Clothes-swapping parties

I hadn't heard about clothes swappingparties until I was invited to one by a somewhat eccentric work colleague lastFriday night.

'You'll love it' she gushed, 'come over at about eight, and bringany old junk your looking to get rid of.'

Admittedly I wondered how exactlysitting around exchanging unwanted junk could possibly be any fun at all.

Mynegativity and reluctance must have been ill- concealed because she hastilyadded 'there will be plenty of alcohol'.

So I was sold, and that evening Ibegan hastily pulling discarded rags out of my wardrobe and piling them intoblack bags.

To my horror many of the items still had their tags on, forgottendresses and forlorn looking shirts and tops belonging to my size 8 days.

Surprisingly everyone I spoke to about thisnew 'craze' was a lot more in the know than I was with my friend Jo confessingto being an 'avid fan' of these bizarre get togethers.

So it became apparentthat I was a bit out of the loop, and on Friday I arrived determined to embracethe situation, however foreign it seemed to me.

Typically I arrived late, andthe room was already laden with everyone's garments, and to my relief plenty offood and wine for everyone.

After chatting and drinking for a good 30 minuteswe began to root around everyone's stuff.

Surprisingly everyone I spoke to about this new 'craze' was a lot more in the know than I was.

Sian Elliott Williams

There were 6 of us there and plentyof clothes to go round, I even managed to pick out a few sought after luxuries-a summer dress from top shop and a pair of satin red wedges, all this withoutspending a penny, and clearing out my own clutter simultaneously.

Maybe it was the merlot going to my head but Ireally began to see the appeal of the event and it suddenly dawned on me, likesome sort of epiphany, what these gatherings were really about.

They representmore than a chance to socialise and have a drink.

Rather they present anotherway of helping to raise environmental awareness and although this message maybe overshadowed by the excitement of free clothes it is there.

Another plus isthat they give you the opportunity to clear out your junk, and many of thehoarders I spoke to attested to this.

One in particular, Rick, said that theseevents forced him to do something about the ever-growing pile of unwanted stufflurking in his wardrobe.

'It's not that it's complete crap' he added 'you needto be realistic, bring things that people will want otherwise it defeats theobject, but be generous; people are interested in the oddest things!'

The night was a complete success, itallowed people to swap clothes in a relaxed atmosphere without any shoppinganxiety, cramped changing rooms or mouthy sales assistants, and as I totteredhome in my brand new heels I knew I was sold- clothes swapping had definitelyfound a place in my heart.