I Wear My Friends’ Clothes

I’ve been to a fair number of clothing swaps over the years, but I usually leave with one or two things at most — sometimes nothing. My body type isn’t always represented, and I’ve learned to go more for the community than the clothes.

But this time was different. Two friends in my neighborhood hosted a swap, and I came home with more treasures than ever before! The way Ceydi and Dana organized everything made the whole experience smooth and welcoming — signs for where to put different types of clothing, notes on which spaces were private (like the bedrooms), even a designated dressing room. On top of that, they made it a snack potluck, which gave it an easy, festive feel.

Here’s what I brought home and how I made each piece my own.

The Platform “Birks”

Like most Oregonians, I was ready to swap my sandals for clogs this fall. And the platform "Birks" caught my attention. When I got home, I spot cleaned them (I shared how I care for my Birks in this post) and I’ve already been wearing them out on errands.

The Two Pairs of Jeans

Jeans are the holy grail of clothing swaps, and I somehow found two pairs that fit.

• One just needed a wash and was good to go. I'm still amazed that they were a perfect fit, especially since they're men's Dickies. I love the embroidered flower detail!

• The other was a fixer-upper: four holes along the ankles (probably from a past hemming job) and a crotch area hanging on by a thread. Instead of tossing them aside, I decided they’d be the perfect canvas for some visible mending. I’ve been inspired by this video series and am looking forward to adding my own creative stitches.

There’s something exciting about rescuing a pair of jeans that someone else gave up on — they already have a story, and now they’ll have my repairs woven in too.

The Cropped Tee

This was a simple win. A basic cropped tee— one I’d even considered buying when it first came out. I freshened it up with my favorite tool, the fabric shaver, and it instantly looked like new, though it seems the flecked cotton was actually not a bug, but more like a feature...

The Jumpsuit

This piece was a bit of a communal experience — so many people tried it on throughout the evening, only to agree that the torso was just too short. I waited until later, once it was clear it hadn’t found its match, and decided to give it a try myself. Instead of forcing the fit, I plan to transform it into a set by separating the shirred top from the flowy bottoms. The lightweight fabric will make the perfect pair of pajama pants to lounge in at home — or to wear out to the market with an oversized cozy sweater.

The Forgotten Dress

This one makes me laugh. I tossed a wrap-style dress into my tote bag to try on upstairs, then forgot about it completely. When I pulled it out at home, I tried it on again — and it fit perfectly!

The neckline was a little too open for my liking, so I added a discreet snap button to keep it from gaping. It’s amazing how such a small tweak makes the piece feel totally wearable. I also noticed that the sleeve ties had been cut off, I might try to find a way to get them to look like the original.

Honestly, finding it later felt like unwrapping a bonus gift.

Reflections on the Swap

I left this swap with clothes I’ll actually wear and a renewed love for the concept. It wasn’t just about the things I brought home — it was also about how thoughtfully the hosts created the space. The clear signage, cozy vibe, and shared snack table made it feel like an actual event rather than a chaotic free-for-all.

Most of all, it reminded me that clothes can have many lives. With a wash, a repair, or a small adjustment, secondhand pieces feel personal and fresh again.

If you haven’t had the best luck at swaps in the past, I’d encourage you to give them another try. You never know when you’ll stumble on your next favorite pair of jeans… or a forgotten dress that feels like it was waiting just for you.

Have you ever attended a clothing swap? What was your best find?