By Maria Puntus. Maria is an international student from Moscow, Russia. She is a currently junior graphic design student at SCAD minoring in user experience, but she’s taken a special interest in fashion journalism as well.
This article was submitted by a contributing writer. To have an article published with The Connector, email editor@scadconnector.com.
The term “clothing swap” became a synonym for sustainable and trendy fashion that helps to save both the environment and your pocket money. On Sunday, October 16, Taryn Montgomery, a founder of the largest Atlanta’s Attire Rotation, held her fifth swap — proving that trend works not in theory, but in practice, and brings hundreds of fashionistas together.
Montgomery is 28 years old, hailing from Jacksonville, Florida. Her path started in the marketing field, supplemented with an interest in sustainability. In June 2022, she decided to take a leap and organize her first clothing swap in just one week. Only ten people attended at the time, though Montgomery saw potential. At the fifth swap, she scored with more than a hundred attendances.
“There are plenty of clothes that exist on this planet for everyone already, and we’re just overproducing crazy [amounts],” says Montgomery. “I also see a need for clothing that’s actually affordable.”
With Attire Rotation, Montgomery challenges the concept of thrifting. All clothes go through a careful review and — only if passing the list of requirements — will they go on display. “There are just certain things that I ask people not to bring,” says Montgomery. “You know, I don’t really want your middle school sweatshirt.”
The recent event showed a great number of pieces, including designer ones, from artsy tops by local brands to chic bottoms by Tommy Hilfiger. “You can bring items that might be old to you, but they can be new to someone else,” says Tyanni Dickson, better known as Tee Shmoney on most social media platforms, who attended the swap for the fourth time in a row. Working as a content creator for the event, she sees a big mission in the authenticity and affordability of Montgomery’s Attire Rotation.
Dickson proudly says that thanks to the swap, she went through major style changes herself with “no harm to the pocket.” As a loyal swap member, she believes that the swap builds new fashion identities for reasonable prices, which does not exceed $25 for a ticket. The main policy is that “you swap as much as you bring,” as stated on the Attire Rotation website. So, with 25 pieces on hand, some lucky hunters get quality apparel for just one dollar each.
For the first time, the clothing swap took place at Round Trip Brewing Co. in North Midtown, complete with cool music, wonderful people, some drinks, and unique apparel patiently awaiting their new caregivers. Montgomery mostly runs the organization herself, but for event dates, she invites volunteers to help her sort out apparel and welcome guests.
One of these guests, Elena, is a stylist. As an insider from the industry, she constitutes for the impact of Attire Rotation: “Instead of going and buying something new, I might be able to leave today with everything I need,” she says. “Events like this are preventing people from spending extra money, and worse, going into the landfill.”
As a result, younger people make up the majority of Attire Rotation’s guest list, since the swap gives them a chance to find a trendy treat without crazy budget cuts. Another appealing aspect is the expansion towards unisex and male attire; Attire Rotation is challenging the popular notion that women are the main style-hunters and showing that men are interested in good wear too.
With the rising popularity of sustainable shopping, the next swap is scheduled for November 6, as it becomes a monthly essential to attend by many Atlanta fashionistas. Montgomery also provides a little hint on future Rotation plans and says that more is to come with a pop-up opening in 2023. If you’re interested in getting involved with an Attire Rotation clothing swap, be sure to keep up with more updates on their Instagram, linked here.