As we near the end of January, it seems like the days stretched and blended themselves together, making the month feel like a grey eternity. Chicago temps dropped sub zero with a windchill that could take your breath away.

So as you can imagine I spent a lot of time indoors, inside my closet specifically. I really took advantage of the time I had to meticulously judge the purchases of the past, the items I’ve been holding onto “just in case”, and the pieces I’ve had trouble styling. I know I’m not the only one who used this month to edit down what they own, so I’ll start by leaning in and sharing my experience of this popular post-New Year tradition.

There were a couple items I’ve admittedly been hoarding because of their sentimental value. Like this oversized vintage knitted sweater. It was a hand-me-down from my cousin over a decade ago. I wore it so much it started to look like a small child’s tattered blanket they can’t be without. Coffee stains and rips around the neckline was my sign that it was time to get rid of it. If what I seek for my closet is intention, then there needs to be a selective nature within that.

There were also items in great condition that I just hadn’t worn in a while. I no longer gravitated toward these items and I was sick of that inner voice creating scenarios of that time I might wish I have it. The hard rule this year was that if it had been sitting unworn for the last 365 days, it was time to pass it on to someone else.

These pieces were perfect candidates for hosting my first clothing swap at Petals & Jackets!

The event was at capacity, and people showed up with so many fantastic and interesting pieces that ranged from true vintage to modern clothing and accessories. We had about 25 women participate. Each person brought up to 7 items to pass on. My only rule to the group was to have fun, and if you see someone eyeing your donated item, introduce yourself and give some styling advice to them about your item. So many pieces were exchanged, passed around, and if it wasn’t quite right for one person, someone else was next to try. By the time the night ended, everyone left with new bundles that felt refreshing for them. Truly a win-win. Check out the four items I scored right here! I couldn’t believe the 1970’s limey green cardigan and Ralph Lauren blazer I took home with me.

The swap was also a great way for people to break up their week stuck inside their house or at work, make conversation with some new faces around styling & sustainability through fashion. It lights me up there’s so much community interested in these events right in our neighborhood. And what I loved most about this concept of a clothing swap was getting to see the life of an item go from one person to the next, living on in the hands of what was an initial stranger that soon became a friendly face. It’s so “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” in a way that felt so good. My friends Brie and Petra are now timesharing a vintage beaded sweater that they both looked fabulous in. I’m really looking forward to hosting these at the shop on a quarterly basis.

How to Keep your Secondhand Clothing Feeling like New:

When buying secondhand, you are doing so much good for the environment and typically putting money back into your local community. The pieces may not be in perfect shape, but there are tools I like to keep in my thrift kit to help with the longevity of the item. Here are a few of my all-time favs:

• The CONAIR pilling tool (get yours here!) - this small device has the power to take years of wear off a sweater. Do you ever thrift the perfectly oversized, perfectly cozy sweater or shirt only to find the amount of pilling on it and then you put it back. Well take a beat because once you have this tool and about 10 minutes to spare, you will have a perfectly swell item for your closet at a fraction of the price.
• Vintage buttons - I started buying vintage buttons in bulk on sites like eBay when I started my business. There would be so many beautiful items at the thrift store like a men’s Italian wool blazer, but a button or two would be missing. So I decided instead of passing on a quality made piece with a slight flaw, let’s get a needle and thread and a badass vintage button and bring it back to life in style. I even did this with my now husband’s vintage blazer I thrifted for him that he ended up wearing for our engagement photos. This blazer now holds even more sentimental value in our closet because it’s one-of-a-kind and represents a special time in our lives.

• Sewing kit - I bet this is something every thrifter has in their arsenal. It’s a very user-friendly beginner kit that’s packed with an array of colored threads, different sized needles, scissors, measuring tape. I keep this at my desk at the shop at all times as I bring new inventory in. Those who appreciate secondhand also appreciate upcycling, and I see this tool kit as a means to that end. Here is a great beginners kit if you’re interested in getting one yourself!