Top Tips for Hosting a Successful Fall Fashion Exchange Party 👗
Greetings frugal shoppers! 🎉 I'm back in action after a brief hiatus due to a bout of food poisoning, but nothing can keep me away from the fun for too long! I recently hosted my first fashion exchange party, and let me tell you, it was a blast! 👗 Despite the lack of photos to document the fabulousness of the event, the memories we created will last a lifetime, and this is sure to become a regular event!
To begin, you may be wondering, what exactly is a fashion exchange party? Essentially, it's an exclusive indoor event resembling a yard sale where all items are free of charge! The inspiration for this concept struck me during a getaway with girlfriends in September. I had just attended a remarkable yard sale (referred to as an "Ozempic yard sale," where the host sells off clothing due to significant weight loss) and had a few pieces that didn't suit me. I brought these items along on the trip, and my friends picked out what they liked. Each piece found a new home, sparking a fun session of trying on clothes, modeling, and engaging in activities like hair braiding and chitchat, creating a mature slumber party atmosphere... only with some drinks involved! This experience prompted the thought: what if we all decluttered our wardrobes and gathered a few months later for a day of catching up? Thus, the fashion exchange party was born.
To create a lively and engaging atmosphere, I utilized Canva to craft an eye-catching invitation (shown above). You have the option to use the one I created or unleash your creativity and design your own personalized invites. Following this, I extended invitations to the wonderful ladies I had the pleasure of vacationing with through a private Facebook event.
This platform allowed for seamless communication and served as a great way to keep everyone excited and motivated for our closet cleaning session. For refreshments, I prepared a delightful spread including a refreshing punch, my own zesty toasted ham and cheese creation (receipe below) , delicious pumpkin fritters with dipping sauce, and my famous pasta salad. To add to the fun, I encouraged each guest to contribute by bringing a dish or a signature drink, since we had the skills of professional bartender as one of the guests.
By pooling our culinary talents, we not only kept expenses in check but also relished a diverse array of delectable treats.😋
So, since this was my first event like this, and I wanted to keep the gathering small and intimate, I invited all the amazing ladies I've been on vacation with to join me for this event which turned into a fun fashion try-on session right in my living room! I'm thinking of turning this into a big summer bash next, where a bunch more friends can come over and we'll have style makeovers out on the patio and in my camper, which I'll turn into a cool "changing station." And who knows, maybe one day this could turn into a big public event with a fancy venue and tickets. It's so cool that my pals and I all wear sizes that are really close, which just adds to the fun and made everything flow smoothly.👗
To get ready for the party, I used a rolling clothing rack and non slip hangers, but I could have easily used two since I filled one completely. I made use of the built-in shelf in my dining room for jeans and more casual shirts. I sorted different items like shorts, purses, and casual pants and displayed them in decorative baskets and bins around the room. As my friends arrived with their items, they hung and organized them alongside mine. The last friend who showed up brought a lot of items, so we had to expand to the living room, filling both my couch and loveseat, and setting up a shoe display by the window. I broadened the selection by accepting gently used personal hygiene products, makeup, skin/hair care items, and fragrances which I arranged on a decorative vanity tray on my buffet. I even had a hair tool and jewelry organizer up for grabs.
In hindsight, I regret not dressing up my mannequin appropriately and using my folding screen for privacy along with a full-length mirror. Despite all of us staying together and feeling quite comfortable, I plan to include these items in the future when inviting more friends to create a genuine boutique atmosphere!
The whole idea was to have a great time celebrating abundance and positivity! Everyone could grab whatever they needed or wanted to add to their wardrobe. We had an amazing time mixing and matching items from each guest to come up with cool new, looks, cheering each other on. Among our awesome group of ladies, there was only support and kindness - no negativity or body shaming just a whole lot of friendship, fun, and sharing.
For a fun farewell surprise, I decided to get creative and make custom canvas bags using Canva, my trusty inkjet printer, and some magical transfer paper. Even though I made a rookie mistake by forgetting to reverse the print at first, the end result was a hit with the recipients! They absolutely loved their unique bags, which turned out to be both budget-friendly and super handy for carrying their latest fashion finds. This project turned out to be a breeze and quite enjoyable, requiring just a few simple materials: the bag itself, the special paper, a printer, and either an iron or a heat press. Each bag will surely be used on our future girls trips together.
These are the simple, just useful bags/parting gifts I created using Canva and transfer paper.
After the party ended, guests were given the choice to either take their remaining items back home or leave them for donation. I am a member of various Facebook groups where items are given or requested for free. Recently, someone from an outpatient facility, who frequently receives clients from jail, mental health facilities, and the streets, posted asking for clothing donations for the residents. I'm going to offer her first pick, and then donate the rest. I have no issue handling the unwanted items, as I am a frequent visitor to thrift stores and can easily take them along, but feel free to organize your party in any way that suits you!
We had such an enjoyable day, catching up before the craziness of the holidays, while scoring some free loot to boot!
After filling both my living and dining rooms with items, at the end of the party only these items remain.
Feeling a bit isolated in this extended winter season? How about sparking some joy by hosting your very own gathering! You could center it around different exchanges like home decor, a plant exchange🪴, or swapping children's clothing and toys. Not only will this help you connect with your friends, but it'll also bring extra fun, camaraderie, and variety when each friend brings along someone new. Plus, you'll be giving a new life to items and helping divert them from landfills. Let's turn those winter blues into a vibrant gathering full of laughter and shared memories!
Do you have a unique way to get rid of unwanted items other than donation or a yard sale? Have you had or have an idea for an exchange party?
Share your ideas below!
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I just loved this so much!❤️
I know I fell short on the bartending end but the adult slushies from the nearby distributor hit the spot. Also, kind of a bumber none of us had the same size feet. I’ll be looking forward to the next event and coming with some handbags, jewelry and fragrances. You were an amazing host, Maria. Don’t ever stop what you do.