Want to Host Your Own Clothing Swap? Here’s How!
Swapping clothes doesn’t have to be a one-on-one thing between you and a friend. Hosting and organizing a clothing swap can be a fun way to get all your friends together, practice sustainability, and get some new clothes, all in one go!
Here are a few tips to set your plans in motion.
Invite a Variety of People
Spread the word to everyone you know and then some. While a small clothing swap has its merits, it’s important that all shapes and sizes feel represented. Of course, it may be difficult to find clothing for every size out there, but inviting more people increases the likelihood that everyone will walk away feeling satisfied, with clothing that fits.
Don’t Limit the Items
Even if you try your best to invite a variety of people, there’s always a good chance that there’ll be an outlier. But that doesn’t mean that dissatisfaction should be treated as an inevitability!
If a few of your friends find that the available clothing doesn’t fit, encouraging people to bring other items can quickly remedy the issue. Handbags, jewelry, shoes – you name it, people can bring it!
Image Source: Getty Images/Reggie Casagrande
Create a Clear Set of Rules
It's important to lay some ground rules before the swap takes place. A good rule of thumb is to “bring two, take two.” Emphasize that, while people shouldn’t feel pressured to take two items if they don’t like their options, they can’t go over the limit. It should be as equal as possible.
Also, don’t overlook cleanliness! Everyone should wash and iron their clothes before bringing them.
Designate a Changing Room
It’s hard to know if you really like something if you’ve never tried it on. A bathroom or a bedroom could work well for this.
This tip ensures that everyone is satisfied with their choices before taking them home. If you don’t have a full-length mirror, a little fashion show never hurt anybody!
Donate the Leftovers
This might be the most important tip. At this point in the clothing swap, you’ve done everything you can to ensure that everyone enjoys themselves. But there’s always bound to be a few leftovers. Make sure they don’t go to waste! Find a local thrift shop or charity to donate the clothing to. Include it in your invitations, so everyone knows what they’re getting into.
Have Fun!
This is a party, after all! Encourage people to bring their own snacks and refreshments, and make a little potluck out of it.
You’ll want to steer away from greasy finger food, though. A clothing swap’s no good if all the clothes get dirty.
A clothing swap at SUNY New Paltz, 2021. Image Source: https://oracle.newpaltz.edu/campus-clothing-swap/
Online Options
If you’ve made it this far and you’re thinking, “No, I don’t think this is for me,” don’t click away just yet! There are a couple of solid online options for clothes swapping that’ll help you be sustainable from your sofa.
Thredup, the popular online consignment store, allows you to sell your clothing on their site in exchange for credits, which you can cash in for some new clothes.
Swap Society, on the other hand, works a bit differently. For a fee, you can join their website, and are given an allotted amount of “Swapcoin,” which you use to “buy” clothes. You can increase your Swapcoin by donating your clothing to their organization.
Got any other tips you want to share? Let us know in the comments!
Written by Sara Traynor
Sara uses she/her pronouns. Fashion and writing are her two favorite modes of creative expression, and she loves to combine them in SFUSA. In her free time, she does crossword puzzles, reads, and watches SpongeBob.