Instead of hibernating this winter, why not clean out your wardrobe and have a clothing swap with your closes friends? Wardrobe consultants claim that women only wear 20% of the clothes in their closet. Instead of stocking your closet full of clothes you never wear why not donate the reaming 80% to your friends. Wardrobe and clothing swap parties have been popping up in cities worldwide changing the way women shop. Instead of spending the afternoon in retail stores, friends are bonding and shopping for free at clothing swap parties. Wardrobe Consultants worldwide are buzzing about this new fashion craze. So shop green by recycling your unused garments and save green at the same time! Here are some tips to ensure a successful wardrobe exchange or clothing swap with your girlfriends, neighbors or colleagues.
First you will need some friends. Call your friends and have them call a few people. Try to include women who fall into the same size category. They don't have to be the exact same size as you because many people get rid of things that are too small or big. However, you don't want anyone to leave empty handed or feel neglecting when none of the garments are in her size. So think ahead and plan according to sizes in order to ensure everyone is part of the party. Each friend will perform a wardrobe analysis and audit their closet. This will motivate all your friends to clean out their closets; they will thank you later! They will all make a pile of things that they want to bring to the wardrobe exchange. This will include garments they don't wear or have a need for anymore. Items that are damaged, stained or worn out should be removed from the pile. Nobody will want a stained t-shirt or sweater with holes in it. Have them place all the discarded garments into a large garbage bag that will be easy to throw into the car or carry. Every participant should fill up at least one garbage bag. If you have a lot of people coming to your clothing swap, you can request less. It's really your call based on the size of your house.
Wardrobe exchange parties should provide an assortment of garments including: coats, handbags, accessories and clothing. If you want to include shoes, that's ok too. You want to keep your guests entertained as well. For some extra excitement, ask your guests to bring a guilty pleasure food. Our fashion consultants and wardrobe consultants recommend anything with sugar that will keep the girls happy. Foods like cupcakes, brownies, cookies, danish, champagne, mimosas or a little bit of wine will keep your guests giggly and bubbly. If you are ore of a health nut then opt for veggies, fruit salad or lattes. Place the food in a room separate from the clothing so that fibers don't make their way into the snacks. When your guests arrive with their bags of clothing, invite them into the snack room while you take their clothes and arrange them in the clothing swap room. When you arrange the clothes, be sure to separate everything to different piles so your guests can easily maneuver the garments. Make different piles including: coats, tops, blouses, pants, skirts, dresses, soft accessories and jewelry. Once the piles are established, invite your guests in the wardrobe swap room and explain the piles and the rules.
The rules of a clothing swap are pretty established to avoid confrontation and ensure a good time is had by all. They are pretty simple to follow and will introduce some silliness to your swap. Our wardrobe consultants and image consultants recommend that you inform your guests of the rules prior to shopping so that everyone is included and no one is left out. The rules include: * Everyone must claim their garment when someone else selects it from the swap pile. This will give the owner a chance to speak up in the event they are having second thoughts about their donation. * Make sure to tell your friends the swap is seasonal. This will keep everyone focused on the things they need for the current season. It is hard for people to think they need swimsuits and sandals when there is 3" of snow on the ground. * If two people want the same garment you can do two of the following. Have a simple coin toss or have each participant model the garment in front of the entire group and the group votes to decide who gets the garment based on who wears it well. This is a fun way to get a little silly with your friends. Be sure to play some modeling or runway music in the process. * Have fun, relax, mingle, eat and drink! This is mandatory! Be sure to bring a camera as this event is bound to have some picturesque moments. * Take all the remaining garments left-over after swap to a local thrift store or goodwill shop * Ask your guests if they would like to plan clothing swap for the spring or summer.
When you host or arrange a clothing swap, it is a great way to combine different things. You're are saving money and helping your friend's cleanout their closet. It's a different way to shop with your best girlfriends in the privacy of own home. There is nothing to lose when you host or arrange a clothing swap. It is a great way to pass time with friends and the best part; it doesn't cost a thing! You are sure to find some amazing clothes and will be surprised to see that you discarded garments are someone else's treasure. You may be surprised to learn that your clothes look better on your friends and vice versa. So before you donate or discard your old wardrobe, consider the fun you could be having with your friends!
