Belgium/The rotating pregnancy suitcase, a concept for sharing between mothers
It's a simple but effective idea! The rotating maternity suitcase enables expectant mothers to wear maternity clothes without spending a penny. It's a concept based on sharing and mutual assistance between moms, while promoting an eco-responsible attitude.
It's a suitcase full of maternity clothes and accessories, which I've collected from the many mothers who have kindly donated them," explains Caroline Haas, a resident of Brabant-Wallon and the project's creator. "I launched this concept at the end of my first pregnancy. I said to myself: I'm going to make a suitcase with all the clothes I've been lent, and I'm going to offer it on a Facebook group called 'Maman, future maman ' to an expectant mother so that she too can benefit from all these clothes without having to buy.And as time went by, in fact, there was a real craze around this concept."
This initiative responds to an obvious need: maternity clothes, which are often expensive and rarely used after the birth of a child, represent a significant expense for mothers-to-be. "On average, a pregnant woman could spend between 200 and 600 euros on a complete maternity wardrobe," points out Caroline. With the arrival of a baby, families are faced with numerous expenses , and finding economical solutions becomes crucial. The rotating pregnancy suitcase therefore offers a free alternative, enabling expectant mothers to benefit from suitable clothing without spending any money.
An ethical and ecological sharing system
One of the most interesting aspects of this initiative is its commitment to the values of sharing and non-consumerism. "This concept supports the beautiful values of sharing, solidarity, exchange and a greener attitude," says Caroline. Indeed, fast fashion is one of the most polluting industries in the world, and encouraging the reuse of clothes inevitably helps to reduce the carbon footprint. By opting for second-hand clothes, like those in the Revolving Suitcase, moms can help preserve the environment while supporting a circular economy.
When I became pregnant with my third son, I wanted to try out the concept because I didn't have many maternity clothes. But, above all, because I thought it was great to be able to give new life to clothes. It's really part of the zeitgeist, everything to do with circularity, recycling, reuse..." Caroline adds, in fact, "that it avoids all this over-consumption for clothes that will ultimately last nine months or maybe a little longer."
Simple, effective operation
The concept of the rotating pregnancy suitcase is based on a few essential rules. Caroline insists on "the importance of respecting these rules to maintain the spirit of sharing. Moms-to-be obviously can't sell or keep clothes! Those who borrow the suitcase agree to take good care of the clothes and return them clean and in good condition." The suitcases contain a variety of clothes, ranging from size S to XL, enabling expectant mothers to find items to suit their changing morphology. Caroline explains that "there 's everything in this suitcase: from pants to leggings, from swimwear to pyjamas and nursing bras," This diversity is essential to meet the varied needs of moms throughout their pregnancy.
A show of solidarity between mothers
The rotating pregnancy suitcase is more than just a simple exchange of clothes. It creates a real network of solidarity between moms. "I'd like to keep it as diverse as possible, so that everyone can enjoy it," confides Caroline. In the guestbook added to each suitcase, moms can share their advice, anecdotes and encouragement, strengthening the bonds between participants. The sharing dynamic is also strengthened by the way the group operates: "whenever a mom has finished using the suitcase, she can announce her availability to the group, enabling another mom to grab it."
By encouraging the reuse of maternity clothes and sharing between moms, the rotating pregnancy suitcase is part of a sustainable approach. In addition to reducing pregnancy-related expenses, it helps raise awareness among moms of the need for more responsible consumption. At a time when environmental issues are crucial, initiatives like this are to be applauded. The rotating pregnancy suitcase demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile economy, ecology and solidarity. Caroline concludes with optimism: "I hope my suitcases will make beautiful journeys that will last a long time and make many happy. "So, thanks to innovative ideas like Caroline's, motherhood can become not only a moment of joy, but also an opportunity to promote positive values for our planet.
Source: www.rtbf.be/
