“Not only is this a fun way to get rid of some of the overflowing stuff in our closets,” says The Eastside Girls co-founder, Jade Wills, “but it is also a great way to give back. We’re hoping other girls will pick up the idea and form their own clothing swap party groups.”

The Eastside Girls’ original swap party took place in 2006, when a few friends decided to clean out their closets and compare notes. They exchanged items they could use and then donated the rest to charity. Word got around, and last year over 40 women shared in the experience.

“The party just keeps getting bigger and bigger every year,” says. Wills. “This year we are already up to over 60 girls who want to attend and we have not even sent out the e-vite! Once the e-vite goes out the girls are welcome to invite more of their friends.”

Before the swap party begins, all items are organized and placed on hangers for easy access. Everyone has a chance to look over the collection, and there are rules to ensure that each woman at the party has a fair chance to choose the clothing and accessories she wants to create her special look. There is a fashion show at the end, and a prize is awarded to the woman with the best-put-together outfit.

Items that are not chosen are given to charity, and some of the women specifically designate articles of clothing to be donated and not a part of the swapfest.

“Last year,” says Wills, “we chose the Charlotte Battered Women’s Shelter as our charity. We had over ten 40-gallon bags full of clothes that we donated. With more women participating this year, we anticipate that there will be even more for us to ‘give back.’ ”

Some of this year's gently used leftover items will be consigned to J.T. Posh at 2400 Suite 2A Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28203 (704-375-1334). The rest will be auctioned off on eBay as one big lot. Proceeds from both the boutique sales and the eBay auction will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure (formerly The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation).

The items to be auctioned on eBay will be listed as The Eastside Girls Charity Lot, beginning on January 25 and ending on February 3.

Boutique items will be available for sale on January 25. The Eastside Girls have made special arrangements with the boutique so that people consigning items in January may request that proceeds from those items go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, in conjunction with The Eastside Girls’ contribution.

The swap party is private and by invitation only, but the boutique sale and eBay auction give everyone a chance to participate in the sharing and giving back … and getting some great stuff to boot!