Don’t have the moolah to hit the sales this Black Friday? No
problem, girl, we’ve got just the solution!
A clothing swap is an awesome way to ditch your old duds for
new-to-you rags that you can rock around school, on the weekends and to those
fab holiday parties you’re invited to.
Choosing your crew
This is a great chance for friends from your old school,
your travel soccer team and your neighborhood to get to know each other. Plus,
when you gather a group of far-flung gals, no one will have seen the clothes
you walk away with on that girl a few lockers down.
Awesome invites
Grab some cardstock, scrap fabric (or a ragged t-shirt), hot
glue, fabric pens or paint and a pair of scissors. Cut small hanger shapes out
of the cardstock and t-shirt shapes out the scrap fabric. Use the fabric pens
to write the essential swap info on the mini-tee and then hot glue it to the
hanger. Add glitter, faux rhinestones, feathers—whatever you like!
Getting ready
Not everyone is keen on changing in an open room—and
sometimes the element of surprise is a must—so set up some changing areas. Tidy
up bathrooms and walk-in closets, and ask your parents and your sibs if you can
take over their bedrooms for the afternoon, too. Don’t forget to show your
guests all the options!
Arrange the offerings
Ask your girls to bring over whatever they’ve outgrown or
just don’t wear anymore. Before the party gets underway, lay out everything—use
the couches, beds, whatever you like. Organize by type—shirts in one place,
skirts in another.
Decide on the rules
There are a few ways to hold a clothing swap, but no matter
how you decide to do it, you must set
some ground rules. Decide if it will be a free-for-all—one girl could take home
lots of things and another very few—or if you’ll barter—as in, I’ll give you this top for that dress.
Work up an appetite
Every good get-together needs some tasty snacks. For a
clothing swap, ditch the messy foods—like cheese puffs and chocolates—for
neater nibbles (think pretzels and trail mix).
Strike a pose
What’s a clothing swap without a fashion show? Dedicate a
long hallway or staircase to a parade finale so that you and your buds can show
off your newly acquired apparel.
BY BRITTANY TAYLOR ON 11/25/2010 7:00:00 AM
POSTED IN fashion, cheap, thanksgiving, party ideas, holiday