First you will need some friends. Call your friends and have them call a few people. Try to include women who fall into the same size category. They don't have to be the exact same size as you because many people get rid of things that are too small or big. However, you don't want anyone to leave empty handed or feel neglecting when none of the garments are in her size. So think ahead and plan according to sizes in order to ensure everyone is part of the party. Each friend will perform a wardrobe analysis and audit their closet. This will motivate all your friends to clean out their closets; they will thank you later! They will all make a pile of things that they want to bring to the wardrobe exchange. This will include garments they don't wear or have a need for anymore. Items that are damaged, stained or worn out should be removed from the pile. Nobody will want a stained t-shirt or sweater with holes in it. Have them place all the discarded garments into a large garbage bag that will be easy to throw into the car or carry. Every participant should fill up at least one garbage bag. If you have a lot of people coming to your clothing swap, you can request less. It's really your call based on the size of your house.
Wardrobe exchange parties should provide an assortment of garments including: coats, handbags, accessories and clothing. If you want to include shoes, that's ok too. You want to keep your guests entertained as well. For some extra excitement, ask your guests to bring a guilty pleasure food. Our fashion consultants and wardrobe consultants recommend anything with sugar that will keep the girls happy. Foods like cupcakes, brownies, cookies, danish, champagne, mimosas or a little bit of wine will keep your guests giggly and bubbly. If you are ore of a health nut then opt for veggies, fruit salad or lattes. Place the food in a room separate from the clothing so that fibers don't make their way into the snacks. When your guests arrive with their bags of clothing, invite them into the snack room while you take their clothes and arrange them in the clothing swap room. When you arrange the clothes, be sure to separate everything to different piles so your guests can easily maneuver the garments. Make different piles including: coats, tops, blouses, pants, skirts, dresses, soft accessories and jewelry. Once the piles are established, invite your guests in the wardrobe swap room and explain the piles and the rules.
The rules of a clothing swap are pretty established to avoid confrontation and ensure a good time is had by all. They are pretty simple to follow and will introduce some silliness to your swap. Our wardrobe consultants and image consultants recommend that you inform your guests of the rules prior to shopping so that everyone is included and no one is left out. The rules include: * Everyone must claim their garment when someone else selects it from the swap pile. This will give the owner a chance to speak up in the event they are having second thoughts about their donation. * Make sure to tell your friends the swap is seasonal. This will keep everyone focused on the things they need for the current season. It is hard for people to think they need swimsuits and sandals when there is 3" of snow on the ground. * If two people want the same garment you can do two of the following. Have a simple coin toss or have each participant model the garment in front of the entire group and the group votes to decide who gets the garment based on who wears it well. This is a fun way to get a little silly with your friends. Be sure to play some modeling or runway music in the process. * Have fun, relax, mingle, eat and drink! This is mandatory! Be sure to bring a camera as this event is bound to have some picturesque moments. * Take all the remaining garments left-over after swap to a local thrift store or goodwill shop * Ask your guests if they would like to plan clothing swap for the spring or summer.
When you host or arrange a clothing swap, it is a great way to combine different things. You're are saving money and helping your friend's cleanout their closet. It's a different way to shop with your best girlfriends in the privacy of own home. There is nothing to lose when you host or arrange a clothing swap. It is a great way to pass time with friends and the best part; it doesn't cost a thing! You are sure to find some amazing clothes and will be surprised to see that you discarded garments are someone else's treasure. You may be surprised to learn that your clothes look better on your friends and vice versa. So before you donate or discard your old wardrobe, consider the fun you could be having with your friends!
About the Author:
Erika Chloe is New York's premiere Fashion Consultant and CEO of MyImageExperta Fashion Consulting Company with locations in most U.S. cities.
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