The third annual Feminist Clothing Swap, hosted by Carolina Advocates for Gender Equity (CAGE), will bring a mission of sustainability, accessibility and gender equity to the Pit on Monday, Feb. 17.
CAGE is an organization that works to eliminate gender-based discrimination and create comfortable environments for all. Recently, they have been advocating for more gender-neutral bathrooms around campus and on Franklin Street, said Bailey Fattorusso, a co-chair of CAGE.
“The clothing swap lets people explore their identity through clothes and be able to buy whatever clothes they feel like in a low-pressure environment,” Fattorusso said.
Coulture Magazine, a fashion and lifestyle magazine run by UNC students, is also partnering with CAGE for the event. Caroline Farrell is the editor-in-chief of Coulture.
“It’s not separated for men and women,” Farrell said. “It’s just shirts and sweaters over here, skirts and pants over here.”
For many, said Farrell, clothing is a major form of identity expression.
“Clothing is an incredibly visible, strong and powerful way we choose to represent ourselves,” Farrell said. “And with feminism and gender equity in CAGE, clothing grants a lot of power towards trans folks being able to represent their gender expression in a way that best captures who they are.”
One key element of the Feminist Clothing Swap is price — all items are three for $5, making it financially accessible for all students.
“There’s an economic justice aspect of it,” Fattorusso said. “These clothes are very cheap. If you are someone with a low income or maybe don’t have access to clothes for whatever reason, this is a really great opportunity to make sure you have good clothes, warm clothes and clean clothes.”
