Money Saving Monday Fashion Swaps

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 With summer on its way, a fresh, new wardrobe is on the top of many lovely ladies' lists. With vacations to plan and zoos and picnics to attend, a fun wardrobe is exactly what we need to give us that energized, conquer the world feeling. Unfortunately, reality hits when you realize that new threads don't usually compare to paying the dentist or renewing the car insurance. Luckily, there is a cost free alternative to achieving a fresh look!

A fashion swap  or clothing swap can be achieved in a variety of ways, but the basics are this: you bring clothes you no longer want or need, other people do the same, you pick out the things you want that the other people brought! There are three basic types of clothing or fashion swaps I know of.

• A private swap with family and friends- This is when you and a few girlfriends or relatives schedule a time to get together and trade your clothing, shoes, accessories etc. 

• A publicly held swap with strangers- If you are feeling a bit braver, you can venture into the world of public swaps. Here, you will find a wider variety of fashion styles and sizes. They are usually held in a large events room and often require an admittance fee (generally donated to a charity). An example of a public swap can be found at Clothing Swap.

• An online swap with anyone- There are some websites, like Swap Style, that allow you to trade your clothing and fashion items with anyone around the world. It is free of charge, although I believe you pay for shipping. 

No matter how you do the clothing/fashion swap, it's a good idea to have some ground rules. Public events usually require you to bring only freshly laundered or dry cleaned items. You should not bring any stained or torn items. At public swaps, the clothing left at the end of the event is usually donated. You could follow this practice in a private swap also. You could also set guidelines about function or season--only work attire or only winter clothing. Be creative! Have fun with it!

I love this idea! I think it would be a great way to pass on some un-used clothing, guilt-free. If a friend is constantly borrowing an item of clothing, why not just give it to her when you're done with it instead of throwing it out? I think a bigger, public swap would be really fun also. You could take a few friends and go score some great finds!

If there isn't a public swap in your area, why not host one? It could be a great way to meet new people!

Have you ever attended/hosted a clothing swap? If so, how did it go? Let me know in the comments below!

- - Happy Savings! - -