Get New Clothes Without Opening Your Wallet

By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

With consumers tightening the reins on spending, it's no wonder that clothing sales were down nearly four percent in 2008.

It's party time at Erin Chace's house, but it isn't your typical girls night out, it's a clothing swap party!

"I thought it was a dynamite idea," Chace said.

A clothing swap party is when a group of friends gets together for an evening of chatting, dining, and trading clothes.

Kathryn Finney of thebudgetfashionista.com said it's one of this year's hottest trends.

"It's a way to sort of build up your closet without opening your wallet and right now, with the challenge that we're facing in our economy, that's a great thing," Finney said.

Nominate someone to hold the party and get ready for some closet therapy.

Finney said that anything is up for grabs at the fashion soirees, including clothing, shoes, even handbags.

Accessories like belts and sunglasses are always a big hit because they're sizeless and classic.

At Chace's party, each item was displayed so that everyone had a chance to check it out, try it on and grab it.

"If you've got something that you know one of your good friends would look good in and she's the same size as you, that's probably a good jumping off point," said Candita Clayton, author of "Clean Your Home Healthy."

If style swappers want the same item, Finney said party games can really spice things up.

"I've been to clothing swap parties where we've had a dance off and whoever dances the best actually gets that prize," Finney said.

The goods at Erin's house went fast. She and her friends scored some stylish outfits and their old duds now have a brand new home.

"I can't wait to tell these other gal friends that I'm friendly with to do the same thing," Chace said.

Finney said not only is this a great idea for adults, high school kids will love it, too.