Clothes Swap Party

On Friday  I went to my first 'ladies only' clothes swap party. It was just what I needed to add some cheer to these dark winter days. Three of us lift shared, all stuffed into the car amongst piles of clothes with  food offerings balanced here and there. When we arrived there were already some people at the party and a pile of clothes lay in the middle of the room. We threw in our contributions.

At first I felt a bit unsure about the etiquette. I mean you can't just dive at something that catches your eye, it's not like the January sales in Dublin! Everybody sort of visually scans the heap, then once you've seen something you like you kinda glance around the room to see if anybody else has honed in on it too. Then it's all very polite and there's a bit of chat about which one of you should try it on first. It was all very exciting as people went in and out to the bedroom, returning to display the clothes they'd put on. There were lots of  'ooohs' and 'aaaahs' as ladies strutted around looking fab. After a while a certain flow developed and everybody rummaged through finding things for themselves and offering suggestions to others. There was even some fab jewelery. It was worth tyring lots of things on because some clothes that looked drab on the floor were transformed and looked fabulous on a lady!

I brought five items with me and left with five. The clothes were lovely and I'm delighted with my swaps. It's great to have some new life in my wardrobe and to think I haven't spent a penny and the clothes have been recycled amongst friends. The few things that were left over will be brought to a local charity shop.  Everybody agreed that the night was great fun and we look forward to the next clothes swap.

Comments

[Jennifer]

What a great idea!

[Lucy @ Smallest Smallholding]

This sounds like a great idea, I guess it feels like although you're giving something away you're getting something 'new' back too. My sister would do well to try this, she's a complete shopholic and at the last count had 60+ tops, countless pairs of shoes and goodness only knows about the handbags....

I think this might also qualify as 'precycling'!

[Gillian]

We do those around here too and one woman even organized a children's clothing shop and pre-collected all the clothes and had them sorted by size. It was fantastic. Children's clothing is surprisingly expensive and they are in them for such a short period of time that it feels good to pass them around.

[French Knots]

We had one too, it was great fun! Something new to wear without spending any money is perfect, as is seeing your clothes looking fab on someone else.

[cliodhna]

how cool!I miss that with my friends.. don't work here in mexico, I am giant amongst small petites... they don't even stock my size shoe in the shops!

[marie]

I think that this is a terrific idea and just perfect for these thrifty times when we all need to watch the pennies. It sounds like a lot of fun too.

Marie x

[Lorna]

Hi Rebecca,

I've just tagged you - hope that's okay.

Lorna

[Jill]

Would you believe that my mom and her friends did hat swaps back in the 1950's, as hats were VERY expensive, and required in daily life. Becoming bored with a hapless selection was relieved by switching amongst friends.

I participated in a clothing swap like yours following childbirth. All of my friends had given birth within the year or so; all of our bodies had shifted around so that our pre-pregnancy clothes all fit strangely with our newly reshaped hips and bustlines. Swapping pre-maternity clothes worked wonders on our self esteems and budgets!

And...another friend and I went on vacation to the seashore. Took underwear and swim suits, and bought everything else we needed from a thrift shop, did laundry once and donate it all back at the end of the week. NO packing hassles that trip!

[Laura Riding]

Hi I was just reading your account of clothes swapping. I am a thirs year student at Sunderland University writing an article on clothes swapping as an alternative to buying brand new items.

I was wondering if you would be able to answer some of my questions?

Where was the swapping event that you went to and what was it called?

What actually happened at the swap?

did you find any bargains to take home with you?

Would you reccommend clothes swapping parties to friends?

Thank you in advance for any information you may be able to send my way.

Laura Riding
University of Sunderland
laura.riding@suinderland.ac.uk

[Posh Swaps]

Clothes swapping is a great idea as not only is it frugal but it is also really environmentally friendly, reducing waste and carbon footprint caused by clothing manufacture.

[Péitseoga]

would love to try it! must ask around at the mother's coffee morning...