New plus-sized clothing swaps provide accessible support in Springfield

A new community event is celebrating plus-size bodies in a cost-effective, accessible way.

Over the past year, Springfield resident Camille Ball has hosted four plus-size clothing swaps and is looking to host another next month. The purpose of the swaps is for plus-size folks to have an opportunity to share and find "fun, fashionable" clothing at no cost.

During a swap, plus-sized folks are encouraged to bring unwanted, gently used clothing to share with others. All clothing brought to a swap is up for grabs for free. If there are unwanted clothes remaining at the end of the swap, Ball donates them to a local charity. So far, she's donated clothes to Harmony House, Missouri State University's Transitions Closet and the YouthConnect Center.

Ball's upcoming swap is on Sunday, Sept. 29 from noon to 4 p.m. at The Third Place, located at 416 W. Commercial St. The swap will be focused on late summer and early fall clothing. Ball said she accepts clean, gently-used (no large stains or holes) clothing at the swaps. Folks should bring their own bags and be considerate of how many items they take home. The Third Place's bathrooms will be available for trying on clothes.

Ball said the idea to host her first swap a year ago came from the lack of stores in town that offer reasonably-priced, trendy plus-sized clothing.

"In Springfield, there is only one store dedicated to plus-sized clothing ... They are a company notorious for being financially (inaccessible). Jeans are about $80. Their clothes are not trendy. They're not most people's style," Ball said. "If you want to buy clothing secondhand now, there are only a few places that have a good selection of plus-sized clothing. And Springfield is so financially inaccessible with thrifting now as well. I can't go to Red Racks (Thrift Store) and buy a shirt for less than $12."

Ball held her first swap in the basement of Sunshine Lanes in September 2023. She said about 12 folks stopped by. For the last three swaps, Ball held them at the now defunct Green House Coffee & Affogato Bar downtown. She said turnouts have ranged from 10 to more than 30 people.

The reception Ball has received from the community about the swaps has only been positive.

"I had one person reach out to me that she was living in poverty for the last two to three years and the clothes that she got from the clothing swap, she actually was able to wear them to a job interview that helped her get the job that she is currently at," Ball said.

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At another swap, Ball helped an individual find gender-affirming clothing.

"It's refreshing," Ball said. "It just feels nice to know that there are other people experiencing the things you do," Ball said. "We're all coming together, without even thinking, to help each other and have a good time."

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@news-leader.com .

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: New plus-sized clothing swaps provide accessible support in Springfield