February 24th, 2009
Today’s entry is written by fabulously funky Antje, a good friend and long time member of the YLF community.
As some of you have already experienced, clothes swapping can be frugal and fun. JuliJuli, Marianne and I put this to the test last Saturday when we hosted the first Seattle YLF clothing swap. JuliJuli opened her beautiful house to eleven YLF blog readers and forum members who arrived with armfuls of clothes and plenty of hugs and smiles to greet old friends and make new connections. And of course everyone was fabulously dressed!
After setting up and enjoying a mimosa or a cup of tea, we started to look through the colorful array of clothes, shoes and accessories. In no time, we were busily slipping into skirts, blouses, dresses and jackets, crowding the mirror, and modeling outfits for each other.
Angie generously provided expert feedback on what worked and what didn’t, and nudged us to try things that we might have overlooked because they were out of our comfort zone – like bright colors for Marianne, who now owns a green cardigan, the cutest kelly green flats and a fiery red blouse.
Jane left the swap meet in her new military jacket over an Ann Taylor animal print shell, layered over her own white button down shirt. Laurel found a black and white tie neck top from Anthropologie. Daphne delighted in the orange and red scarf Angie had bought in Amsterdam years ago. And Amanda rocked the teal Boden coat that Marianne contributed to the swap because the fit wasn’t perfect on her.
These are just a few of the many successful swaps that took place. We also admired Sinead in her new red and white wrap dress, Nafisa in a “perfect fit” hounds tooth pencil skirt, JuliJuli in melon and pink tops, and Cheryl in a black and white Express cardigan.
As for me, I was thrilled to pick up a fabulous wrap dress in a black and white graphic print, which I can wear with jeans or on its own; a black stretch pencil skirt; a cheetah print top (can’t have enough animal print, right?); and best of all, a bright yellow Nanette Lepore jacket with short sleeves and interesting tie detailing at the neck. I can’t wait to wear these wonderful “new” pieces, and I’m so grateful to those who contributed them!
But I took as much pleasure in seeing how some of the clothes I added to the swap came to life on others. Amanda rocked two of the skirts I brought as well as a blue summer dress; her body shape was just different enough from mine that the items fit her perfectly. Jennifer looked super in a Banana Republic denim skirt that always looked too short on me, and Anya left with yet another skirt of mine that looked fun and edgy on her and perfectly complemented the rest of the outfit she came in. It’s a really good feeling to see iffy pieces from your wardrobe work well on other people: It validates your vague sense of “this just isn’t flattering on me” and you rejoice in others breathing new life into the items.
The swap was so successful that we’re already talking about an encore, maybe six months from now at the beginning of the fall season. Stay tuned, and tuck away things that don’t work for you. One woman’s discards may become another one’s treasures!
Angie was photographer for the day, but came out from behind the camera long enough for us to get these photos.
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34 Replies
Posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Thank you for the wonderful write up Antje! This sounds like it was so much fun, I wish I could have been there. I am glad it was a huge success. The photos are great!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Thanks for the fab write up, Antje! You captured the adrenalin, bustle and excitement of the morning perfectly. It was a beautiful Seattle Winter’s Day and the sun shone through the windows for extra merriment (which made for better photo quality too). This blog post looks really happy, which is precisely how the event was. How wonderful!
Anya, the tall brunette who is standing next to me is actually wearing Antje’s swapped grey skirt. It worked so well with the outfit she was wearing that she kept it on the whole day. Julijulie is sporting her “new” swapped scarf and top in the picture you see at the bottom (with me). She also kept her outfit on. How’s that for feeling fabulous in your new goodies. So fab.
I hope this event inspires others to have successful swap parties. Food, fashion and friendship does not disappoint!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 8:35 am
So fun- you girls rock! 
Just wish I lived closer….
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Wonderful write-up! You all got some wonderful pieces. I am sure it helped that all of you were stylish to being with.
I wish I had a bigger place or I would host clotehs-swap for DC people. If I move this summer, I will definitely consider it.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Fun, fun fun!!! What a great way to spend a day with friends, and discover new finds!! Good for you gals!!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 8:55 am
What fun! You are all such pretty women, and very stylish. I find this blog just so incredibly motivating and encouraging. : )
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 9:05 am
That looks WONDERFUL. Wow, I really want to do a clothing swap now.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Absolutely, “Food, fashion and friendship does not disappoint!”.
