Second-hand shopping is one of our favourite pastimes. You know us by now: we love to scour charity shops, rummage in vintage boutiques, are fans of clothing swap parties, and you could wake us up in the middle of the night for flea markets. So when we heard about The Swap Shop – with branches in Amsterdam and Rotterdam – we were immediately curious. Saskia went there swapping reports!
The Swap Shop: clothing swaps in Amsterdam
You'll find The Swap Shop, among other places, on the charming Haarlemmerstraat in Amsterdam, which is already home to many great sustainable shops and where you can easily spend an afternoon. It's much better, cosier and more charming than the busy Nieuwendijk or Kalverstraat, if you ask us.
It works very simply: you hand in a maximum of five good (!) items of clothing and get swap points in return. The nicer the item of clothing, the more points you receive. One swap is equal to one euro. You can use these points to get a discount on clothes, shoes, or accessories that others have contributed. And that makes it extra important to bring nice items yourself: the collection consists of what others have contributed. The better the input, the nicer the offering for everyone and the more discount you get. You can pay a maximum of half the price with swaps, the rest you pay on top. So if you see something for €30 and you have 15 swap points? Then you only pay another €15.
Don't have any swaps yet? No problem, you just pay the full price and it works like a regular second-hand shop. And conveniently, you don't have to use your points straight away. You can save them for next time. Or simply take a look first and come back later with a bag full of items to swap.
ALSO INTERESTING: LENA, The Fashion Library in Amsterdam.
Earn a circular gem and save for a discount
Among the shelves full of lovely second-hand finds, some items particularly stand out. Those are the Gemsgarments that are a little more special. Think special brands, special vintage or unique upcycled examples. These pearls will get their own spot in the shop, so you can easily spot them. And it gets even more fun: bring your own such gem Then you'll not only get more swaps, but you can also participate in a savings promotion. Ask in the shop for a stamp card and you'll get a stamp for every item you hand in. Is your card full? Then you'll receive a €25 gift voucher to spend in the shop. So it's a win-win: you help to keep the range nice and surprising, and you'll also be rewarded for it yourself.
The Swap Shop is a unique concept. So, if you're from Amsterdam or will be in the area soon, go and check it out! Watch the video report of our visit here.
Also visit The Swap Shop
For us, The Swap Shop is a real gem in Amsterdam for anyone looking to make their wardrobe more sustainable without compromising on style or fun. And even if you don't bring anything in, you can still enjoy shopping for second-hand items. What's more, for those who want to go beyond just swapping, you can join workshops at the Swapshop Lab, get clothes repaired, or pick up unique upcycled items. Keep an eye on the website and socials Keep an eye out for new Worklabs and Repair Pop-ups!
Want to know more about the concept, opening hours, and events? Check out this amazing place's website!
Address: Haarlemmerdijk 89, Amsterdam, Van Woustraat 52H, Amsterdam, Oude Binnenweg 13 Rotterdam & Weena 70, Rotterdam.
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: second-hand route through the Rivierenbuurt in Amsterdam.
- Also see: TOF Diemen, a fantastic second-hand boutique!
- Also see: Do you know The Clothing Loop?
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
