How to Host a Clothing Swap

Have you ever wondered how to host a clothing swap with your friends? Clothing swaps are a great way to spend intentional time together, all while fostering the spirit of sharing with your community. And who knows? This could lead to a wider network of sharing and borrowing in your area well beyond clothing. You can do this for kids items too! Before school starts, gather parents in your community and organize clothing in piles by size. Bring older kids with you to get them involved and into this kid of sharing!

Getting ready for a clothing swap has the interesting effect of coaxing those items out of your closet that are “too good/expensive” to donate because you are likely to get something in return. It’s also a great way to be honest with yourself about what you are wearing and what you feel good in. I have found it easier for me to let go of my attachment to an item when I know it could potentially be chosen and loved by someone I care about.

Why You Should Host a Clothing Swap

We all have clothing we are not wearing. As a society, we are buying (and wasting) more clothing than ever before – much more than the donation/resale market can possibly cope with. Buying fewer items (of better quality) is one part of the solution, but making the most of what already exists is another. After all, the most sustainable piece of clothing is something you already own!

Here are a few compelling reasons to organize or attend a clothing swap:

1. Reduce Textile Waste

The fashion industry produces approximately 100 billion garments annually, with 92 million tonnes ending up in landfills each year. In fact, there is such an overabundance of clothing that it is estimated that there is enough clothing on the planet to cloth the next SIX generations!

2. Conserve Water Resources

Did you know that producing a single cotton shirt uses about 700 gallons of water, and a pair of jeans can take up to 2,000 gallons. Additionally, textile production (dyeing, finishing, etc) accounts for about 20% of global fresh water pollution. Keep perfectly good clothes in use (and out of the landfill) is a big win for clean water!

3. Lower Carbon Emissions

The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions, which is more than international flights and shipping combined! These emissions are not only from production and transportation, but many common textiles (polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc.) are derived from fossil fuels.

4. Conscious Consumption

A clothing swap is a wonderful way introduce people in your community to secondhand clothing and sustainable fashion. For folks who are unfamiliar or skeptical of the movement, participating in a fun and relaxed clothing swap could be just the push they need to start thinking differently about how they consume clothing and what happens to it after they no longer want it. At every swap I have ever been to, there has always been a chorus of “This is such a great idea!” and it is!

5. Save Money

Clothing swaps are a great way to refresh your wardrobe (and declutter your own) without spending a cent! They are also a great way to dip your toe into the sharing economy, leading you to your Buy Nothing group and strengthening community connections.

How to Host a Clothing Swap

The key to a great clothing swap is planning! The goal is create a fun, laidback event that welcomes a diverse group of participants, ensuring a variety of styles and sizes for everyone to enjoy.

Planning

• Invite people of all sizes and mix your social circles.
• Send your email invitation well in advance to give guests a chance to minimize their wardrobes.
• Set a maximum limit of items (10-20 per person, depending on the size of your gathering) to keep from being overwhelmed with items.
• Ask your guests to bring enough hangers for the number of items they are bringing.
• Suggest guests wear clothing they can easily try on clothing on top of, such as a tank and leggings.
• Choose a local charity to donate unclaimed items to in advance. Swaps I have been involved in typically donate to women’s shelters or employment groups. Guests should feel welcome to take home their unclaimed items at the end of the events as well.
• Don’t forget about refreshments! Pot luck style is perfect for this type of event,

Setting Up

• Have a friend or two help you set up! Ask folks who are lending racks to drop them off early.
• Choose reusable glassware, dishes, and cutlery for any food and beverages you may be offering. If you don’t have enough, borrow these too!
• Arrange items by general type (pants, dresses, tops, activewear, etc).
• Transform the space into a store-like set up.
• Have a full length mirror available.

Swappable Items

A clothing swap can be more than just clothing! Ask your guests to consider bringing the following gently used items to swap:

• Clothing
• Shoes/boots
• Handbags
• Very gently used and/or unopened makeup, perfume, skin care products.
• Jewellery
• Scarves
• Hats
• Home decor items

The Best Rules are No Rules!

A small swap is a great place for a casual and relaxed approach, so once the swap it set up, encourage folks to simply go shopping! It’s lovely to see people chatting, getting opinions on items, or finding something that would be perfect on someone else. Try not to place restrictions on how many items a person can take – in my experience, folks are very chill about free items in an atmosphere like this, taking only what they really love or need. Keep it light and fun!

A larger event may need a few more rules, such as a lottery system for who shops when and for how long, and tokens for items brought to limit items chosen.

Clothing swaps are a fun, sustainable way to breathe new life into your wardrobe, all while reducing waste and saving resources. By organizing a swap, you’re not just helping the planet – you’re fostering community and encouraging others to embrace sustainable fashion. Happy swapping!

Have you ever been to or hosted a clothing swap? What did you think? Share your tips in the comments!

Originally published January 18, 2020 . Last updated January 25, 2025.