It has been said that the best way to ensure that your clothing is green is to not buy new clothing. Even organic cotton takes its toll on the environment. If you can get used clothing, that is actually the greenest way to go since you are not creating demand for additional resources by consuming clothing. But you do not have to go to a thrift store in order to get recycled clothing. You can attend a clothing swap and see all the shirts, dresses, pants and accessories that you can think of.

Clothing Swaps
As the economy starts to take its toll on household budgets, the concept of clothing swaps is becoming popular again. When you go to a swap, you take something you own and trade to someone else. There is usually a low fee for entrance to the swap (often between $15 and $50, depending on what is being traded), and you can trade what you have for whatever others are willing to give you. Clothing swaps work the same way.

You can bring your clothes to the swap and trade an outfit, accessory or separate for another. Often, what has become old and boring to you looks fresh and new to someone else - and vice versa. You can find some new clothing to fill your closet, while at the same time living a more eco-friendly life when it comes to your clothes shopping.

The idea of clothing swaps is starting to take hold in the green movement in clothing, because it promotes the recycling of clothing, rather than the consumption of resources and an output of pollution to create new clothing. And it can be a fun way to meet new people and to socialize. In some cases, clothing swaps have grown to include demonstrations of environmentally friendly beauty and personal care products (including makeovers), as well as access to organic food (including chocolate, cheese and wine).

Green clothing doesn't have to be new, and it doesn't have to be expensive. If you have something to offer, you can get recycled clothing at a swap.