The fashion and clothing industry is currently the third-highest waste producer globally, right after the food and construction industries. The global apparel market value is around 3 trillion dollars, accounting for nearly 2% of the entire world’s GDP while contributing to around 10% of greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale due to its energy-intensive method of production and long supply chains.

Fast fashion corporations further push the production of new textiles by producing cheap, low-quality clothing in bulk and dealing with their excess overstock by throwing it away or burning it down. Society has become obsessed with following the latest trends and keeping in line with every influencer, celebrity, or fashion blogger for cheap, even at the cost of harming the planet.

That’s where Swap Boutique comes in—this luxury consignment store provides a wide selection of high-quality designer merchandise at affordable prices to fashion-forward customers who want clothing that can last a long time. Located in New Orleans, the store is inspired by local women who have a trending and diverse style. They specialize in couture and designer clothing, jewelry, purses, and shoes and only accept a small number of mainstream brands with a good reputation for high-quality clothing.

According to a company representative: “Fashion-conscious women often find it hard to find chic items on a budget—luxury brands tend to cater to the upper socioeconomic classes, leaving many fashionistas scrambling to find something unique and stylish in mainstream brands. Fashion is art, and the best way to create art is by making an outfit that showcases your personality and individuality in each of the pieces, which is difficult to do if thousands of other people are wearing the exact same thing. Luxury brands and designers tend to make specialized items that aren’t mass-produced, making them feel more special to the wearer.”

Consignment stores are a type of second-hand shop where the owner retains ownership of their item until it’s sold for a small compensation to the store for stocking their item. Consignment shops usually set their own terms for consignments. Swap Boutique gives consignors a choice between getting a 40% commission or 50% in-store credit, while couture and specialty designer items can earn up to 60% commission for each item that gets sold. They maintain that the items need to be new or appear new, free of any holes, stains, or missing buttons, and must be in fashion.

Swap Boutique was originally founded in 2008, with a major focus on the green movement. They have intimate knowledge of the fashion industry and understand that clothing isn’t an appreciating asset. Consigning clothing can help consignors get a financial return while contributing towards a cleaner environment, and they even have the option to consign for a cause and donate their earnings to a non-profit organization. This recycling method helps customers indulge in quality clothing at affordable prices without having to sacrifice large chunks of their income, reducing overall fashion waste and helping the environment along with the economy.

According to a company spokesperson: “Inflation and unfavorable environmental conditions have made clothing made from high-quality, natural materials impossibly expensive for the common man to buy. This results in consumers buying low-quality apparel from fast fashion companies who don’t comply with environmental regulations and excessively mix their clothing with synthetic materials that are often not as comfortable or long-lasting as their alternatives. Swap Boutique focuses on quality rather than quantity, and our inventory is ever-changing based on the style, condition, designer, and season. So, you’re sure to find trendy pieces in top-notch conditions that will last years!”

While COVID-19 caused constraints in the supply and demand in the past 2 years, the global fashion industry is aiming for a full recovery in 2022. However, shoppers will also face price jumps averaging out to 3% across all apparel and clothing, with 15% of polled executives in this year’s State of Fashion 2022 report claiming that they plan on increasing prices by around 10% or more. This is due to a combination of rising shipping costs, material shortages, and transportation bottlenecks, making consignment stores such as Swap Boutique an economical option for those who are tight on money or simply want to make a positive contribution to the environment.

The average life span of a single item of clothing is around 5.4 years, so wearing high-quality clothes that can easily last double that time can reduce clothing waste along with an individual’s water and carbon footprints by a significant amount. Around 50% of people throw unwanted items of clothing into the trash instead of donating or selling it off, resulting in 64% of a year’s garment production ending up in a landfill where it takes decades, or even centuries, to biodegrade. Recycling and reusing high-quality clothing with the help of consignment stores seems like the best solution to counter this environmental tragedy.

Swap Boutique encourages consumers to invest in luxury clothing and go green with their Swap Perks Loyalty Program. Launched in 2015, customers can sign up to earn points and redeem them for exclusive savings. Every dollar spent on the store allows customers to earn one point, while every 250 points provide a credit of 10$ that is redeemable on the next purchase. Some additional perks include birthday discounts, along with instant information about events and promotions.

About the Company
Swap Boutique is an online couture consignment store that provides affordable clothing and accessories to fashion enthusiasts in the U.S. Their physical store is located in New Orleans as well as Baton Rouge where interested buyers can discover even more options. They stock only high-quality designer clothing based on the current season.