If you couldn’t make it this time, you MUST come next time. As I put my “new to me” clothes on to photograph for today’s post, I realized one new perk of a clothing swap: you get to experiment with new styles without sacrificing a giant investment if you later decide you don’t like it.  You also get to try brands you may have always wanted to try but never gotten around to.

Case in point: this size 16RC Pepperberry dress that fit me perfectly, over a 34G polka-dot Panache Cleo bra (excuse the hair clips). This was the ONLY Pepperberry item at the swap, ladies, and I was lucky because the 5’10” woman who brought it found it too short on her. Imagine having one of these swaps in London and being able to try Pepperberry styles to your heart’s content?

Next up, a brown corduroy Cherokee jacket that I can actually button. Since I’m trying to stay away from blacks and greys this fall, this will be a good addition to my layering options.

Here’s an example of trying something I wouldn’t normally have: a tunic! The colors caught my eye, and I think I’m finally going to venture into leggings for this.

Finally, I thought I’d try the blazer over the tunic while I was photographing. I think it works. What do you think?

If you think you’d like to organize a busty clothing swap in your own city, contact me (darlene [at] hourglassy [dot] com), and I’ll tell you what I learned from this experience. The biggest challenge was getting women to come. Perhaps some of the women who heard about it didn’t identify as “busty”, or maybe they didn’t want to part with their great busty finds (planning either to lose weight and fit them again or holding onto them in case they gain weight again?). Or maybe it was such a gorgeous day outside and they already had weekend plans. I’d love to hear your suggestions for increasing participation next time around because it was so successful–EVERYONE left with at least one “new to them” find–that I know we’ll be having another one.

One great thing about having the event at ClosetDash Shop was that we weren’t limited to what was brought in that day. Here is the rack of items we brought in, plus items that ClosetDash founder Jennifer Lee culled for us:

Another great thing about ClosetDash? Jennifer has posted these items on her website so that you can participate from your own computer. Most of us also found items with design features that flatter us on the other racks at ClosetDash as well.

I have tons more to share, and I’m sure you know the raffle items were a GIANT hit. Everyone left with something she liked from that as well, and the goody bags were packed with valuable discounts and samples. THANK YOU to the fabulous donors who made these items possible. I’ll be mentioning you by name here again soon. For now, I’ll leave you with images from the swap itself.

Ready for the swappers to arrive.
First swapper arrives, and she happens to be my amazing pattern maker, which meant that the other swappers were asking her for advice on alterations and having custom clothing made. What a bonus!
Bijte designer checking out the raffle item descriptions.
Bralebrity Moira Nelson of Bralamode showed up and walked away with the Empreinte set and Two Figs chemise!
The ClosetDash intern color codes the clothing that is brought in.
The amazing way the DD Atelier London jacket fit Miss Underpinnings!
Some mother-daughter quality time in the clothing racks.
More happy swappers!