volunteers to assist on the day.
For more details on the event, visit the www.facebook.com/groups/gongclothesswap/ website.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
