Name: Make and Mingle - Clothes Swish
Start: 2026-03-23T19:00:00+00:00
Location: 22 Dunottar Avenue, Stockton-on-Tees

There is no charge for this evening, but please sign up so we know how people are coming.
We have planned a Clothes Swish, an eco stall and a little bit of well-being with a very short talk from a guest speaker (still to be confirmed)
You might ask - What is a clothes swish? Well, it's a way to refresh your wardrobe without spending a penny.
How it works:
Bring good quality clothes and accessories you no longer want, swap them for tokens and then 'spend' those tokens on items you love.
Items accepted:
Clean and wearable women's and men's clothes on coat hangers
Clean and undamaged shoes and accessories like hats, scarves and gloves
Please don't bring the following:
Damaged clothes, with holes or stains
Jewellery
Underwear, bath towels, bedding
Swimwear
Stockings, tights and leggings
Feel free to invite friends young and old. Refreshments will be provided (if you would like to help set up please let me know)
You might also be asking Why ??
83% of Brits own at least six items of clothing not worn in the last year – some admit to having 200 items they don't wear*
24% of unworn items were bought for a specific event with no plans to wear again*
Finding a pre-loved #wardrobetreasure gives almost half of shoppers a buzz similar to buying brand new – a sign of our desire to live more sustainably*
Neurological studies show that the reward networks in the brain activate during acts of generous giving, even when we benefit from these, so clothes swaps make you feel happy
More than 300,000 tonnes of used clothing goes to landfill in the UK every year and according to a report by the waste charity WRAP if clothes stayed in active use for three years (9 months more than the UK average), it would reduce their carbon, water and waste footprints by 20 to 30 per cent.
What's more clothes swapping is good for your mental wellbeing, as Fashion Psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell explains: "Consumers agree that the sustainable fashion movement is "an ideal situation they would be striving to work toward". However, often there are barriers to being sustainable. Firstly, sustainable fashion collections can be expensive, which of course can negatively impact our wellbeing. Secondly, fast-fashion items are based on fast-changing trends and wearing clothes 'of the moment' plays a key role in how we want to be perceived. Clothes swapping events like Swish & Style remove these two issues completely. This event will allow you to revamp your wardrobe without the financial strain.
But the benefits don't stop there, according to Forbes-Bell "In the UK, more than 30% of our unwanted clothing currently goes to landfill. Therefore, by swapping instead of dumping your clothes, you'll be lightening your environmental footprint while experiencing psychological benefits. Neurological studies have shown that the reward networks in the brain activate during acts of generous giving, even when we benefit from these acts ourselves. Also, clothes swapping enables you to engage in more mindful consumption, so rather than letting your style be dictated by big-label brands and high-street giants, you'll be able to make a conscious decision about what styles truly suit you, your values and your lifestyle.