Vicky’s challenge ends with Frock Swap event

MAKE Do Not Spend queen Vicky Sowerby will host a mass frock swap to celebrate a year of clothing frugality.

It seemed a tall order when she vowed to wear a different outfit every day for a year without spending any money on clothes or accessories. But as her challenge comes to an end, she said: “It has been easier than I thought because of the extent of my wardrobe. There are still some things I haven’t worn.”

Vicky has just broken the £4,000-raised barrier for Oldham Cancer Support Centre, and has also pledged the proceeds of Frock Swap to the cause.

She got the fund off to a good start by donating her monthly £50 clothes budget to the fund.

Eagerly waiting for the challenge to end, she said: “I am looking forward to being released back into the shops, but I haven’t missed it as much as I thought. I will have a bit of a blow-out, then I am going to try and buy mostly vintage and second-hand clothes.”

Frock Swap marks the end of Vicky’s challenge, and takes place on Thursday, December 1, at St Edwards Church Hall, Spring Street, Lees. Clothing can be handed in between 7 and 8pm, when the swap starts in earnest, and the evening goes on until late.

Frock swappers will get one token for each item of clothing or footwear they take — up to a maximum of five — and will be able to take the same number of items home for no extra charge.

Vicky advised: “Think quality not quantity. If you were going to take something to the jumble or charity shop then that is where it should go... not the frock swap.”

“In the UK we throw out a staggering million tonnes of old clothes and textiles each year. More than 7.5 billion items of clothing go into our dustbins every year with most of it ending up in landfill. So don’t throw it….swap it.”

Entry to Frock Swap is by ticket only, available for £10 in advance from Vicky at vicky@sewabee.co.uk.