This post was originally posted on August 4th, 2010. I’ve been feeling inspired lately to gather some friends for another one of these and though you might like to cap off your summer with some “new” additions to your wardrobe, too.
Looking for a way to update your wardrobe for free and have some fun girl time while you’re at it? (Sounds almost too good to be true, right?)
Today we’re talking all about clothing exchanges: the what, why and how to what I think is one of the best ways to both add to and slim down what’s in your closet; it’s a way to reuse and save money, and it includes some quality time with your girlfriends, too.
What is a clothing exchange?
A clothing exchange is a get-together among friends. Each participant brings a selection of clothes to add to what we’ll call the stash, and then comes home with a “new” selection of clothes, chosen from the stash. Think of it as decluttering your closet and then shopping your friends’ clothes, for free!
Why hold a clothing exchange?
Eventually, many of us outgrow our clothes. Whether it’s physically, emotionally, seasonally, or just due to boredom or a change of what’s en vogue, the time will someday come to say goodbye to a piece of clothing. At that time, we can repurpose them or donate them to a friend, family member, or charity, especially if they’re still in good condition.
Getting together with friends to exchange clothes you no longer need is the most efficient way to empty your closet of the old and also bring home something “new to you.” Sometimes all we need is one new piece to really bring our wardrobe back to life. A new belt, jacket, skirt or a pair of shoes can do just the trick. Not to mention, you’ll have a few friends present to give you their opinion on a potential new outfit, too.
With a little planning, it’s easy to organize a much-anticipated event for your friends.
Photo by abbyladybug
How to organize a clothing exchange
- Plan a time, pick a place and send out an evite.
- Set a specific time; a one-hour window is enough time to “shop” and won’t be overwhelming for the hostess.
- Invite many, but limit the guest list. You don’t want the event to be overwhelming. Our parties have been limited to ten participants, give or take. It’s first come, first RSVP, although guests are always encouraged to forward the evite on to more friends to get the word out.
- Organize child care if necessary. My friend who has hosted in the past has a willing husband who has watched the kiddos as they run around and play in the backyard, giving us time to hang out and “shop” the stash. Another option is to have moms pitch-in, and hire a babysitter for an hour or so. Or better yet, plan an evening swap after kids are in bed.
- Make it a pot luck. Snacks are fun to have on hand, and guests can be asked to help bring some. Maybe even share a bottle of wine while you exchange if it’s an evening event.
- Give and take. My hostess has a general rule that you can take home the same amount of items you bring. This gets more and more flexible though if the group meets regularly. Our exchanges were every few months for a while, and our hostess stored the extras until next time, to keep the stash full enough that we can each take home a few extras. If the hostess is short on space though, she can offer to make a quick drop at Goodwill after the event, starting each time with a clean slate.
- Get organized. In an open, cleared-out space, you’ll want to lay out a sheet or blanket and have like items together, maybe even with labels. Pants, skirts, shorts/capris, tanks, blouses, t-shirts, jackets, dresses, accessories, maternity, and sleepwear is how our stash is usually divided.
- Have “fitting rooms.” Designate areas where guests can try clothes on, such as bathrooms and bedrooms with mirrors.
- Optional: kids items. Sometimes we also have a section for tubs of kids clothes. These will require some digging, but offer another chance to exchange the old/outgrown with the “new.”
- Turn on some tunes, start “shopping” and have fun with the girls!
I’m always amazed at how many cute items I find that have been “cast off” by a friend. And I love seeing something I had grown tired of being brought to life again on someone else. My husband always laughs at me the week after an exchange when we arrive at church and he sees me pointing out my all old clothes on all my friends.
Have you ever been to or organized a clothing exchange? Any tips to share?
About Nicole
Hmmm, I’ve never been to (or heard of) a clothing exchange. It’s a great idea though. Something to think about doing myself.
A clothing exchange sounds like a great idea. I tend to bring everything I have to goodwill, but this sounds like a fun thing to do with friends!
I love getting “new” old clothes and purging the stuff I don’t wear, but most of my friends are different sizes. Do you have any tips?
That is tricky, but not too uncommon. I think a larger cross-section would help, so maybe organizing a big one with a church or social group where you could organize all the clothes into type AND size. The smaller swap works great when there is a smaller range of sizes, although to be honest, we had a pretty good range at our swaps too. I say as long as there are 2-3 people who wear around the same size you could still do well. Hope that helps!
I live near a college town. There is a local restaurant / hang out for college young adults that hosts a Clothing Swap twice a year. I took my older teens, with some of their clothes, and they each found a handful of items to take home. Even though we didn’t know anyone – it was still a GREAT time! I sat back while the teens (boy & girl) shopped the swap.
How fun!
Love these. I am hosting one at the end of the month but having everyone drop off their bag the week prior to give me time to sort and organize for quick viewing/shopping. I am also passing out “tickets” (1 per item) to be used to “purchase” new stuff (1 per item) to help everyone keep track of their own numbers. I really like the idea of doing this regularly and I think I will start planning now for the next one!
Oh, great ideas, bek!! Having the time to organize is brilliant and I like the ticket idea, too!
This is an excellent idea for spending an evening with friends. We all have the benefits of shopping and enjoying each others’ company!
That sounds like fun! What a neat idea!
This is an AWESOME idea! I just got a box of clothes from a friend today who’s moved cross country to a different climate and has decided to downsize her summer wardrobe; I got new skirts, dresses, and tops. My husband was laughing at how excited I was. There used to be some great biannual consignment sales where I used to live, but in this state they aren’t nearly as well stocked and tended as the children’s sales (which are how we get most of our kids’ clothes). I think this would be a great way to fill that gap!
We had one a few weeks ago out in the backyard. Made cocktails and nutella cheesecakes.
We encouraged guests to bring along a friend or sister, especially someone their same size or someone whose clothes they loved. We didn’t limit how much you could take. So often someone would find something and call to a friend, “Hey! This would be perfect foryou!” It was sooooo fun!
I met a women and her little daughter while we visited a new park, we like to find new random Parks around our community to explore!, and she invited us to her apartment to see their garden and their pile of exchange clothes left outside and even bigger one in her living room! I found a shirt that day!
))
Since then I became inspired to host this! There is a website called “meetup.com” I’m thinking of making this into a meetup and hosting once a month! Possible name….”Rhode Island’s monthly trade event”