Spring Swishing

With spring around the corner, I know many of you are getting ready for spring cleaning. There's an amazing way to clean away clutter, organize your closet, go shopping and hang out with your friends at the same time: Host a clothing swap party!

photo via the-budgetista.com

  
The premise is simple: Each guest brings a few articles of clothing or accessories that they no longer have use for, and other guests can choose from among them. One person's unworn, ill-fitting or regretted purchase is another one's treasure. And it happens to be really fun.


A few tips:

Set Up
-Display items so that they can be seen. Hang clothing on a garment rack, lay out folded knits on a coffee table and hang accessories on the wall with a few removable 3M Command hooks.
-Have one area for guests to relax and browse in and designate a separate space (bedroom or bathroom) as a fitting room.
-Have a few mirrors around, and at least one full-length mirror.
-Serve food and/or drinks, but avoid those that can stain. Snacks that can be picked up with toothpicks are a great way to avoid messy hands.

What to Bring
-Stick to only warm-weather clothing or only cold-weather clothing at a time, based on whichever season it is when you have the party, so guests can make use of their new acquisitions.
-Accessories can work but shoes can be tough unless all your friends are of the same shoe size.
-Don't worry about having guests of different shapes and sizes. You'd be surprised how a random mix can still work.

After
-Donate leftovers to charity such as Goodwill, or my personal favorite, Housing Works.

Happy swishing!