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Roberta Lee in Refinery29 on Clothes Swapping, Circular Fashion and Wardrobe Longevity
Why clothes swapping encourages a more considered approach to building a wardrobe
Featured in Refinery29, Roberta Lee shared expert insight into the rise of clothes swapping and the broader shift towards circular fashion. The feature explored how changing consumer attitudes are challenging long-held perceptions of second-hand clothing, with swapping becoming an increasingly accepted way to refresh a wardrobe without contributing to unnecessary consumption. Roberta explained that clothes swapping should not be viewed simply as a budget-friendly alternative, but as part of a wider cultural shift towards valuing what we already own. As awareness of fashion's environmental impact continues to grow, she believes personal stylists have an important role to play in helping people rethink their relationship with clothing and embrace more intentional ways of dressing.
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Current point of view
Roberta Lee on circular fashion
Updated 2026
Clothes swapping remains one of the simplest ways to experience something new without automatically creating demand for something new. Whilst I don't believe everyone needs to swap clothes, I do think the underlying principle is important. It encourages us to see clothing as something with ongoing value rather than something designed to be worn briefly and discarded.
Style isn't about clothes. It's about understanding the relationship we have with the things we own. The more we value craftsmanship, longevity and versatility, the more naturally we begin making decisions that benefit both our wardrobes and the wider fashion industry.
Roberta
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