Hosting a clothing swap is one of most sustainable ways to shop. You can get rid of gently used items that no longer spark joy for you, but may spark joy for someone else. It’s hands down one of the most easiest ways to bring in new pieces at without spending a dime. Here are some creative ideas to help you host a swap of your own!
Set some guidelines.
Invite a variety of friends.
- Inviting friends with different tastes and styles increases the chances of everyone leaving with at least one item. If you are expecting a larger group, having a mix of sizes is a good idea as well.
- You can host intimate groups as small as 4 people, depending on the space. You could go larger to 10, 15 and more , but keep in mind that a larger group the larger the scale of evenly distributing items fairly. Some people use point systems or take turns per groups.
Set some guidelines.
- 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.
- 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.
- Figure a way organize each section of clothing (tops, pants, dresses, accessories, etc) so that shopping is easier.
- Determine an area to use as a dressing room with a mirror. If you are hosting at a venue, try finding a room divider or pop up changing tent.
Curate an experience!
- Serve snacks, or host at a restaurant. Play some music or hire a Dj for larger groups, bust out the bubbly if you really want to turn it up a notch
- This can be a great time to catch up with friends, create networking opportunities 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.
