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The free winter thrift pop-up is displayed on the screen. The room was set up to welcome anyone needing free thrift clothes.
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Jadyn Emery (left), sophomore art major and Zaven Crupper (right), sophomore forensic chemistry major, sit at the front table greeting visitors and helping them browse clothes. They were coordinating the clothing swap setup earlier.
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A rack of shirts and colorful ties stands ready for students browsing new pieces. It was sorted by size and style beforehand.
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Tables filled with clothes stretch across the Washburn A/B room as students arrive to explore. They were arranged early in the morning by the event team.
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Students chat near the entrance while others browse the clothing tables. The organizers had prepared the space to make it easy for people to move around.
On Nov. 22, Washburn Ecobods and SAB are joining forces to host a Clothing Swap event in the Memorial Union Washburn A/B from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
The idea behind the swap was simple: reduce waste and encourage students to reuse items instead of throwing them away. Tables were filled with tops, jackets, jeans, accessories and students could browse freely.
“This supports sustainability efforts at Washburn by encouraging students not to go out and buy new clothes when they already have very good options and a sense of clothes and we’re preventing them from going to a landfill,” said Lexi Wallace, sophomore pre-radiologic technology major.
A few people said they liked the event because it gave them a chance to clean out their closets without wasting anything. Others came with friends just to see what they could find, and some ended up walking away with stuff they didn’t expect but actually loved.
“I think it improves student’s ability to understand thrifting and to see what they can find,” said Ethan Rentier, freshman industrial production technology major.
Organizers said they wanted to promote sustainability and encourage students to think twice before throwing clothes away. Swapping, reusing and donating are small habits, but events like this make them feel doable. Anything left at the end of the day will be donated locally, so nothing goes to waste.
“I think doing events like…can reduce waste,” said Jadyn Emery, sophomore art major. “We want our campus to be clean and stuff.”
Everyone helped each other pick outfits, laughing when they held up clothes that definitely weren’t their style, and celebrating when someone found something that fit perfectly.
“Especially since this is free clothes because obviously they don’t make very much money, so it’s just a good way to get everyone to get some free clothes,” said Zaven Crupper, sophomore forensic chemistry major.
By the end of the event, most of the clothes had found new owners. Organizers said any leftover items would be donated locally so nothing goes to waste. For many students, the Clothing Swap wasn’t just about fashion, it was a reminder that community events can help people connect while promoting good habits.
Edited by Stuti Khadka
