Piggy-backing on an earlier post about shopping in each other’s closets, swap parties continue to gain popularity and sweep the nation. The Today Show, on 6/19/09, included a segment outlining the rules for fair trade that are worth sharing. These rules help ensure that the trade is as fair as possible. Feel free to include shoes, purses, and other accessories.
1) Make sure general sizes are the same.
2) Have some light food and drinks.
3) Categorize clothes into fair market value… low, mid-range, higher-end.
Operating the shopping part of the party works like this: When you see something you like, approach that person with it and ask if they would like anything that you have brought. If it is a fair trade, the swap is complete: Jenny wants Alice’s purse, Alice wants Jenny’s skirt… done! If there is not a mutual desire for the exchange, a third party exchange is a possibility. Jenny wants Alice’s purse, Alice wants Mary’s shoes, Mary wants Jenny’s skirt… done!
A system like this works great for children’s clothes as well.
At the end of the party, a great option is to give the clothes away to charities like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, your local church, or other organizations like Dress for Success.
Swap and shop your way to some new wardrobe pieces!
