Getting a group together for a clothing swap is a great way to create a sense of community and create sustainable looks at the same time. You're building a new wardrobe and bonding with like-minded folks, all while creating a positive change in the world.
If you're interested in hosting a clothing swap but have no idea how to get started, we've got you covered. Here's everything you need to know, from creating a guest list and sending out invitations to the ins and outs of running the actual event.
Choose Your Who
There are so many variations of friend groups you can choose for your swaps. Host girlfriends from your neighborhood. Have a reunion with college friends. Build bonds with moms, sisters, cousins, aunts, and grandmas. And don’t forget your favorite group of co-workers, sorority sisters, and moms from kids’ play groups or school, too. No matter who you choose, it's bound to be fun.
Aim to have 5 to 15 people attend, and ensure that each attendee will be able to swap clothing with at least two other attendees in the same size range. This makes the evening open to everyone to participate. Also, make sure to balance the number of attendees with how many people can fit comfortably in your space.
Pick Your Space
Most clothing swaps are held at home, but you can get creative with your space depending on which type of event you’d like to hold. For free options, check out local community halls, libraries, and schools. Many coffee shops, wine bars, and hotel lobbies are also up for grabs for a small fee.
You can also try reaching out to local businesses with a friendly email and let them know you’d love to showcase their space to your group of friends. You’d be surprised at how many businesses are looking for authentic ways to get people in their door, and you might just get a gorgeous space for a better rate.
Figure Out the Food and Drinks
We highly recommend providing small bites or a meal to attendees. Wine also helps draw in a crowd!
Consider charging for attending the event to help keep your costs close to zero. $10 is a great price range to keep in mind if you’re hosting at home and providing appetizers, while $25 is more in-line for dinner and a drink. Studies have shown that charging a small fee actually increases attendance to events (the psychology says you’ll get more FOMO if you’ve got some money on the line!).
Pro tip: Brightly community members have found that scheduling Clothing Swaps on a Friday night and serving dinner draws the biggest group. Enlist some help from friends and prep everything beforehand so you can focus on the event.
Better yet, hold your clothing swap at a venue that has food or catering offered and outsource, or make your event a potluck and have everyone bring something to share.
Send the Invite
Understand where your group hangs out and craft the invite to meet their routines. Personal emails/texts, Facebook events, Eventbrite events, or posts on Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok can work wonders.
Another tip is to post to local/neighborhood/community FB Groups that you’re a member of. Encourage those who have confirmed they're coming to invite their friends, too!
In the invitation, make sure to share the date, time, cost, and food information. In addition, don’t forget to specify "What to Bring" and "What to Expect."
An example header looks like:
Friday, November 15th | 6-9:30PM | $25pp includes dinner and drinks
What to Bring
Our closets definitely have stories packed into them, like an impulse buy, that sweater from grandma that had good intentions, or shoes that hurt your feet after you’ve worn them only twice. It feels great to let them find a new home!
The most important part of "what to bring" is ensuring that your items are in excellent or very good condition. They need to be cleaned and preferably pressed on hangers (hangers will be returned at the end of the night). Damaged and stained items are not invited, which is a reasonable request. Just make sure everyone is on the same page.
Send out the following list to your attendees:
Great ideas to bring to the Clothing Swap include: dresses, skirts, shirts, pants, jeans, jackets, coats, cotton tops, shoes, boots, scarves, gloves, hats, belts, sunglasses, handbags, wallets, accessories, and jewelry.
How to Run Your Clothing Swap
1. Check-In and Token System
Upon arrival, have items get checked in at a table near the front door. This helps everyone unload their swapper stash before mingling with the other guests.
Create a “one brought, one swapped” rule. For each item brought, give the attendee a token. Make sure to scan the item to ensure it fits the clean/useful garment guidelines. If not, let the attendee know you’ll set it aside to donate later. Enlist a friend to help you check items in and give tokens out.
2. Set Up and Clean Up
Set up your swap in a large space ideally equipped with a clothing rack for the hanging garments, tables for accessories, and floor space for shoes. If you don’t own a clothing rack, consider grabbing one on Craigslist before the event if you will use it again in the future. If not, neatly fold clothes on tables. Organize items by size and type.
Before the swap begins, take the opportunity to gather attendees to discuss the why behind the event. Start a quick chat about how important sustainable decisions are to our planet, share a couple of fashion industry facts, encourage mending and repurposing garments, and then conclude with a reminder about being mindful of our consumption. Let them know that if they’re interested, the Brightly community would love to have them join us online.
With that, give a gentle reminder about the Brightly Clothing Swap Guidelines:
1. Keep an open mind. Give new styles a try, you may be surprised.
2. Be fair. Take only a few items at a time. Quick try-ons are a must and please place back pieces that don’t work, so others can try them on.
3. Be mindful of size and style options. Every effort is made to have many different sizes and styles, but if you’re feeling left out, let us know. Let’s get creative together!
4. Reduce regret. If you don’t see anything you like at the swap and your items have not been claimed by anyone, then you’re welcome to take back your items. We want everyone feeling good about the experience!
Once the guidelines are stated, everyone can jump up and hit the rack and tables looking for new treasures! At the end of the night, the remaining items can be returned to the original owner or donated to a local non-profit.
Follow Up and Send Thank Yous
The following morning, send out an email thanking everyone for joining the clothing swap and offer a few words of encouragement. Here’s an example from Brightly Community Member Jenny LaCorte Bailey, the founder of JLB Style:
Wow, what a night! Thank you, a million times, for making last night special on so many levels.
- We gathered in community.
- We repurposed items from our closets.
- We kept those items out of the landfill.
- We learned {a little} about mending and caring for our garments.
- We donated to a local non-profit.
- We are very proud of ourselves (and I am proud of you too, future host!)
