Clothing Exchange Rules

1.  The Clothing Exchange is open to everyone.

2. All items taken to a swap must be in clean and good condition. If an item is in need of minor repair it should be indicated with a note attached to the item.

3.  What to bring: Please only bring things that you are comfortable giving to a close friend, not the ratty stuff we all have & have been meaning to part with.. Shoes, belts, bags, hats, coats, accessories and wearable other things all fair game!

4.  Whatever is left behind at the end of the night & not claimed will be donated to Mobile loaves and Fishes(i.e. you won’t get your goods back, be prepared to part with them!)

5.  Please bring bags (paper, cloth, etc). You’ll need them for your new goods.

6.  Once something is in someone’s bag, it is theirs. You can bargain and trade of course, but poaching not
allowed.

7.  Please be respectful of each other. We all come in shapes & sizes and that’s what makes clotheswaps work and it’s what makes them fun!

8.  Remember, we all arrived in clothes. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and reach into someone else’s pile/bag, but it’s easy to misplace what you came in! please be mindful of this (& refer back to #5)

9.  It would be helpful if you can bring your items in a way that makes it easy to for others to identify and use – small items or jewelry should be in small baggies, anything in a pair (including shoes) should be attached together or put into a clear plastic bag to be kept together if you can not tie them together by other means. If the size is not easily seen – attach a note with the size and fit of the item.

10.   In some cases there may be a call for items which are damaged but can be pulled apart for re-use of the fabric or components – or in some cases accepted damaged with the receiver responsible for repairs. All such items must be clearly identified and separate from swap items which are in good condition.

11.  Bring more than you plan to take back at a swap – this will ensure that there is a good selection and left over items to be donated to charity. Also – bring the quality of item you would like to receive and be fair – do not come to the swap with a few t-shirts and walk away with multiple high-end or designer items… bring your good stuff if you want to get good stuff from others. Don’t be greedy.

12.  There are no guarantees, stated or implied, that anyone will receive anything at a swap in exchange for the items they bring. There is no guarantee that you will find something you like and want to take in exchange for what you brought.

13.  Come to the swap prepared and properly dressed – wear something you can easily keep on to try items on top of. There will most likely be no dressing room’s or private areas at a swap to try-on the items. If you wear something to adequately cover you – and you are not shy – you may try on items in front of the other swappers.

14.  There may not be any mirrors available at a swap event either – so ask others how the fit looks / how the item looks on you – maybe bring a friend you trust to help you with this. Have them snap a quick photo with a cellphone so you can look at the item on you right away.

15.  Bathrooms at a swap are not dressing rooms. They are to be kept free for regular bathroom use. No one should take up a bathroom for too long. Be contentious of others.

16.  There is no guarantee that you will receive any item at a swap. If you see an item you like but someone else picks it up first – you have no claim to it. If two or more people see and go for an item at the same time – they should be courteous and work it out between each-other in a fair and polite manner. If there is a dispute over any item – that item may be taken by swap organizers or helpers, confiscated and set aside to be donated to charity instead. No one has claim to or can expect to receive any item at a swap.

17.   No one should be grabbing or hoarding items, be rude or cut off people and rush to collect as many items as possible before others have a chance to go through them. The object of a swap is not to get as much as you can of the best that is available. Instead people should be courteous and conscientious of others, fair and just have fun. If you don’t get something you want – let it go. The end result should be to clean out your closets and let go --- not to pack them with even more than you had to begin with. Bring what you don’t use or wear, and bring back a nice piece or two that you will enjoy and use.

18.  HAVE FUN. Tell your friends about the swap and spread the word – the more people who know about the event and can participate, the better it is for everyone.