Last Updated on: 3rd February 2025, 05:01 pm
A new fashion revolution is sweeping the UK, allowing people to refresh their wardrobes without spending a single penny. CLOSWAP, an innovative student-founded app known as the “Tinder for Clothes,” is turning the traditional shopping experience on its head by promoting peer-to-peer swapping instead of buying.
Imagine being offered an instant outfit trade while walking through a busy high street. That’s the spontaneous energy that inspired CLOSWAP—a project launched by three university students in search of an affordable way to update their style.
What began as an impromptu campus event, where hundreds of students exchanged clothes, has evolved into the UK’s leading fashion swap app. CLOSWAP is reshaping how people think about their wardrobes, making swapping as convenient as shopping.
Seeing the success of their university experiment, the three founders—who were struggling to afford regular wardrobe updates themselves—realised they were onto something big. They transformed their idea into a full-fledged business, and today, CLOSWAP boasts over 20,000 users and growing.
“At CLOSWAP, we want the pace, price, and practicality of fast fashion to be matched by swapping,” says co-founder Maria Remy.
“That’s why we host events and built the app. It’s fast, engaging, and free, with the added bonus of building an IRL community. For students like us, it’s not just about fashion—it’s about giving everyone the opportunity to constantly upgrade their wardrobe without spending money, EVER. You already have the currency; it’s in your closet!”
The company is gearing up for expansion, with planned swap events in Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and Birmingham. These events, featuring live music and interactive activities, bring the CLOSWAP community together in person, while the app keeps things exciting through its Karma Points rewards system.
With Britons discarding clothing after an average of just seven wears, CLOSWAP aims to change that by making swapping the norm. By connecting wardrobes across the country, the platform is promoting a circular fashion economy where stylish outfits remain in circulation longer.
After winning the prestigious 2024 Mayor of London’s Entrepreneurship Award for Creative Industries, CLOSWAP has cemented itself as a leader in sustainable fashion. Now part of multiple startup accelerators and a Resolution Fellow, the team is looking ahead to further expansion, while raising its seed round under the SEIS advanced assurance scheme.
The app is available to download on the App Store and Google Play.To find out more, click here.
