Does your closet contain items with the tags still on? Do you ever buy a new piece of clothing, excited to wear it, but after a couple of outings, your heart sinks as you realize you’ve made a mistake?
I see many examples of this in my clients’ closets and I realize how hard it is to say goodbye to purchases like these. Although I try to make the point that clutter is just clutter, no matter what the item cost and how recently you acquired it, I do sympathize that it’s hard to let go.
So, I’m intrigued by the concept of clothing swaps, where groups of women gather to exchange their good-condition mistakes for items which (hopefully) suit them better. This doesn’t, of course, reduce the amount of clothing fighting for space in your closet, but it should, in theory, mean you’re more likely to wear what’s in there, especially if you’ve had expert help when picking things to take home with you.
Photo thanks: Robert Linder
Mary Lou Manlove, a color and style consultant who regularly hosts clothing exchanges on the San Francisco Peninsula, describes these sessions as “a wonderfully green event”. She reports that women have fun recycling their wardrobes, while experimenting with new ways to re-invent their look. According to a recent attendee: “I’ve come home with clothing I would never have chosen on my own, but love to wear”.
Of course, having an image consultant on hand does minimize the chances of you scooping up misguided acquisitions, which are destined to become clutter. But you can still organize your own event with friends, if you are careful about what you take home. There are some great tips on how to host a swap at Clutter Diet.
The next Redwood City swap is scheduled for March 27th and you may well see me there. If you’re having a hard time saying goodbye to your clothing mistakes, why not give something like this a try?
Have you ever held or attended a swap of any kind? How did it go?
If you would like friendly, confidential Professional Organizing help to turn chaos into calm, contact me to take the first step toward a sorted, stylish space.
you know, I’ve always wanted to do one of these, but I always feel no one would want my old clothes.
People in our apartment building swap clothes informally. It’s awesome. It satisfies the craving for something new but costs nothing.
That’s a good idea! People regularly leave books in the laundry room for others to take (it’s like having our own in-house library) but I wonder if they’d be interested in doing the same with clothes?
Never been to one, but it sounds like a great idea!
xo Cathy
I’m SO guilty of this! Oftentimes, I try to save something for a special occasion, to keep it “nice.” Of course, “nice” ends up meaning a waste of money and space. Not good. I’ve gradually been getting better at this, but it’s still a problem.
As for swapping, I kind of agree with Claudia… I think to myself, “Who would want MY clothes?” (Is that normal??)
How do swappers get over that feeling?