We all have one of those pieces in our closet: the halter-top onesie, the red pants that just needed a little tailoring… You bought it with the best intentions, but just haven’t figured out how or where to wear it. So it sits, maybe still with the tags on, just collecting dust. You’d get rid of it, but you don’t want to contribute to the 68 lbs of clothing that the average US citizen adds to landfills each year. Sound familiar?

If you’re looking for a guilt-free way to find a new home for that piece, and perhaps find something a little more you in the process, you’re in luck.

Introducing the Substance Style Exchange!

During March and April, we’re launching this quarterly event to help minimize that mostly non-biodegradable waste from polluting our environment—and also to provide our tribe of environmentally conscious fashionistas a place to trade a new or gently used and relevant wardrobe item. Attend a Substance Style Exchange and find your piece a new home in the closet of someone with more immediate plans for those pieces that just haven’t found their place in your day-to-day wardrobe.

Here’s how it works.

Drop off one new or gently used item you plan to exchange at your closest Substance location anytime during the two weeks leading up to the event. Your item should be clean and ready to wear. We will register and place your piece on the preview rack, allowing you and our other Substance patrons to peruse the items that will be available for trade during the event.

At the Style Exchange Event, we’ll have refreshments and loads of great product, alongside our über creative team of stylists to help you execute your trade.

• You may chose one item from the exchange, regardless of whether or not your item is chosen by someone else.

• If your item is not chosen by another event patron, you can take it home at the end of the event or we will donate it to either Goodwill or our local chapter of Dress for Success.

• If your item is chosen by another patron you receive a 20% discount on all your Substance purchases during the event.

• Two-way trades are not required so if someone desires to take home the item you bring, you are not obligated to take home what that person brought to the exchange.

• All Style Exchange Event attendees receive special pricing on Substance merchandise purchased during the event.

So after you finish reading this, go take a good look at your closet. Develop your wish list of what you need for spring and set aside that fabulous handbag, blouse, dress or necklace that you can live without. With exception to the price you paid for the item that you plan to exchange, participation in this event is absolutely FREE, which means you have the chance to find one or a few great new pieces for your spring wardrobe while doing minimal harm to your wallet and the environment.

Mark your calendars for the next Style Exchange event at the Substance location near you.

Over-the-Rhine: Friday, March 29th, 6-9pm
Any time between now and the event on Friday, March 29th from 6-9pm, you can bring in your item and place it on the style exchange preview rack. You can browse the rack before the event but you’ll need to stop in from 6-9pm on Friday, March 29th to make your exchange.

Short North: Thursday, April 18th, 6-9pm
Any time beginning on Thursday, April 4th, and until the exchange event on Thursday, April 18th from 6-9pm you can bring in your item and place it on the style exchange preview rack. You can browse the rack before the event but you’ll need to stop in from 6-9pm on Thursday, April 18th to make your exchange.

See you there!