How to Host Your Own Clothes Swap

As we gear up for The Freedom Clothes Swap on Saturday (yay!), we thought it would be a perfect time to chat a little about the art of clothes swapping. To do so, we have invited a friend of ours, the one and only Kayla Walter, to share with you from her own experience of hosting clothes swaps in the Hampton Roads area. So, whether you are able to join us on Saturday or want to host your own, she's got all the tips for you.

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As I grow in my journey of buying less and taking care of what I already own, my love for hosting clothing swaps has skyrocketed. If you're curious about how to be mindful of your current wardrobe, but also how to ethically add items to your closet - clothing swaps are by far the way to go. Here are a few tips on how to make the best of your clothing swap experience!

Whether this is your first clothing swap or not, give yourself time to go through your clothes. If this is too overwhelming, pick a section of the closet or a couple drawers of the dresser. You don’t need to do a full clean out*, but it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the items you already own. As you’re picking items to bring to the swap, keep in mind the goal is to bring pieces you think someone else would genuinely be excited to bring home!

When you bring clothing items to a swap, you also have the opportunity to find something to bring home. Let’s remember, swaps are not designed to completely replenish your current wardrobe, but they are a great way to ethically and mindfully add “new to you” pieces. Think back to your wardrobe - are there any specific pieces you noticed you’d like to own? Keep these pieces in mind and try not to stray from them while you’re searching at the swap. 

The clothing swap environment is always so fun and encouraging.You may have friends with you at the swap, but there’s a unique connection felt as strangers swap clothes with one another. You might even witness the moment someone finds joy in an item you brought. 

You can go home confident with your “new to you” clothes and because of your mindful choices, these items get an extended life!

*If you are interested in learning more about cleansing your closet, I’d recommend the book The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline.

- Kayla Walter

Follow Kayla to get all the details about her upcoming clothing swaps in Hampton Roads.