Retail therapy with a guilt-free twist!
The mission
The Leeds Community Clothes Exchange (LCCE) is a non-profit community project inviting participants to swap their pre-loved clothes for fresh pieces that fit their current style.
The dedicated team of volunteers aims to reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion by encouraging people to trade clothes rather than buy new ones.
This inclusive approach spans all tastes, from vintage and designer finds to handmade pieces and everyday essentials, making sustainable fashion accessible for all.
Their mission is especially relevant around Halloween, a time when many costumes are bought for one-time use and then discarded.
Each year, seven million costumes are thrown out in the UK alone, contributing significantly to plastic waste.
This October, the LCCE reclaimed the holiday with a focus on slow fashion, offering a full rail of witchy gowns and stylish accessories for a hauntingly hip Halloween.
History
Founded in 2008 by a small group of friends, the LCCE began in a Hyde Park studio led by Lizzie Harrison.
For her master’s degree project, Lizzie transformed the studio space, launching the first clothes exchange as part of her ethical fashion brand, Antiform.
When Antiform relocated to Bristol in 2014, the LCCE found a new home at the Woodhouse Community Centre, where it has since flourished—encouraging community spirit, reducing waste, and promoting thoughtful consumer habits.
How it works
Participating is easy:
- Swapping is open from 12pm to 4pm on a selected Saturday each month.
- Entry costs just £3.50 per person.
- Participants can bring up to 20 clean, undamaged items to exchange. Any leftover items carry over to the next swap.
Refresh your wardrobe
Mark your calendar: the next swap event takes place on Saturday 23rd November.
Get involved, meet new friends, and make a difference.
Plus, if you’re passionate about ethical fashion and connecting with like-minded people, why not volunteer?
The team is on the lookout for enthusiastic helpers to make the event even more successful.
Old clothes, new stories – be part of a movement bringing sustainable fashion to the heart of Leeds.
