"Keep clothes in circulation longer" - Four women from Schongau organize a clothes swap party in the Ballenhaus

Created: 04/04/2022, 10:00 am

One brings it, the other takes it: That is the principle of the "clothes swap party" that (from left) Beatrice Amberg, Barbara Karg, Miriam Schäfer and Carola Dempfle got together on April 23rd in the Ballenhaus place.

© Christine Wolfle

Fill the wardrobe with new favorite items, don't pay a cent for them, even do good with them and enjoy the party atmosphere: That's possible at Schongau's "clothes swap party".

We spoke to the organizers.

Schongau

- On April 23rd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a "clothes swap party" in the Ballenhaus in Schongau.

Beatrice Amberg, Carola Dempfle (both Schongau animated and Weibsdeifimarkt), Barbara Karg (AWO Schongau) and Miriam Schäfer (NeNa LaWei project Herzogsägmühle) are the organizers.

They talked about this great, sustainable idea, their wishes and intentions.

Bring five pieces and take five others home with you: That's the principle on which the clothing swap works.

What's the idea?

Schäfer: In almost every wardrobe there are a few clothes that are no longer worn.

They are too small, too big or just don't meet your own taste anymore.

You can give them a new life at our clothes swap party.

If you don't have five parts to swap, you're welcome to bring less.

The rule is simple: take as many pieces as you can bring.

Dempfle: At the clothes swap party, the woman who now fits what was once her favorite piece can be found live and in real time.

That makes giving away a real joy - much better than just throwing it away.

Karg: We throw far too much clothing into the used clothing container too quickly anyway.

The clothes swap should keep clothes in circulation longer.

Amberg: The great side effect is the encounters between the participants and the resulting conversations.

We experience exactly that again and again in the Weibsdeifi market, through which we have already gained a lot of experience in sustainable shopping in recent years.

What is the party part of this event?

Dempfle: Actually, the conversations when trying on a new look, including tips and advice from known and unknown women.

This creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

We experienced that a few years ago when we swapped clothes.

Sometimes even friendships are formed.

Amberg: It is important to us that women of all nations and all ages connect with each other and get into conversation.

These women's talks can definitely have a party character.

Perhaps a successful name would have been "Clothes Swap Fun Party"?

Schäfer: There are also drinks and small appetizers, as well as great music in the Ballenhaussaal - for a really pleasant stay.

Who can come to the clothes swap party and what can you bring?

Amberg: Presumably women in particular will take advantage of the offer, but of course we don't want to exclude men!

One to five well-preserved parts can be brought along, which can be exchanged on a one-to-one basis.

Dempfle: In principle, everything that a woman wears on her body can be exchanged.

So tops, skirts, pants and scarves.

Schäfer: And also accessories, hats and shoes.

However, we do not accept underwear and swimwear.

Dempfle: Everyone should make sure that they bring about as much as they take back with them.

It would be ideal if nothing was left over at the end.

This event is a purely voluntary project, since no money is spent.

How can we support you?

Dempfle: We are still looking for helpers on an hourly basis for setting up, admission and looking after the guests, and then also for cleaning up.

Anyone who would like to support us is welcome to contact us at post@schongau-beleben.de or by telephone on 08861/6999893.

We would be very happy!

Amberg: Of course, financial support is always great, also for possible repetitions if the event is well received.

No matter in what form: We really appreciate any kind of support.

Dempfle: Last but not least, we would like a lot of support from visitors who have a lot of time and are interested in the party.

Do you want the clothes swap party to be a one-time event, or are you already planning for more in the future?

Schäfer: Highly motivated, we dreamed of another clothes swap party at our second organizational meeting.

But now we want to focus on April 23rd and see how the clothes swap party goes down in Schongau.

Dempfle: If things go well, that's definitely on our agenda.

And once the organization is in place, the effort should then be manageable.

Amberg: Twice a year, for example in spring and autumn, we could very well imagine this event in Schongau.

Karg: But for that, the first clothes swap party has to go really well.

I firmly believe in it and look forward to it.

The conversation was conducted by Christine Wölfle

By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Schongau newsletter.