How to host a clothes swap

Who would have thought giving away hand-me-downs at a party AKA (also known as) a Clothes Swap would be a thing in our day and age. Well I am glad it is cause FREE clothes are the best clothes!

There are loads of formal and informal clothes swaps popping up around the place and it’s a beautiful way to recycle clothing and connect with others.

I recently participated in Upcycle Newcastle’s Clothing Swap at Hamilton North in a huge warehouse. It was loads of fun. I came away with some gorgeous pieces and met some beautiful people. My kids came along too and found some cute pieces. Great to teach kids when they’re young how fun recycling and swapping clothing is.

Clothes swaps are a great way to move unworn clothing from your wardrobes and replace it (swap it) with new free clothing.

My tips for hosting a clothes swap:

1. Invite. Pick a location, date and time. Grab some drinks and nibbles.
2. Limit. To ensure quality clothing comes to the swap – limit the number of items so people are forced to choose their best, good quality pieces to bring. Include shoes, bags, accessories and jewellery too! Limiting number of items also creates less overwhelm at the end when packing up the left overs.
3. How. Casual gathering just put everything in the middle and go for it! For a more organised event use racks and tables and signs for sizes and there is the option of using tokens per number of items you bring you can swap with.
4. Give. Have large bags and a charity in mind you can donate to. As at the end you can bag up the leftovers and donate on the way home.

Have you ever hosted or been to a clothes swap? I’d love to see pics of the gorgeous pieces that you nabbed. Share them with me!

Rachel Prest

Director & Founder at Raid My Wardrobe

Rachel Prest is founder of Raid My Wardrobe. In 2010, she founded a preloved fashion event for women to refresh, recycle and reinvent their wardrobes. She began this blog in 2016 as a way to inspire, educate and encourage her community with more sustainable ways of fashion shopping, styling and creating. When she's not doing a wardrobe makeover or planning the next event you'll find her down at the beach, walking in the bush or hanging out with her friends and her kids. Rachel is based in Newcastle, Australia.