A Swapping How-To

On my porch, bagging my new finds,
like this gorgeous LOFT skirt!

So, after my resounding success at last weekend's swap (seriously, I still can't believe I got so lucky), a few people have asked me how I prepared for the swapping festivities.  How did I decide what to bring?  What do you wear to the swap itself?  What do you look for in those piles of clothes?  How do you clean the clothes when you get home?  So, here's my basic guide on how to swap!

What to Bring

• Edit.  If you're like me, you just throw all of the stuff you take out of your closet into garbage bags to take to Goodwill.  Purging has always been a bit traumatic for me, so I couldn't take time with my decisions - if I got rid of it, it was gone.  however, the entire process of purging a closet is another post entirely; right now, you should just be worried about what's swappable.  
• Clean.  Anything you bring should be clean.  Enough said.  Failing to obey the laws of hygiene is just disgusting.
• Fix?  Clothes should be free of holes and stains, with working zippers and no missing buttons.  At least they should be most of the time.  You need to look honestly at that coat with the missing button and think, "will someone want this enough to sew a new button on it?"  Tiny stains might be removed, but gross underarm stains are no good.  Look at the pieces honestly.
• Fold.  I'm not saying things have to be perfectly folded, with crisp seams and square corners.  However, you don't want to shove all of your clothes into a sack willy-nilly.  The more presentable your clothes look, the more potential someone might see in them.  Don't let wrinkles cover up a great dress or blouse.

How to Prepare

• Look.  At your closet, that is.  Realize what you have too much of already, and what you might need.  You probably don't need to pick up a thirteenth black tee, for example.  But, you might need a new overcoat, or some work shoes, or a pencil skirt.  Most swaps are organized by item type - so you can walk in the doors, search for the rack of skirts, and start looking for the items you need the most.
• Open.  Your style perspective, that is.  Remember, all of this stuff is FREE.  So, be daring.  Try a trend you'd never spend the money on.  Pick a silhouette you've never worn before.  Let yourself look at new colors.  Swapping is a place to try new things without repercussions - if you hate it when you get home, you can always just send it to Goodwill.
• Layer.  When you get dressed on the day of the swap, dress in layers.  Lots of them.  You want to be able to try on clothes quickly, without having to fuss with buttons or bulky shapes.  Remember that you could end up trying on dresses as well as sweaters, pants as well as skirts.  I wore leggings and a tank beneath a maxi skirt and a tee.  And yes, I stripped down to that inner layer!  And wear shoes that slip off easily - I watched tons of girls eyeing cute shoes, but unwilling to unzip boots or untie laces.
• Bag.  Reusable shopping totes (the bigger, the better) - and if it's winter, bring an extra one for your big coat, as they might not have a coat rack.  A tiny purse - because you don't want to drag it around or worry about losing it.  

How to Swap

• Prioritize.  Go to the areas you "need" the most first.  Or the areas you simply like the most.  For example, I went to the dress rack first, since I'm a dress girl, and only perused the denim table once I was almost done.
• Take.  Snag items you're interested in and place them in your bag.  You can try on later - you don't want to get slowed down by trying on each item individually.
• Wait.  DO NOT be grabby.  Do not shove.  Be nice.  If someone else is looking at something you like - even if it's amazing - wait your turn.  I watched a girl walk away from my amazing vintage jacket.  I don't know why she turned it down, but it was mine with patience!
• Smile.  Again, just be nice.
• Help.  Offer opinions if people ask.  Hand people items they have their eyes on, if there's a crush.  Try to make room.  And have fun!
• Return.  Walk the room a few times.  People will put things back.  GOOD things.  Patience wins.

How to Get Stuff Home

• Bag.  Put EVERYTHING in plastic garbage bags before you place items in your car - seal tightly with a knot.  I left the bags in my trunk, and bagged everything when I got to my car.
• Treat.  For bedbugs.  No, it's not a glamorous part of a swap.  But it's the reality.  Bedbugs are becoming an outrageous problem, and I've watched friends agonize through an infestation.  They're my worst nightmare.  However, you can kill them with extreme heat or intense cold.  If you live somewhere freezing, leave the bags (triple-bagged, and tightly sealed for weather protection) outside for a few days.  You can also place items through the hot cycle of your dryer.  I do both.  All of my awesome finds are currently sitting in white plastic bags under our porch!
• Clean.  Because you can't trust that someone else did their laundry for the swap!  Read the clothing labels.  Most things will be fine with a traditional wash, but others might need to go to the dry cleaners.
• Fix.  Because you might have seen the potential.  Replace buttons.  Hem.  Remove stains (OxyClean is like magic).  Dye.  Make it your own.

Happy Swapping!