An Evening of Swishing

Just over a year or so ago, I went to my first clothes swap event (a.k.a. swishing) and loved the experience. I’ve intended to go to another one since that first swishing event but haven’t heard about many in the Sheffield area.

Last night, however, I went to an Evening of Swishing, held above the Broadfield pub in the Nether Edge area of Sheffield and organised by Hallam Roses W.I., and my love for swishing was revived! I managed to find a dress, jumper and pair of shoes I particularly liked, but just had to share with you these two gorgeous bags that I also picked up. I absolutely LOVE them!

The latter bag even came complete with a 5 pence piece and this note:

… I’m not sure if this note was intended for the bag’s new owner but I’ll take it anyway – gorgeous, new bag and a confidence boosting note, win!

The goody bags given out by HRWI were a lovely touch, complete with mini perfumes, Lush goodies and room scents. The only downside was that a friend of mine arrived later on in the evening (but still within the stated time that the event was being held) with her bag full of clothes, only to find the event had finished early.

Multi-Coloured Swap Shop

Stock image.

I had a new experience at the weekend… I attended my first clothes swap and it was brilliant!

I’ve heard about clothes swaps before and even intended to go along to one I’d heard about a couple of years ago but never managed to make it in the end, so the concept of clothes swapping was pretty much forgotten for me after that. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I received a Facebook invite to a clothes swap taking place just outside of Sheffield city centre, to raise funds for a mission trip.

I decided to go along and try it out but I wasn’t sure what to expect although, to be honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be a great experience. It sounded too good to be true to simply take along a selection of unwanted garms and expect to replace them with fab, new additions to your wardrobe.

So, I turned up at St Thomas’ Church Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon with a couple of friends and a mild hangover. We each paid our £4 to get in and handed over our carrier bags of clothing that we no longer had a use for.

“Bring what you don’t use, take what you need.”

We were greeted by a selection of tables, rails and even radiators that were draped with clothes, hats and belts, along with a selection of shoes and bags arranged on the floor. I sceptically began rifling through the clothes on the first table I came to and was thrilled when I pulled out a top that was totally my style. My friend followed suit with an item of clothing that took her fancy and then that was it, we were well and truly away, and my hangover was long forgotten!

All three of us managed to find a good few items that we liked, so we were chuffed. The ethos of this clothes swap was “Bring what you don’t use, take what you need.” All clothes, shoes, accessories and even bedding were accepted as long as they were clean and in good condition, so there was a good selection of quality items to choose from – no moth eaten, sweaty t-shirts to be found here.

This event even provided guests with free refreshments, so as we took a break from our swapping to enjoy a cup of tea and slice of flapjack, I was thrilled to spot a couple of people picking up items of clothing from the table that I had donated. It was a buzz to see the items of clothing that you no longer had a use for going to a good home!

Apparently, clothes swaps began in the early 1980s, in response to the increase in consumer culture and they have grown in popularity ever since. It’s a thrifty way to revive your wardrobe and be environmentally conscious at the same time, ensuring unwanted clothing does not simply go to waste.

You can read more here about the clothes swapping sensation in America.

I left the event with a lovely knitted green dress, a beach dress and a belt, and my friends took away a selection of treats too. I, personally, am now a clothing swap convert and cannot wait to find another local event to attend!

601 Boutique launches in Sheffield’s West One Plaza

Boutique interior

Last night, I popped along to the launch event of 601 Boutique in Sheffield’s West One Plaza, a family-run business from a background of football and beauty stocking top quality menswear.

The couple behind the business is Rotherham United FC player Luke Foster and partner Rebekah. The concept for the boutique’s name came from the birth of the couple’s little boy, Taylor, who was born at 6.01. Luke and Rebekah felt that ‘601’ had a unique feeling to it and that is something they have strived to create within the new boutique.

Appreciating that clothing is an important part of our everyday lives but that clothes should also be fun, 601 Boutique stocks a range of quality menswear brands, including Delusion and I Am Generic.

I personally think it’s fantastic to see more independent businesses setting up shop in and around Sheffield and would like to wish 601 Boutique the very best of luck!

To find out more about 601 Boutique, visit the website or follow @6_0_1 on Twitter. Better still, why not call in to the new store and take a look at what they have to offer?

Candy buffet!

Confessions Of A Polka Dot Addict

Just a fraction of my growing polka dot collection

My name is Jenny and I am addicted to polka dots. I’ve always had an eye for those pesky little dots but I think it really hit home how much I craved them just over a year ago when I ended up buying three very similar polka dot dresses in the space of as many months.

I was shopping in Manchester for a dress to wear to my work Christmas party when I spotted a lovely 50s style polka dot number with red trim. I tried it on, loved it and bought it, job done. But then I headed to a shop over the road and spotted a very similar polka dot dress that looked even nicer when on so I bought that and intended to take the first dress back for a refund. However, on returning to the first shop I was told that they didn’t offer refunds so I was effectively stuck with two very similar dresses.

‘That’s fine’, I thought, ‘I’ll just have two lovely dresses to wear when summer comes around’. You’d think that would be the end of it but a short while later, I spotted another 50s style polka dot dress, this time with cherry motifs smattered across it. I was instantly hooked. My mind was screaming ‘Step away!!!! You do NOT need another polka dot dress!’, but I could not stop my arm from reaching out and before I knew it, I was back home adding another spotty number to my frock collection.

I came ever so slightly to my senses a short while later and sold one of the dresses on eBay because three very similar dresses is ludicrous and unnecessary, but I haven’t managed to kick my polka dot habit altogether and now they are back in fashion (though they were never out of fashion in my besotted eyes), I’m beginning to realise I’m screwed because they’re everywhere and I can’t resist them!

As you can see from the pic at the top of this post – which shows just some of my polka dot collection – I have two polka dot umbrellas. Why, WHY do I need two polka dot umbrellas?!

I went on a short break to Madrid recently and passed a shop with a whole window display of polka dot items. My mind went into overdrive and I very nearly bought the whole display but managed to walk away with this lovely – and very practical – purse (more practical than multiple polka dot umbrellas, anyway):

My most recent purchase was this pair of polka dot hair clips, from the very talented Imogen’s Imagination in Sheffield:

Surprisingly I don’t own any polka dot shoes but I have been eyeing up some beauties recently that I have pinned to my Pinterest board, Polka Dot Love, that is dedicated to all things polka dot. My goodness, I really do need help!!