Sick of what’s in your closet? Grab a group of friends and score some great new finds — for free!
A clothing swap is great motivation to do a closet purge (a seasonal necessity) and a fun way to connect with friends and update your outfit — at zero cost. Plus, it’s eco-friendly.
To ensure a successful swap, invite at least 10 women whose style you admire; have each person bring three to 12 things in good condition (including jewelry and unopened cosmetics) to trade, suggests Melissa Massello, a co-founder of Swapaholics, which stages clothing exchanges in the Boston area. Don’t worry about guests being different sizes — a roomy dress can be cinched in with a great belt, and accessories work for every size and shape. Consider opening the event to friends of friends as well, and you add to the mix of swappables you get and make things more social. After all, what could be more of an icebreaker than sipping wine and trying on cute clothes with a bunch of your girlfriends?
To be sure your party doesn’t turn into a free-for-all, let guests know that they can take home only the same number of items they’ve brought. Then, swap away! Here are some fun ways to host you own clothing swap:
Get ready
Fashion and fun are the focus here. Keep the vibe casual, with simple invitations and light bites. Create buzz by sending invites (paper or virtual) at least three weeks ahead to give guests time to sort through their closets. Serve non-staining sips such as white wine, fruit-garnished prosecco or spritzers, suggests Swapaholics’ Massello. Provide easy finger food that won’t make a mess, like fresh fruit and veggies, crackers and cheese, and macarons. You don’t want anything requiring too much cleanup.
Pretty it up
While guests are snacking, turn your space into a chic boutique by laying everything out artfully. Arrange accessories on a coffee table and end tables; use a tray, plates or even a bulletin board to display jewelry. Top cleared surfaces with neatly folded shirts. (You don’t want guests to feel as if they’re going through someone’s laundry.)
Display shoes
Lay shoes out in a nice visual display. Just because it’s your living room doesn’t mean you can’t transform the space and make it fun. Two guests want the same thing? Do a walk-off, in which each models the item and the group votes. It’s a win-win, there are no hard feelings and everyone leaves looking fabulous.
