This post contains a sponsored inclusion of La Crema but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
"If you’re the hosting friend of the friend group, aka me, you know where to source the next best theme: TikTok. Most of my top-tier girls’ night ideas have originated from my scarily accurate TikTok algorithm—from PowerPoint parties to cookbook club. I’ve been on the hunt for a new theme and let me tell you, ladies, I’ve found the next up-and-coming thing: clothing swap parties.
The girlies of TikTok have been shouting the praises of these from the rooftops and I’m finally listening, because I’ve officially got my first one on the books. I’ll save you the endless scroll by sharing the six important steps to throwing the ultimate clothing swap party:
What is a clothing swap party?
Clothing swap parties are exactly what you’d expect: you gather a group of your closest friends, enjoy some snacks and sips of La Crema wine, and trade items from your closets. They’re a fun and simple way to clean out your closet while revamping your wardrobe with new pieces. It’s like a shopping haul without spending any money (and who doesn’t love that?).
How to throw a clothing swap party
Invite your guests
The first thing to cross off your to-do list? Finalize your guest list and start sending out invites. The key to a successful clothing swap party is to gather people who you think would be a good fashion fit for one another. Not everyone has to have the same exact style, but you should aim to have a few pairs of people who have similar tastes so everyone can bring home an item they will wear again and again. That said, this is also a great opportunity for everyone to get introduced to styles they may not pick up on their own.
Establish the rules
Once you get a guest head count, it’s time to set the guidelines for the swap so everyone is on the same page. Some basic rules are 1) no clothing with stains or rips, 2) having a minimum and maximum amount of items each person should bring to the party, 3) everyone is welcome to bring accessories, and 4) ensuring that everyone is following the swap system. Your swapping system can either be a one-to-one swap between two guests or everyone shops through all the items at once (think of it like a pop-up shop!). Make sure you communicate these expectations to the whole group so they can choose the best items possible for the swap.
Select your menu
It isn’t a true party if there aren’t some snacks to munch on. You’ll want to consider snacks and beverages that don’t easily stain clothing just in case there’s a spill—so no red wine or messy, heavy foods (chicken wings, I’m looking at you). For drinks, I recommend snagging a few high-quality white wines—like crowd-pleasing Chardonnay and Pinot Gris—that are easy to sip on and clean up on the off-chance a glass tips over. I’m personally gravitating towards grabbing a few bottles of La Crema for my swap party since they use sustainable practices to power their winery, which really ties back to the heart of this theme. Both Chardonnay and Pinot Gris lend a unique flavor blend of cinnamon, clove, and vanilla bean that works well with any snacking spread. Go the extra mile and pair your wines with a charcuterie board to really impress your guests. Choose a creamier cheese, like Machengo, for Chardonnay and a buttery Toma for your Pinot Gris. Round out your spread by serving veggie trays and other finger foods that your guests can casually snack on between outfit fittings.
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Choose items you want to give away
It can be easy to forget your part of the swap when you’re busy planning the main event, but make sure you set some time aside to rifle through your closet and select your own swap items. Start with the previous season’s clothes (if it’s fall, look back at summer and so on) and go through what you did and did not pick up. If you didn’t wear an item once, it may be a contender for your swap party. You can also go through and pull items that you think your friends would love and go from there (just make sure you’re ready to let that piece go). Stumped on what to give away? Follow this closet cleanout guide to determine which items get the boot.
Set the scene
Transform your living room or dining room into a pop-up shop by setting up some standing mirrors and rolling in a few clothing racks with hangers so your guests can easily flip through everyone’s pieces. You could also haul out some tables for foldable items like jeans and tees and accessories like jewelry, purses, and scarves. Then, clean out your closest guest bathroom and set it up as a changing room with extra hanging space. You’ll also want to set out reusable bags—or have them bring their own—so your guests can easily bring all their finds home. I recommend having one larger bag for clothing pieces and one smaller bag specifically for jewelry so your new necklace doesn’t snag on that beautiful sweater you just scored.
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Amazon | ANPHSIN
Swap away
It’s finally time for the main event! As everyone starts trickling in, have them set up their clothing displays while mingling over food and snacks. Once everyone arrives, the swap can begin. Follow the designated swapping system that you outlined earlier and enjoy the rest of the night. If there are any items that are left behind after the party is over, donate them to your local charity or thrift store.
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of La Crema but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.