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by Carley Lake |
Last Updated: May 29, 2020 The most sustainable way to buy a new outfit is to not buy anything at all and wear what is already in our closet. But what if we want or even need something we don’t have, say a blazer for an upcoming job interview? We can expand this statement out a bit—the most sustainable way to get dressed is to wear what we, our friends, grandmas, coworkers, neighbors, significant others, and even strangers already have in our closets. And we find these items at clothing swaps!
Clothing swaps allow for the “newness” and freshness we want, without the waste and depletion of resources of buying new.
But where can we find a local clothing exchange near me and you and even better—how can we host our own? What are the clothing swap rules? Read on for my tips and tricks and meet the organizations bringing this act to the mainstream.
Clothing Swaps Rules
A few clothing swap rules can set you up for successful clothing swaps.
1. Tell your friends to start going through their closets and look for items they would want to bring to clothing swaps.
We only wear 20% of our wardrobe so I am sure there is something they can give up. Depending on how many people you want to host you can have your friends ask coworkers and their other groups of friends if they are interested in taking part in clothing swaps.
Tip: Some people may be turned off by going through racks of “old” clothes. Once they find their next favorite holiday dress this fear will fade but we must get them in the door. Include snacks and wine with your swap. Maybe pair it will a book club or TV-watching night (cough, The Bachelor) you already hold. Make the clothing swaps themed, do a potluck, or even better tie a small entry fee to a charity donation.
2. Once you know the group you would like to bring together send out an invite for the clothing swaps.
Add the tempting levers in the note to get them in the clothing swap door. This is an important part of the clothing swap rules!
Tip: If you don’t have a set date and want to find a time that works for most people, send out a Doodle and ask people to fill in by a certain date. You choose day and time options for the clothing swaps and then friends fill in the times that work best for them. You will get to the most popular time without having to send 20+ emails.
3. In the invite let the invitees know 2 dates—the day of the clothing swap (or to fill in the Doodle) and when they need to drop the items off at your home or swap party location.
The reason to have people drop items off prior to the event is to avoid set up during the event when you want to relax and hang with your friends. Make it as easy for yourself as possible by saying they must drop off during a 5 hour period you are already going to be home doing laundry or hanging out.
Tip: To really show the value of clothes and that these items are more than #OOTD, have friends attach notes about their favorite memories with their pieces for the new owners to see.
4. Prior to the swap, go through all items and decide how many points or what color group each falls into.
You can also do this with a friend if you want to gut-check how you are valuing items.
I recommend a point system vs. saying okay all dresses are red chips, all jackets are yellow chips, etc. Being more specific with points helps to make sure friends with more well-made items (Stella McCartney vs. Forever 21) get more points to use for swapping. For example, you could say designer jeans ~$170 are 500 points, designer jackets around $300 are 700 points and J.Crew price-range shirts at $50 are 100 points.
5. Create cute envelopes for each friend with the number of points they have to use in the clothing swaps.
If a person gave items worth 1,000 points then they have 1,000 points to use during the swap.
6. Party day! If you have clothing racks this would be the best for displaying the items.
If not no worries. Put them on tables and group by type. You can start with snacks and drinks and then head into full swap mode. Let friends know it is okay if no one takes their items—it happens! Also, if people have leftover points you can have these roll over to the next swap.
Tip: With leftover items do a last call (free and no points needed) or see mend and upcycle the items for the next swap. Do you know how to sew? Have a friend who does? You can even set up a mini mending station if you notice an item has a tare and needs some TLC while at the swap. If no one wants the items then donate. (Donation may not always be the most sustainable answer so find other ways to make use first.)
7. Remind your friends to share photos wearing the swapped items with each other.
Don’t forget this important piece of the clothing swap rules! How cool to see an item being used and worn in a totally new way by someone else, valued and not thrown away. Even better, ask your friends to post on social and share the swap life with others and spread the sustainable act.
I hope these clothing swap rules were helpful. Message me on social if you have any changes to add.
Clothing Swaps 101: Clothing Exchanges Near Me And You
Clothing swaps are popping up in Los Angeles to Taiwan. A quick search should help you find clothing exchanges near me and you. However, if none show up it might be time to host. 🙂
I have found many clothing exchanges near me (in major markets I’ll note—San Francisco and Amsterdam) via searching “clothing swap” or “clothing swap party” on Facebook Events and Eventbrite.
Organizations around the globe are also setting swap standards and have some super swaps. Find clothing exchanges near me and you through these networks:
Fashion Revolution x Global Fashion Exchange Clothing Swaps
Fashion Revolution’s mission is to unite the fashion industry and ignite a revolution to radically change the way our clothes are sourced, produced and purchased. They believe that collaborating across the whole supply chain; from farmer to consumer; is the only way to transform the entire industry.
This Fashion Revolution Week from the 20th to the 26th of April 2020, Fashion Revolution is joining forces with Global Fashion Exchange (GFX) to make the largest swap.
They are looking for people all over the world to host and/or attend their own swaps and document their events across the week. Fashion Revolution and GFX will provide how-to guides, promotional tools, advice, and support along the way.
Want to start swapping soon? You can search for swaps all year long on Fashion Revolution’s events page and add your swap events to its list too.
Global Fashion Exchange Swap Shop (NYC) Clothing Swaps
The Global Fashion Exchange developed the first brick and mortar Swap Shop in New York City. The idea is simple, drop your clothes off to receive points that can be redeemed at the Swap Shop at The Canvas any time. With a constant stream of fantastic fashions coming in every week in partnership with Goodwill NYNJ the swapping never stops.
The Clothing Exchange (Australia) Clothing Swaps
The Clothing Exchange has become a regular event for swappers in venues across Australia. They currently host regular events in Melbourne, Sydney, and Tassie, and also offer corporate and council hosting services, swaps for schools, and can assist with charity fundraisers. Reach out if you need help with your swapping vision.
Swap Til You Drop (Asia) Clothing Swaps
Swap ‘Til You Drop! provides a space in Bangkok, Thailand, to swap as well as repair items. The swap has also been in Yangon, Myanmar, and will also be running in Vietnam and China later this year.
GreenStiched (India) Clothing Swaps
GreenStitched works to inspire action on sustainable fashion in India through talks, swaps, and film screenings. SwapStitched, the swapping events held by the group, have helped people swap more than 300 clothing items across Bangalore and Mumbai.
Happy swapping! I hope you find some great clothing exchanges near me and you!