Style Symmetry

Clothing Swap Shenanigans

Jessica hosted a Clothing Swap Party last night and it was a major success – I’ve never seen so many cute dresses and skirts – eek!

We added a new step to the beginning of the process, each person shows the group every piece they brought and tells a bit about its history, origin and/or size. This is very helpful to really know what is in the pile, we’ve found that fewer items get left behind for donation this way and plus is extends the swapping fun.

How to Choose Items

1. Before you go the swap, (just like before you go shopping, thrifting, online hunting) evaluate where the holes are in your wardrobe and where there is already too much excess. I for one need dress pants, jeans, cute blouses and shoes.  I do not need a-line skirts, purses, hoodies or any other casual clothes.

2. Hopefully when everyone was showing off their items you’ve been making mental notes of the pieces that would be really helpful for your wardrobe. Start by trying on the items that you really need.   First thing I did was try on all the pants close to my size, then the blouses and shoes.

3. Now you’ve chosen a couple cute items that will really add to you growing wardrobe, congrats. Why not try a couple pieces you normally would not. These are free clothes, live a little, you may be surprised that the light wash denim mini skirt suits your curves or the 90’s velvet jumper is so 2010.

4. By this time the craziness and the picking at the pile has slowed down. Now really go for it, no one is counting anymore. Cute cotton t-shirts in mint condition, something your best friend would love, your favorites that you’ve been neglecting because you already have too much, heck even items that would be good for reselling online (I haven’t done that yet but I don’t see why not).

5. This is the last and most important step, retry on EVERYTHING you chose.  And ask yourself; Does it fit properly? Will I wear it?  Do I love it?  Did it look better on another girl or did another girl want it more?

Hope this thoughts help you achieve successful swapping.

The Loot

So I did go a bit overboard as there was so much good stuff at this swap! Anything that doesn’t work out for me can easily brought to the next get together. Crochet Sweater Vest with Floral Appliqué, Simple Baby Blue Tee, glittery and lace cute top (first choice), jean skirt and REVERSIBLE purple a-line skirt.

Polka dot cotton sundress, black with grey and cream scarf, silk party dress, brown super soft dress pants, floral purse.

We took another set of pictures with our favorite items.

For more on Clothing Swaps – read What To Wear, How To Host and How To Be a Guest.

For a clothing swap party it is helpful to be mobile in your clothing.
I recommend a fitted tank top and leggings for starters.  And for what you wear on top it’s pieces you can easily take off like a loose skirt and an open cardigan, no big jewelry.  A belt is a good accessory for visualizing how items will look belted but if you are at someones house you can always ask to borrow one.  And thin socks in case there are shoes to try on.  When the swapping starts you can lose the cardigan and try items on over and under the skirt.  Lose the skirt when needed as well.

Wednesday’s Swap

The Clothing Swap Soiree was a success!!  I asked for two people to bring snacks but then everyone did, which was so yummy; brie with puff pastry, blueberry cookies, bean dip and cake desserts.  Oh and there was also a lot of wine.  This made for an interesting Thursday morning at work, lol.

This time we did things a bit different with each swapper showing their items one by one and giving a description.  This was helpful to build up the anticipation and have a better idea of what was in the pile.  There was the cutest red cardigan that caught many an eye, and all the fall jackets were on the top of the list too.

The pile o’ goods sorted by item type.

These maroon shoes have always been a bit narrow for me but they fit Lindsay like a dream.

Here we are each modeling our favorite new* items.  We took a series of pictures but jazz hands’ was my favorite.
Swappers you can see the full series of photos in the event details.

I’m so excited about this green blouse, it was my first pick out of the pile.  One of the things to remember about free clothes is that you can always take home a few things you aren’t sure about, try them out for a while and if they don’t work for you bring them to the next swap.  Karina you might recognize the blue sparkly piece on the lovely lady to my left that you swapped to me, I just couldn’t rock it out like it deserves.

Plaid Jackets Old & New – The jacket on the left I’ve had for a while but it was time to give it up, it wasn’t very flattering on me.  And now I have a new plaid jacket, plus someone took the old one, yay!

The rest of my choices included clockwise a Canada tee, red ribbed sweater, blue space age blouse (reminds me of 1990s and Hackers), raspberry turtleneck, cutest argyle sweater vest, a jean skirt  for next summers beach days and a paisley top I swore I would not like but then loved.  I forgot to photo a cute navy and pale blue v-neck sweater and a basic grey scarf but you’ll see them soon enough.

For more on Clothing Swaps – read How To Host and How To Be a Guest.