How to Host a Clothing Swap

  If you want to host a clothing swap, it is a good idea to invite many different women of different sizes, shapes, and colors. Invite ladies from work, church, school, and all the other women you know - and then tell them to bring a friend if they wish. That way you get a great variety of items, meet new friends, and there will hopefully be something for everyone's style amongst the available items.

Since the clothing swap will be a social event, it is a good idea to make it a potluck type setting. Perhaps if you are sending out invitations, you could say something creative like, "Bring your old clothes, a friend, and your favorite side dish."

  You've invited all of your female friends and have organized your party. Now that they day has arrived, we'll get into the details of how the party actually works. You'll need a large blanket spread out on the floor of the room where you are having the party. To get the ball rolling, you can put your giveaway items of clothing underneath the blanket. As guests arrive, have them deposit their items under the blanket. After everyone has arrived and you are ready to proceed with the main event, make sure all the clothes under the blanket are thoroughly mixed up (so there aren't large pockets of clothes that were brought by just one person), and then have your group assemble around the edges of the blanket. Have everyone close their eyes, count to three or do some sort of a "Ready, Set, Go!!!" and whisk the blanket away. At this point, things can get a little crazy as everyone digs through the pile like they are at a Black Friday sale!

You'll know that your party was a success when every guest leaves with at least a couple pieces that they are really excited about. Undoubtedly, there will be leftover clothes that did not get selected; If the owner(s) don't want them back, have garbage bags handy and let everyone know that the leftover items will be donated to a local charity (or similar cause). Clothing swap parties are a great way to have some fun, meet new people, help out a good cause, and get yourself some new pieces for your wardrobe!