Stylish With Intention: Meet Sustainable Fashion Hub Basically Borrowed

New does not always mean superior.

Sustainable fashion hub Basically Borrowed believes in the same philosophy when it comes to clothes: #WearBetterNotNewer. Founded in 2019 by Jessie Jiang, it started as a clothing rental service before blooming into a community that champions sustainability.

For Basically Borrowed, a "circular future" is the way to go for fashion. But what does this mean? Circular fashion pertains to a system wherein the life of a clothing item is considered in all its stages, from production until the end of its life, so it does not harm the environment.

This means keeping and using articles for as long as possible, including via recycling or upcycling and proper disposal, instead of simply throwing them away and buying new ones. This helps reduce one's waste and carbon footprint.

Basically Borrowed has fostered a meaningful community online and offline as a "curated resale marketplace" and a repository of knowledge and safe space for all things style and sustainable living. It also organizes swap parties where you can exchange clothes in real life with other stylish and sustainability-minded folks of all genders, sizes, and ages.

This April 30, the hub will be holding another swap party at The Astbury in Poblacion, Makati City. The event will be held from 1 PM-6 PM and costs around P500-P800. You may choose to contribute clothes to the event or not. Those who want to contribute have to give a minimum of three and a maximum of 10 items, which will be picked up by Basically Borrowed a week before the event. All clothing items must be in fair and wearable condition.

Those who register for the swap party later than April 23 must bring their own items on the day of the event. All of the items will be free to the attendees, who can take home a maximum of five articles.

The swap party is the perfect event for you to make new connections, gain stylish finds, and do your part in making the world a more sustainable place. You may register here.

To help you in choosing what kind of fashion items to swap, Basically Borrowed has guidelines just for that.

If you cannot join the swap party, don't fret. You can join Basically Borrowed's Fashion Circle community on Facebook! This body-positive safe space welcomes women of all ages and sizes and is apt for discussing style and sustainability concerns.

You may also join Basically Borrowed's Buy, Sell, and Swap Fashion group on Facebook if you want to exchange your fashion items with other sustainable fashionistas!

Lastly, Basically Borrowed's regular insightful content on Instagram is available for you to check out, send to your friends, and put to action anytime and from anywhere.