Step By Step Guide For How to Organize a Clothing Swap

If you want to save money and avoid fast fashion, learning how to organize a clothing swap can help you achieve both of those things! 

I love thrifting but sometimes it is nice to just trade clothes with friends or neighbors. That way you know the clothes are in good condition, you don’t have to spend money and your friend walks away with something cool too! 

This step-by-step guide will teach you exactly how to host a clothing swap so that you have a successful event! 

This post is all about how to host a clothing swap.

What is a clothing swap?

A clothing swap is a great way to get new clothes by trading your unwanted clothes with other peoples unwanted clothes.

Rather than dropping your old clothes off at a local charity or selling the clothing you can rehome it to your friends. These events are a great way to save money, keep clothing out of the landfills, and not participate in fast fashion. There are so many benefits of a clothing swap party and I know this guide will help you to offer a successful one!

How to Host a Clothing Swap Party

1. Choose a day, time, and location that is convenient for everyone

So starting with the details, be sure to be mindful of when and where you choose to host your clothing swap event that way the maximum amount of people can make it! 

Weekends and evenings tend to be a good time for community events and of course, steer clear of holidays. 

Here are some locations for where to host a clothing swap: 

• Your living room (if it’s with close friends)
• A local park 
• Community center 
• Rented space (coffee shops, local restaurants etc.) 
• Consider making it an online event where people can post photos and mail the clothing (great for long-distance besties!)

Just be sure there is enough space for both guests and the clothing to fit comfortably. 

2. Create invitations for your clothing swap event

Spend some time designing cute invitations for your clothing swap to send out to your guest list! I love using Canva to make invitations-it’s free! You can print them off or send them digitally through email or social media. 

Don’t forget to add the rules of the swap meet on the invitation to avoid awkwardness and so that everyone can prepare. (more on the clothing swap rules later!). It can also be helpful to add the benefits of a clothing swap party to the invite as well.

These invitations are great if you are having your swap with just a group of friends. For larger events, consider creating a Facebook group.

{RECOMMENDED POST: How to Extend the Life of Your Clothes? Care For Your Clothes With These 9 Simple Tips} 

4. Create a set of clothing swap party rules to ensure everything runs smoothly 

The rules for your clothing swap will look different depending on many factors but here are some things rules to consider adding to your list:

• Clothes should be clean and in good condition (no stains, pilling, rips etc.) 
• Decide what items are acceptable (winter clothes, accessories, shoes etc.)
• Decide how much each person can bring and swap that way everyone walks away with something amazing! (one-for-one swap, token system etc.)
• Let guests know that sizing will range. 
• Let participants know what will happen with leftover items 
• Any venue specific rules. (no pets, parking rules etc.)
• Ask guests to bring reusable bags to carry their new items 
• Let people know there will be a changing area available and returns can’t be made 

5. Set up before the clothing swap 

Get there early and make sure everything is organized. This will help the whole process to run smoothly and will take any stress out of the event.

It can be helpful to have a check in table where you can display the rules and collect the clothes they are swapping. 

Here are some other things to consider having on the day of the event:

• Full-length mirror for people to try on clothes and accessories
• Pop-up changing rooms to try on clothes 
• Some music or decor if you are having a themed swap (ex.Christmas, spring clean etc.) 
• Consider offering light snacks and drinks! Just ask that people keep it away from the clothes. 
• Make sure to have enough tables and clothing racks to display the clothing in an organized way. It is better to have items hanging so that they stay organized and people don’t have to shuffle through bins of clothes. You can make a clothing rack by using a tension rod or thrift one!
• Organize clothing racks by type of clothing (outerwear, kids clothing etc.)
• Don’t forget to have enough hangers to display the clothes neatly
• If it is a large event, consider having volunteers who can assist “shoppers” and keep the clothing organized. 
• Maybe have a sewing machine at the event in case there needs to be quick fixes. 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 5 Helpful Reminders for Finding Sustainable Kids Clothing} 

6. Make plans for leftover clothes 

Hopefully by using the tips on this list your clothing swap runs smoothly and you and your community walk away with some great new clothing.

Be sure to decide in advance what you want to do with the leftover clothing at the end of the swap. Consider asking the participants for their opinions as well. 

• Donate leftover clothing
• Save the clothing for another swap in the future
• Recycle the clothing at a place that takes clothing 
• Sell the clothing

There are so many benefits to hosting a clothing swap party. It can further a deeper sense of community, give unwanted items a new home and can lessen the environmental impacts of fast fashion. I hope you have a great clothing swap party by using the tips on this list!

Have any other helpful tips for hosting a successful clothing swap? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well.

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Stay well, 

Maggie

This post was all about how to organize a clothing swap.

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