Last week, I went to a friend’s house to do a clothing swap. This is a great way to find new clothes and accessories by rummaging through the wardrobe of your friends. The idea is pretty simple : every participant bring the garment they want to get rid of, then choose their new styles from their friends’ pile. Here is my feedback and my advice for those who want to do the same.
Before the exchange
Unfortunately, this activity requires a little preparation. Each participant must clean up their wardrobe and choose clothes they no longer wear and want to donate. As it is for an exchange and not for the trash, don’t bring the old stained underwear and sweaters with deodorant marks under the arms.
Personally, I sorted out the clothes that I would see my friends wearing, and those that would fit better in a thrift shop (basics, really old fashioned stuff, clothes that will certainly not please my friends, etc.).
I usually have a hard time getting rid of my old clothes, even though I have not worn them for years. I am suffering from the very real syndrome of “one day I’m going to be thin enough” in terms of clothes that do not fit me anymore, in addition to the “one day, I’ll find the outfit to be able to wear that” in the case of items that I have never worn because I could not style it to my satisfaction. I’ll be honest, if it’s been over a year and a half that you have not worn anything, chances are you’ll never do, no matter why you keep it (some people say one year, but I give myself a little bit more, just in case…).
Cleaning my closet was especially easy this time, as I thought it was for my friends. What a pleasure to give a second chance to this too short dress, this jacket that gives me the air of a Michelin man or my 50th plaid shirt (I think that plaid shirts have become a trademark in my case … )! In my opinion, the exchange of clothes is a good way to get rid of those pieces that are more difficult to let go.
During the exchange
We found ourselves after work at one of the participants of the exchange appartment. We opened a bottle of wine, and put our accessories on the table. Each one chose what he liked, one by one. At no time were there two interested parties for a single accessory, so this part went smoothly.
In terms of clothing, there are several ways to proceed, but we decided to go bag by bag, each person having brought a lot of things and the space being limited. We then all looked at the same time to find things that interested us. It was a little “free-for-all”, but we managed to share everything without any issues.
When a piece of clothing was desired by two people, the two of them tried it on and the others decided who wore it best. Most of the decisions were unanimous, even among those who had tried the piece. What did not find a new owner was brought to a charity.
In my opinion, a better way to make it more organized would have been to make a pile in the middle of the room and one of us would show the garments to the others, piece by piece. This would have allowed everyone to see it directly, rather than having to search the pile by ourselves. In addition, the day was probably not well chosen because it was super hot and nobody wanted to try anything on (especially when some items were coats or sweaters).
Another tip I can give you is to invite at least two people who are about the same size. Indeed, we were two girls a little smaller and two larger girls with broad shoulders, so we exchanged clothes almost exclusively between people of the same size. Obviously, if the one who looked like me gave an article because it did not fit anymore, it went automatically to the other two or to charity. So, I think it’s important to have friends of all sizes, but keep in mind that you have to be able to swap clothes!
After the exchange
Finally, it is necessary to determine a person who will bring the orphan clothes to the charity, and also to determine which charity one wishes to support!
In my opinion, this activity is interesting for those who want to renew their wardrobe but do not want to shop in a thrift shop or buy fast fashion clothes. It’s also a good reason to meet up with friends, as do the heroines of the Switch and Bitch web-series! Even novices of sustainable fashion can do it!
So call your friends, go to the liquor store, and have fun while saving the planet!
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