If you haven't been to a clothing swap yet, you are missing out on a growing phenomenon. It isn't new, but it is catching on. A clothing swap is the best place to raid a friend's closet AND divest yourself of the clothes you don't enjoy anymore. Most important, it's a good excuse to throw a party.
The idea is to bring your clothes, accessories, and shoes - anything that is still in good shape, that you don't want or that doesn't fit - and add it to a pile of clothes from other guests. Then dive in and pull out new outfits for yourself.
My roommate and I recently hosted our own swap. We each invited a handful of ladies and provided drinks and nibbles. As our guests arrived we sorted the clothes into piles of shirts, pants, skirts and dresses, shoes and accessories. Then in a somewhat civilized manner we began tossing through the piles and trying on everything. I made out with a totally new wardrobe and my friends are wearing clothes I don't fit into anymore. By the way, guys can swap too. Come to think of it, moms could swap kids clothes.
Here are a few tips to having a successful Clothing Swap:
- Pick a date a few weeks in advance to allow your guests time to go through their closets.
- Send out email invitations and post your Clothing Swap Party on your Facebook page. If you have the space, let your friends bring their friends too.
- Be sure to include your address and directions and ask for help with snacks and drinks.
- Send out a reminder the day before. Remind them that in addition to clothes they should bring accessories and shoes.
- Borrow extra full length mirrors and if your swap is open for both men and women, be sure to have dressing rooms available.
- The swap will last a comfortable two hours, maybe more if you have "fashionably late" guests. Just a reminder that late comers don't get the benefit of all the clothes presented before they arrive.
- Plan for Goodwill or a charity of your choice to pick up the remaining items. Your guests should retrieve anything they want to keep or bring to the next swap.
Finally, enjoy the new-to-you wardrobe you just acquired and embrace the complements you'll receive from your friends and co-workers.
If you've got a few treasures that don't get swapped and they are the right season, take them to a
consignment store in the East Bay - like
Crossroads Trading Company. This is just one fun way to reduce and reuse clothes.
Images Credit: Jennifer Hallstrom