Hosting a clothing swap with friends is a great way to get rid of gently used items that are no longer working for you, but that someone else may covet. It’s also one of the most sustainable ways to “shop” and a fun way to bring in new pieces at no cost. Here are some guidelines to help you host a swap of your own. Get creative and have fun with it!
Invite a mix of friends
Don’t be afraid to invite friends with different tastes and styles. If you are inviting a larger group, having a mix of sizes is a good idea as well.
You can have a group as small as 4 people, but depending on the space you could go larger to 8, 12 and beyond. Keep in mind that a larger group will require some management like taking turns so everyone gets a fair shot to pick items they like.
Establish some guidelines
Identify how many pieces your group is swapping. You may want to set a minimum and/or maximum.
Make sure all clothes are good quality/condition.
Make sure everyone knows if the swap includes accessories like shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, handbags.
Determine a system
Organize each section of clothing (tops, pants, dresses, accessories, etc).
Determine an area to use as a dressing room with a mirror.
Make it a fun
Serve snacks, turn up the tunes and bust out the bubbly if you feel like being festive!
This can be a great time to catch up with friends and have fun. Make it a party if you want to go all out or keep it simple with some light beverages.
Donate what is left to charity
Any leftover items can be donated to the charity or organization of your choice.
Items that have rips or stains beyond repair should be recycled. Encourage your guests to bring items that are in good shape (lightly used) unless you’d like to facilitate recycling drop off for the group. You can check out our post on Where to Recycle Old Clothes for more information.
