Iris x Genny Thrift clothing swap creates necessary opportunity for students

Geneseo students looking through clothing and swapping new pieces of clothing with things that they brought (Photo courtesy of Iris Magazine).

On Friday, Apr. 5, Iris and Genny Thrift collaborated to host a clothing swap for SUNY Geneseo students. The clothing swap took place inside the Macvittie Union in the Fireside Lounge with students being encouraged to bring clothes that they no longer wear or weren’t a good fit. The clothes were then collected and spread out onto tables, allowing for students to pick out something new. 

Iris is a queer student-run magazine at Geneseo that produces a new edition every semester. Submissions for this semester have closed, but next semester a new issue and its associated theme will be created and students are encouraged to send in their creative pieces for submission. Iris provides queer students on campus with a safe space to express themselves and share their experiences, as being queer means something different to every single person.

Genny Thrift, on the other hand, introduces a sustainable alternative to fast fashion for students. Many Geneseo students shop at the local Goodwill and other thrift stores, but Genny Thrift provides an opportunity for students to get new clothes right on campus. The group has hosted and co-hosted many “pop-up” thrift events for students and are working towards creating a permanent space on campus for students, though all good things take time. 

Together, these two groups worked to provide Geneseo with a sustainable, comfortable, and convenient event for students to get new clothes. The event catered to queer students with its elimination of “men’s” and “women’s” clothing sections. Most department and clothing stores follow this pattern of dividing clothing by gender, which can often make shopping a disheartening and stressful experience. It also catered to those interested in sustainability with its “swap,” cycling clothes that already exist instead of purchasing a new article altogether. 

I spoke with first-year student June Bucci who works as the social media coordinator for Iris. Bucci said, “We love working with Genny Thrift, it’s been so much fun. I’m a freshman so I’ve never done a clothing swap. It’s great, so many people [showed up]; so many more than we were expecting.” This statement is extremely accurate, as I attended the event very briefly but saw over 15 students participating in the short time I was there. The event ran for two hours, allowing students to stop by before or after class. 

Bucci also mentioned Iris’s weekly meetings which take place on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m in room 324 in the union. With members of the executive board graduating at the end of this semester, they are also looking forward to new students joining both the executive board and club more generally. 

Part of the reason that these two clubs have worked so well together may be a result of their goal to provide Geneseo students with new and necessary opportunities. Whether the opportunity is for sustainable clothing or a place to express themselves, both clubs work tirelessly to provide for Geneseo students. 

Be sure to follow both clubs on Instagram at @gennythrift and @iris.geneseo to see all future upcoming events!