Enter the Swish on 11th October 2025 – a fun way to swap clothes with friends and neighbours. At a Swish (so called for the sound of coathangers swishing along rails) you bring along your unwanted pre-loved clothing, volunteers sort it into categories while you grab a cuppa and catch up with friends, and then everyone is allowed in to choose some ‘new’ items for their wardrobe. Leftover clothes are donated to charity.
The next Cottenham Swish is on Saturday 11th October at the Village Hall, Lambs Lane Recreation Ground – arrive at 13.45 with your clothes and the Swish begins at 14.15. The event is free, but we welcome a small donation for each item you take home to help us to continue to put on events like this.
If you came along to our 2024 Swish we hope you had a good time and found something you liked to take home. We felt there was a lovely atmosphere and lots of good conversations were had too. This was a free event organised by Sustainable Cottenham. Donations of almost £100 were gratefully received which will go towards our running costs.
Swishes, or clothes swap parties are a fun, free way to refresh your wardrobe without buying new clothes. The fashion industry has a huge environmental footprint, accounting for more carbon emissions than aviation and shipping combined, and is often exploitative of workers too. Meanwhile, an average Briton’s wardrobe contains a whopping 57 unworn items!*
It’s those under-worn clothes you’ve fallen out of love with that we want you to dig out from your wardrobe and swap with others. Bring women’s, men’s and children’s clothes, shoes and accessories in good, clean condition**. You can bring and take as much as you like***.
*Figures from this BBC article on Fast Fashion
**No underwear, please.
***Please only take what you/your family will personally use – not to sell on. We reserve the right to challenge anyone not acting in the spirit of the event.