The Plus Size Clothing Swap of Philadelphia is an amazing event for the plus-sized community to get together, make new friends, and acquire new clothes in a unique, sustainable way! Read all about the event details, where to get your tickets, and the impact on the community.
The Plus Size Clothing Swap of Philadelphia is happening again this fall! After last year’s success, the event’s size is getting bigger, and anticipation is growing! It will take place on October 30th, 2022, from 10:00am-1:00pm at the Howard Gittis Student Center on Temple University’s campus. Tickets are on sale now through eventbrite. Information about this event can also be found on their Instagram page, @ phillyplusswap.
To participate in the swap, you must purchase a ticket and there are three different price options. General admission tickets are $10.00 and include access to three hours of swapping, access to all the plus-sized vendors and a discount code for The Rounds, which provides a month of free deliveries. The VIP ticket includes a Retold Recycling bag to mail any old, ripped or stained clothing to be recycled. Additionally, a commemorative sticker, one free raffle ticket, and discount codes for the retailers. There are also some scholarship tickets available for folks who cannot purchase tickets. To receive a scholarship ticket or to sponsor a ticket for someone else, reach out to the event organizer using the contact information on the Event Brite.
This event is for the plus-sized community, meaning a size 14/XL or larger. Everyone participating must bring at least five items to swap, if you bring more than twenty items, be prepared to bring home any excess. Clothing of any brands, seasons, and occasions are welcome. All clothing must be in wearable condition, free from any holes, rips, stains, or odors. Not glittery items or damaged beaded items are allowed. Vintage items must be in excellent condition. Shoes of any kind are welcome, but no accessories, costumes, lingerie, children’s clothing, or jewelry is allowed.
If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering at the swap, sign up by filling out this Google Form!
During the swap, there will be two plus size vendors, Curve Conscious and Curvy and Seductive. Along with almost a dozen raffles going on with amazing products from many different companies!
Personally, I had such an amazing experience at last year’s clothing swap. I was able to provide a good home for some clothes that no longer served me and left with clothes I was so excited about and still love to this day. I felt such a sense of community, pride, and togetherness with the plus-sized community.
I spoke with event organizer, Donnelle Jageman, to learn more about her perspectives and gain insights about this event.
What was your favorite part of last year’s swap? What were your main takeaways?
Donnelle Jageman: My favorite part of last year’s swap was the responsiveness of the community. I was shocked when the tickets sold out and I had to, unfortunately, turn people away.
What aspect of the swap are you most looking forward to this year?
Donnelle Jageman: I am most looking forward to meeting more people at this year’s swap and growing this community. I am also very excited that we’ll have two plus-sized vendors at the swap: Curve Conscious and Curvy and Seductive. Curve Conscious is a new and used plus-sized resale shop, now based online but the owner, Adrienne Ray is a Temple alumni and Philly resident. Curvy and Seductive is a plus-sized lingerie brand owned by Kenyetta Harris. Both businesses will have pop-up shops at the swap.
What has the feedback or the support from the community been like?
Donnelle Jageman: The feedback from the community has been incredible and, in this case, the community is way bigger than plus-sized folks interested in swapping clothes. Sustainable businesses have been very supportive – of course, Instagram’s @SellTradePlus is our primary supporter but we have almost a dozen other businesses and individuals that are supporting the swap through the donations of goods. Retold Recycling has donated 25 textile recycling bags. Dr. Marissa Milchack donated a Botox session for a raffle prize and there are so many others: Good Buy Supply and The Rounds are donating raffle baskets and Move with Pride is sponsoring another. We’ll have a glass art piece by Jessica Reitmeyer of QueerlyMade for raffle along with some other goodies that are still in the works. I also have to thank All Together Now Pennsylvania for their support, they’ve included the swap on their IG page and newsletter. Other organizations like FabScrap have also stepped up to help. It’s really amazing that most of these organizations are owned by or managed by women and they have been very willing to support the swap.
How do you think this will impact, build, or grow the plus-sized community in Philadelphia?
Donnelle Jageman: I hope that this will encourage the plus-sized community to come together more often and to continue to advocate for sustainable fashion options. Fast fashion is out, we all know that. But sustainable fashion and slow fashion are inaccessible, especially for plus-sizeds, for so many reasons: availability, size ranges, pricing, etc. I want these folks to feel welcome in a space and I hope the swap is creating one of those spaces that will encourage conversation and action.
What does the plus size clothing swap mean to you?
Donnelle Jageman: Organizing this event has actually validated a lot for me. So many of our causes are interdisciplinary. The swap isn’t just about plus-sizedd people, fashion, clothing, secondhand shopping, or even sustainability. It’s really about all of it and so much more: community-building, inclusivity, circular economies, equity, climate change, the list could go on.
How has organizing this event changed your perception of things? This could include plus-sized representation, fashion, sustainability, community or anything else!
Donnelle Jageman: The Plus Swap is aiming to be accessible to everyone and although it may not be perfect, I am always working towards that. Everyone is welcome, the swap does not discriminate towards clothing that is “gendered,” I only ask that participants follow the guidelines and only bring clothing that is equivalent to a women’s size 14/XL and up. There are more detailed guidelines on the Eventbrite site and I encourage folks to ask if they have questions. In addition, we have several fully sponsored tickets available for folks who may experience financial difficulty in purchasing a ticket. If someone cannot purchase their own ticket, they should contact The Swap through IG or by email (listed on Eventbrite) so we can arrange for their ticket. We don’t want to exclude anyone. We’ve doubled the capacity for the event this year so I really hope the plus-sized community finds this event and supports it. I would love to plan another next year!
The Plus Size Clothing Swap of Philadelphia is approaching quickly, an event with so much meaning, opportunity, and fun, it’s one you won’t want to miss! Tickets are on sale, make sure to grab yours before it sells out.