Confessions of a Clothing Swapper
‘Tis the season for shopping, right? Not anymore. Read on to learn how no-money-exchanged bartering is the way to refresh your winter wardrobe.
I was introduced this year to the art of swapping by veteran swap producer, Victoria C. Rowan, known to New Yorkers as writing coach extraordinaire and Creatrix-in-Chief of Ideasmyth. Victoria’s swaps are legendary, combining an endless stream of shoes, bags, jeans, dresses with great women and great fun. At my first swap hosted by Victoria I let go of a pile of painful, pointy-toed shoes and picked up a pair of black rubber ducky boots. No money was exchanged and I got rid of things I was no longer using, for something I know I will get great use of this spring.
Check out my finds at another swap I attended this weekend. And if you want to host your own swap, read Victoria's swap thoughts below, she's here to inspire us all with invaluable trade secrets! Thanks, Victoria.
I’m a native New Yorker who knows that fashion is fleeting, so why pay for it? Since I’ve remained the same size since high school, there’s little practical rationale for buying new clothes. What’s good for practicality, however, is bad for a girl’s inner fashion-lust. Swapping saves one from the fashion doldrums. And,
swapping is shopping for free – WITH a guaranteed good karma booster shot! What more can a budget-conscious material girl hope for?
I hate shopping, I hate the fluorescent changing room lights, the guilty time away from more important things. It’s far more fun to combine ‘acquiring’ with quality girl time. And how nice to share #clothes and #accessories among your favorite folks, or friend-vetted friends?
Swapping is great for my #closets: the methodical culling reconnects me with my full wardrobe and I start wearing a wider variety of my remaining #clothing. Getting dressed starts to feel like I’m shopping in my own closet.
And, it’s amazing for my morale: swapping encourages me to LET GO. For whatever psychological reason, it’s easier for me to give away really great items when I know the end beneficiary. The hardest ones to admit to yourself they no longer fit or flatter – no matter how much you spent on them – those items usually find a happy home with a friend who’s thrilled.
After every swap I feel an emotional high, particularly from shedding things imbued with negative stories. When I give away clueless family gifts gone are the reminders that my family still, after all these years doesn’t understand my taste. Instead, I’m left with the relief of knowing I never again have to figure out how to wear things I never want to wear, under any circumstances, even at family reunions! When I give away terrible bridesmaid dresses, I also lose all the fury that I had with friends who chose styles that highlighted my worst physical features, and memories of how much fun we had together that weekend resurface. The joy that other women express – especially after releasing themselves from bad ex-mother-in-law or ex-boyfriend gifts – is sheer jubilation by proximity.
Some of my best swap scores: new rollerblades, the PERFECT cut pair of black business slacks, fantastically beautiful damask napkins, a slinky baby-blue and lace nightgown and a crimson crushed velvet turtleneck that is the most comfortable and sexiest thing in my wardrobe!
Ah, there are so many reasons to love swapping, the challenge is containing my enthusiasm to something of manageable length. To really grasp the swapping thrill, you’ll have to attend or throw one yourself!
THE GROUND-RULES:
Invite people a month in advance with weekly reminders to start combing through their homes (I have a SWAP bag I’m always adding to at the back of my closet.)
Encourage people to bring non-size centric things (fashion accessories, small-sized home decor items) so everyone will be able to go home with something
Only bring items you don’t want to see again or ever hope to make money on consignment. No money is exchanged
Swaps do not have to be equal exchanges of goods – anyone can take anything that fits or suits them. The golden rule is fairness – if one person already has lots of stuff, then someone with less should get the item in question
Come ready to try things on! And bring your stuff in a bag that you can use to bring home scored items
WHAT’S SWAPPABLE:
Clothes in good condition (no stains or holes)
Accessories like jewelry, bags, scarves, new-ish shoes
CDs, books, DVDs
Small home accessories: file racks, African masks, dishes, tablecloths, vases have all found happy homes from swaps of yore
WHERE DO THE REJECTS GO?
Find a charity; the tax write-off goes to the schlepper and/or hostess. Last time my swap sent everything to a NYC women’s shelter. On previous ones, we’ve sent rejects to a village in Latin America. (Many charities, like Housing Works Thrift Shop, will give receipts for tax deductions which often can be of legitimately high amounts)
Happy swapping!
Victoria Rowan, Creatrix-in-Chief IDEASMYTH.com
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