Clothing Swaps

We all feel good about donating unwanted clothing. But a lot of it never reaches anyone who wants it. At Fashion First Aid we believe in buying quality clothing and shoes and helping them last as long as possible, and a clothing swap is the easiest way to move good clothes to people who will actually wear them.

We host swaps in Hawaii, at least once a year and often more.

How our swaps work

Is there a cost?

No. It is free. No ticket, no fee, no catch. There is food.

Do I get credit for what I bring?

No, and this is the question everyone asks. We do not value items or run a credit system. Bring what you are ready to part with, take what you will actually use. No math, no scorekeeping, no anxiety about coming out even.

What should I bring?

Clothing, shoes and accessories that are clean and awesome. They do not have to be couture. They do have to be things another person would be genuinely happy to walk away with. Four to seven items is about right. Space is limited, so please keep it under a dozen.

What if I do not have anything to bring?

Come anyway. The point is getting good clothes to people who will wear them, not running a transaction.

What happens to whatever is left over?

Everything not taken home is donated to a local thrift store. Nothing gets thrown away.

Will I be able to try things on?

Yes. It is communal, meaning there will be other people trying things on near you, so wear underthings you feel comfortable in. And for the sake of the clothing, kindly do wear underthings, and go easy on the deodorant.

What about pieces I would rather sell?

If you have items with real resale value that you would rather not give away, we are happy to help you get them listed on Poshmark or TheRealReal. Bring them, ask, and we will walk you through it.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes. Tell us in advance so we can make sure there is enough food.

When is the next one?

Dates vary. Email kim@fashionfirstaid.com and we will let you know when the next one is scheduled.

How to host your own clothing swap

You do not need us to run one. Here is everything we have learned from hosting them.

Send the invitation two weeks out. Text, email, or group chat. Something like:

Want new clothes and accessories for free? Join me for a clothing swap on [date and time] at [location]. Here is how it works:

1. Drop off any unwanted clothes and accessories, preferably clean and on a hanger, at [location] at least a day before. Anything waaaaay past its prime should probably stay home.

2. Arrive on time with a snack or drink to share and a bag to carry your finds.

3. Take home whatever you will actually use.

4. I will donate everything left over to [specific charity].

Seasons. Do summer and winter swaps at the start of each season. Some things, like workout clothes and layering pieces, are seasonless.

Size does not matter. Encourage accessories to quell the fear that there will be nothing in someone's size. In practice a lot of clothes fit a lot of people, especially people at different stages of weight loss or gain.

Brand does not matter. Nice items come in all brands. Ask people to bring things clean and unwrinkled. Completely demolished items should be left out.

The more the merrier, or not. That is the host's call.

Make it pretty and organised. Ask guests to bring things on hangers and drop them off early so you have time to merchandise. Nobody spots a treasure crumpled at the bottom of a pile.

Food and drink. Ask people to bring a snack if they want. I like to provide a big pot of soup and a salad. If you offer alcohol, have non-alcoholic versions too, and serve them in the same cup so nobody feels singled out. Sparkling water with a fruit garnish works.

Mirrors and modesty. Make sure guests have access to full-length mirrors. Remind them to wear undergarments, and warn in advance if the trying-on areas are not private.

Rules. I do not use any, because there is always plenty left over. If you are worried about one person taking all the good stuff, set a three-item limit until everyone has had a turn. If two people want the same thing, hold a walk-off and let the room decide who wears it best.

Finders keepers. Everyone brings their own bag for their personal things and their finds, so nothing gets taken by accident. It happens, and it is miserable in winter when somebody leaves without a coat.

Last call. Once everyone has finished, go through what is left and look for things that would suit a particular guest. Fashion risks, or items that look far better on than they do on a hanger. A nudge is usually appreciated.

Donate what is left. Pick your charity ahead of time. Try to find one that gets items, especially warm things in winter, to people who can actually use them.