On average, each Australian buys 56 items of clothing a year and sends about 10 kilograms of textiles to landfill. Get your friends together and hold a clothing swap to keep your items in circulation for longer and reduce textile consumption and waste!

How it works

Guests bring in clean, good-quality items they no longer want and exchange them for things they love that will work in their wardrobes. Make a day of it with snacks, drinks and music and enjoy “shopping” each others’ wardrobes to find great preloved pieces. If you enjoy the shopping experience, this is a great way to get that new-clothes feeling without the waste.

What you’ll need

• Clothes racks or space to lay out items
• Clothes hangers
• A full-length mirror
• A sign for each category of item
• Somewhere for guests to try on items

Tips for a successful swap

• A bigger group usually makes for a better swap, as there’s a greater variety of items. It’s a good opportunity to bring lots of friends together!
• Make sure there’s plenty of space for people to browse. Covered outdoor areas like patios can work well.
• Decide how the exchange will work. Choose a ‘one in, one out’ system, limit the number of pieces everyone brings and takes, or let your guests
  take home as many items as they need – it’s up to you.
• Let your guests know that they should only bring good quality items in good condition. Be clear on what the swap will include – can people
  bring shoes, jewellery, bags and accessories?
• After the guests arrive, let them mingle and have a snack while you and a helpful friend sort their items into categories (tops, skirts, outerwear, etc). Hanging the clothes up neatly according to colour, size or season makes them much more appealing to look through.
• At the end of the swap, donate any leftover items to a local charity.