Consumer Behavior

An Ethnographic Study of Collaborative Consumption: Examining Clothing Swapping

Authors: Elena E Karpova (University of North Carolina at Greensboro) , Iva M Jestratijevic (University of North Texas) , Juyoung Lee (Mississippi State University) , Juanjuan Wu (University of Minnesota)

Abstract

The authors explored partner-based temporary clothing swapping that does not require the transfer of product ownership. Using an ethnographic approach, we disentangled the layered meanings constructed by women before, during, and after exchanging parts of their wardrobes with a swap partner for six months. Maslow's hierarchy of needs was applied for a comprehensive understanding of temporary swapping benefits and barriers. 

Keywords: collaborative consumption, swapping, Maslow's hierarchy, ethnography, sustainable consumption

How to Cite: Karpova, E. E. , Jestratijevic, I. M. , Lee, J. & Wu, J. (2022) “An Ethnographic Study of Collaborative Consumption: Examining Clothing Swapping”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings. 78(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.13520