You've heard the trash-treasure adage a million times, and I'll probably repeat it often in Fix.  But it's true!  Last week 8 or 10 friends got together in Brooklyn to offload the random clothes that never worked or gifts we couldn't bring ourselves to wear.  The good thing about clothing swaps rather than giving to Goodwill is that you have a relationship with where your stuff is going and some of the emotional details remain intact.  I can get rid of the silk shirt I spent too much on because I can see that it looks way better on my friend.  Even if no one bites, everyone gets a laugh out of the aunt who insists on giving her neice elaborate monochromatic outfits.  Plus, among friends the respect factor goes up a little: we throw the disgusting t-shirts out rather than try to pass them off as acceptable "donations."

I'd estimate that at least 40% of my wardrobe consists of swap items at this point.  Almost my entire work repertoire came from other nine-to-fivers who make more money than I do - I'd like to spend as little as possible on bland button-downs, sweaters, and slacks.  This time, I managed to assemble a decent bag of discards despite moving a lot recently and going to a good number of swaps in the last year.  I ended up with three brand-new t-shirts, a perfectly cute coat my friend's boyfriend disliked, an apron, and a book.

Treasure?

        
Trash!