Sentry Page Protection

Tip Store: Clothes: Clothes Swaps

The Company Clothes Swap

Approximate $ Savings: $500 a year

Each year at work we organise a clothes swap. As we women know our weights are always going up and down and we end up with many clothes we don't wear. We coach all participants to go through their wardrobe with the rule: if you haven't worn it in a year you won't ever wear it! Everyone brings in their unwanted clothes and goes home with lovely 'new' clothes. The most fun is seeing other people in your pre-loved clothes and the joy they have in wearing them.
​- Contributed by Victoria Sheey, 19th September 2012

​Change of Season Clothes Swap

At the change of seasons I am tempted to purchase something new. This year for the second time as I unpack the winter woollies for the coming chill, we are having a clothes swap. I've found clothes I couldn't send to a goodwill store in the past can be parted with when I know a friend will love them and get a buzz from their new item. A few tips on organising a clothes swap: Invite a group that includes 2 of every size group ask them their shoe sizes if someone doesn't feel they have much to bring, ask them to bring some snacks or a bottle of wine Extend to accessories, books and even kitchenware Last time the room was full of "are you sure you really want to give THIS away?" ,"Can I really have this???" and so on. Plus it's a fun girls night and you can cross pollinate some of your groups of friends! Don't exclude pregnant women - their size may be different for a while after the birth or they may use the clothes of someone larger than them. Have a ball and come home with new free gear! Last time I got a beautiful jumper, dress, jacket & top. Even if bought at a second hand store that would have cost me$100-150, new who knows? Next one will be kids clothes, toys and books!
​- Contributed by Carmen Lee, Leichhardt, 22nd April 2009

​Clothes Party With a Difference

I often get invited to party plan clothes parties where I feel obligated to attend and buy something where the price has been dramatically inflated and I leave feeling ripped off. Well the other day I attended a clothes party with a difference. A friend of mine organised it at her house. We all brought our old clothes, shoes, handbags, jewellery that we didn't want anymore and would normally give to the local op shop. We also brought a plate or bottle of wine to share. We all sat in a large room and put all of the goods in the middle of the room and swapped or took what we wanted. We had such a great time sorting through and trying on each others clothes. Some people left with several garbage bags full of items for themselves, their husbands and children. All for free! Many of the clothes and shoes where hardly worn or still had tags on them. All of the left over clothes where taken to the local ops shop by my friends husband. We have now decided to do this every year.
​- Contributed by Melanie, Wyoming, 22nd April 2009

​The Communal Wardrobe System

I have been looking for work for the past few weeks and really feeling the strain of presenting at interviews looking polished and professional. Whilst shopping with another mum also in the corporate workforce we lamented the outrageous cost of work clothing. Hence we decided to pool together - along with two other mums to create a "communal" wardrobe system. We are all roughly the same size (14-16). Firstly we each went through our wardrobes to select a six to eight good pieces. We took digital images and created a description of each and a tracking guide. Together we have over 24 pieces to select from plus handbags, scarves and costume jewellery. Clothes are kept in tiptop condition and we each pay $10 per month into a dry-cleaning fund. Each member needs to only contribute an additional 2-3 pieces per year to the wardrobe. This has drastically saved a huge amount of dollars that we each spent on work clothes. We rotate clothes every two weeks or can make a request for a special occasion. I got the job! And now I go to work looking great everyday (and in different gear!). People always comment on how fashionable I look and how can I afford it? We are also doing the same with evening gear as we all have something good that hardly gets worn - its a great way to recycle and save!
​- Contributed by Linda, Carlingford

​Clothes Swap

​Instead of having your children wear their siblings' hand-me-downs, trade with neighbours or friends who have children of the same sizes. The kids get a new look, and the price is right.