How inspiring, it is amazing the positivity that flows when several fun women are gathered!! I’m proud of all parties involved, they have taken their YLF quotient up a notch.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 9:59 am
It really was a fun time – if anyone is thinking of having a swap in the future, rest assured that it is very little work for a ton of reward! Because we didn’t have any ‘rules’, I was a little worried it might be a disaster but everyone was so fun and friendly that it worked out perfectly. What a great group of ladies!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Great write up Antje. The swap party looks very festive and you all look FAB.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 10:48 am
It was so fun! And inspiring! Such wonderful, stylish ladies. I’ve only been on YLF for a short time, so I felt a bit like a donkey in a room full of gazelles- I have a lot of work to do. But everyone was very sweet and encouraging and I came away with a wonderful red wrap dress, a yellow cardigan, a pretty cream scarf and a great “date” blouse. JuliJuli, thanks so much for the use of your house. It was a perfect set up. I highly encourage YLF’ers in other towns to set up a swap.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Antje, I couldn’t agree more – it really is as much fun to see someone wearing your not-quite-perfect-on-you items and looking incredible in them.
The high spirits of the day really shine through in the photos! Great job, Antje.
What did your boys think of the ladies of YLF, JJ?
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
What fun and great style! I’m sorry I wasn’t in Seattle to participate!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Wish Dallas was closer…I would have been there! Some longtime friends came in for a visit yesterday and we had a mini swap. Even one item traded is cause for celebration!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
That’s it, I’m coming to the next swap party!!-)
You can tell from the pictures that it was a happy and cheerful event. You all look very stylish and I’m looking forward to seeing how you’ll be incorporating your new fab items into your wardrobes!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
wow, I had no idea the swap was going to be so well orchestrated! You guys looked like you were having a blast. Juli, your home is beautiful! I had no idea there were so many YLF Seattlites.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Looks like you had a great time. I think you can’t beat a bit of clothes swapping for eco friendly, frugal fun.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Great report, Antje! I’m so glad the swap was a huge success!
Anya, I noticed the necklace you got at the gem show. It looks fabulous with your outfit (s) and fits you very well.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
What a wonderful write-up, Antje. Thank you, JuliJuli and Marianne for organizing everything. It looks like you ladies did a superb job. I wish I could have been there. I see a lot of great items. Did you find that you had enough items, too much, not enough? Did people keep to the 6 or did they bring a lot more?
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Oh, that looks like so much fun!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Thank you for the wonderful write up, Antje. It was truly a great time.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
To Eva’s question…I know many of us brought more than the required 5…I think the published guideline was 5-15 items.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Thanks for the fabulous write-up, Antje. I desperately want to see that NL jacket. I bet it’s stunning. You all look great and it looks like you had tons of fun!
Angie, I am still lusting after those cream boots. Should you ever grow out of them, or upgrade to a new and better pair, I’m calling shotgun now!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Wow, how fun it was! Thanks for the beautiful pictures and write-up Antje!
I had a successful swap party two weeks ago as well. Ladies who came to the party already asked when to have the next one. I think your 6 month time frame is perfect, I might have another one too.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Love it!! You guys are having so much fun, what a success!!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I’m SO pleased with how the pictures turned out. They capture the mood of the jovial event really well
Nicole, there are many more Seattle YLF’ers. All my clients are YLF’ers. If our swap parties increase in number, we’ll have to hire a venue! We missed the Seattleites that couldn’t make it, and hope that you’ll join us next time. Inge, I’ll fetch you from the airport.
Maya, it’s a deal. You have first dibbs on my cream boots (Euro size 37). From one fussy foot person to another, I know you’ll believe me when I say that they are SO soft and SO comfortable. I can race around town in them for 10 hours (they have a one inch heel). I also thought of you and Antje when I put on my retro checked jacket that morning because the three of us are on a turquoise kick at the moment.
Julia and Carolyn, I’m thrilled to hear that your swap parties were also a hit. Here’s to the next one, 6 months from now.
Eva, the items that were left were bagged up for Dress For Success. Score!
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Angie, I’m waiting for you to get your own TV show (any execs listening out there?!)
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Oh my, Budget Babe! That’s quite a thought. My adrenalin is racing
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
How fun to see everyone looking so stylish and happy! I’d love to participate in a future Seattle swap if there is a sequel in the future.
Posted on February 24th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Oh, it looks like it was a super success! I’m sorry I had to miss it. Next time, hopefully…
Posted on February 25th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Angie & Ladies
This looks like such fun and such a success, I’m so sad I wasn’t able to attend. I’m VERY happy to hear you’re thinking of an encore, however. yay! I’ll be flagging items I’m ready to swap. Have a great summer!
Posted on February 25th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
[...] have turquoise knitwear, woolly scarves, a check jacket and a dress. I’m in the market for a turquoise blouse, Summer jacket, Spring scarf and handbag. [...]
Posted on March 12th, 2009 at 7:20 am
[...] we enjoyed the entries with beautiful photographs the most, such as the posts on YLF gatherings, clothing swaps and international experiences such as Anne Fontaine, Shell pearls from Hong Kong and the Dr. [...]
Posted on April 4th, 2009 at 9:56 am
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