Summer Swap Party This Sunday

Come celebrate the beginning of summer by finding some fun new outfits - our next swap is just a week away! We're a little further west and a little bit cheaper than usual.

Show up with $5 and the clothes you no longer want, and you'll get a ticket for each good quality item you bring (max. 30 tickets). Each ticket can then be redeemed for a new swap find.

Sunday, June 23
12pm-4pm
industREAL arts room
688 Richmond St. West, Ground Floor
Admission: $5

The swap starts at noon, but feel free to arrive any time after 11:30am to drop off your clothes.

As always, there will also be snacks, DIY tips and on-site alterations.

All clothing, shoes, and other accessories (with the exception of socks & undies) that are clean and in good condition are welcome.

At the end of the day, all of the clothing that is left will be donated to local charities.

Check out the Facebook event page for updates.

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Toronto Swap Events This Week: May 28-June 2, 2013

Saturday June 1
Clothing Swap & BBQ
2pm
Double Double Land, 209 Augusta Ave.

A massive clothing swap with live music and BBQ. Bill Bill, Dune Buddies, New Fries, and DJ Wes Allen are performing.


Really Really Free Market
10am-6pm
Campbell Park, near Lansdowne Stn.

Bring your clean, functional stuff, pick something up, or stick around! But you don't need to bring anything to take something. Suggestions include: clothes, media, toys, household items, pet supplies, arts and crafts, and baked goods. Offering services, such as haircuts, fix up skills, yoga classes, music/dance lessons, massage, or gardening help are also welcome.

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Toronto Swap Events This Week: May 20-27, 2013

Saturday May 26

Anime North Swap Meet

9am - 11am

Venice Room, Doubletree International Plaza Hotel, 655 Dixon Road

Cost: $5

This week's big clothing swap is part of Anime North. With a focus solely on Japanese street fashion and Steampunk, it should be an interesting event. Items will be available for swap and sale. Attendees are encouraged to wear their PJs (because of the early start time) or their best street style outfit.

Foodies may also want to start thinking about what to make for next Monday's HomeEc event. The monthly potluck social takes place at Handlebar in Kensington Market, and this month's theme is bar snacks.

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Toronto Swap Events This Week: May 13-19, 2013

Spring is here (even though it doesn't quite feel like it at the moment), which means swap season is in full swing! This is a great week for swaps of all kinds: books? check! other media? check! bikes? check! clothes? but of course!

Thursday May 16

Book & Media Swap

5pm - 8pm

Harvest Noon, 16 Bancroft Ave (near College & Spadina) 

Cost: FREE

There’s no need to bring an item in order to participate, although the more items, the better the swap! Swapping will commence at 5pm, but items for swap can be dropped off anytime after 11 am. Local sustainable food, coffee and tea will be served throughout the evening. 

Saturday, May 18

Clothing Repairathon & Cookbook Swap

9am - 1pm

Withrow Park, 725 Logan Avenue, south of the Danforth 

Cost: FREE

This event is part of the Withrow Park Farmer's Market. Bring any clothes in need of repair, to get fixed for free! There will also be a cookbook swap.


MEC Bikefest
11am to 5pm
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Cost: FREE

This celebration of all things bike-related features a bike and gear swap, as well as clinics, group rides, demos, and lots more.

Sunday, May 19

Community Clothing Swap

11am - 1pm

BMO Atrium, Evergreen Brickworks 

Cost: $3

Clothing (except underwear), and fashion accessories are welcome. 1 token per item to a max of 12. Any additional finds cost $1. Proceeds go towards further community events at Evergreen Brick Works. At the end of the swap, all extra clothing will be given to charity.

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Swap & Rock Fundraiser - Just One Week to Go!

So excited about this event! Details are below:

Sunday, April 21
12:30pm-6pm
The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W.

Show up with the clothes and any items you no longer want, and leave with a great new haul! You'll get a ticket for each good quality item you bring (max. 30 tickets). Each ticket can then be redeemed for a new swap find.

Performing in the front room:
The Bicycles
Blonde Elvis
Sphinxs
Persian Rugs




The swap will feature on-site alterations and a nail bar!

The swap starts at 12:30, but feel free to arrive any time after 12:00pm to drop off your clothes.

Bands start at 1:00!

All clothing and accessories you no longer use that are clean and in good condition are welcome.

$8 with swap items
$5 if you're just interested in seeing the bands

Everything left at the end of the day will be donated to charity, and all funds raised will go to Girls Rock Camp!

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How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Vintage Shoes

For years, despite my love of vintage clothing, I always steered clear of the shoe section when vintage shopping. The idea of wearing someone else's shoes, and not knowing how to sufficiently clean them seemed, for lack of a better word… icky. A few years ago I was thrifting, and came across a pair of black slouchy leather boots that I LOVED. Yes, they had belonged to someone else, but suddenly I was able to justify trying them on. They fit perfectly, and looked great. Squeamishness be damned - I had to have them! 

I have since amassed a sizeable collection of second-hand footwear, and because I'm such a cheap-o, my vintage and thrifted shoes and boots are among my most prized, and best quality footwear. A few things to keep in mind if you're thinking about perusing the shoe racks at the next swap you attend:

1. Check for wear. 
Shoes conform to the feet of the wearer, so shoes that are misshapen or whose soles have uneven wear and tear can be bad for your feet. I always check the upper, inside the shoe, and the soles, as well. If you are a bit squeamish about wearing someone's old shoes, confirming there's no wear to the soles can also be reassuring.

2. Ignore sizing. 
Just eyeball it. When buying/swapping vintage, you often don't know where the shoes came from - country, era, even gender sometimes. I recently picked up an awesome pair of grey ankle boots in a size 6. UK size 6, men's 6 - who knows? I was just pleased to find that they comfortably fit my size 8 1/2 feet.

3. Clean 'em. 
As well as the usual weatherproofing and polishing, I like to spray some deodorizer inside the shoes for good measure. Baking soda works as well. Just remove it with a damp cloth before putting them on. I also like to get shoes that are teensy bit too big when possible, so I can stick some insoles in, to soothe my neurotic germaphobe soul.

4. Get creative. 
Not really shoe specific - this is something advisable for swap finds in general. When you get something for free, trying a DIY re-do is a pretty low-risk proposition. The idea of re-vamping shoes is less likely to occur to people, though. Although re-styling possibilities are limited compared to what's possible with clothing (unless you've got some cobbling experience), it's amazing what can be done with a bit of paint, fabric, and sequins. Check out our Footwear DIY Pinterest board for inspiration.

Are there any great second-hand shoe tips I've missed? If so, please share in the comments!

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Swap Events This Week: April 1-7, 2013

Saturday, April 6
Really Really Free Market Toronto 
10am-6pm
Campbell Park (near Lansdowne Station)
Not exactly a swap, as there's no obligation to bring anything, but definitely an event that should appeal to swap fans. People bring what they have to give, take what they need, and leave the rest. It’s kind of like a potluck, but for goods and services! 


Sunday, April 7 
Clothing Swap/Wardrobe Refresh
2:30pm-5pm
Dovercourt House (north of Bloor)
Clothes, shoes, accessories, books, jewelry, etc. are welcome. 
Admission: $5 (goes to C4P animal rescue)

Check out our Events page for more upcoming Toronto swap events. 

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