Throw a Chic Fashion Swap Party

Ladies, there is something we are all guilty of doing: We accumulate clothing and accessories that we never wear. Most of them still look brand new even if they have been worn a few times, and others still have the tags on. They just sit in our closets, drawers and storage boxes, even as we keep telling ourselves we will wear them again eventually. Throwing them out would be a waste of money and perfectly good clothing, plus it piles more stuff in landfills.

So what to do with all the amazing tops, dresses and jewelry we don't wear? Host an eco-friendly clothing swap. From the invitations, to the party favors, to the goods each girl will take home, this is one eco-chic fashion event.

First, pick an evening when you can have the house all to yourself and your girlfriends. Now make the event special from the start by sending out eco-friendly invitations instead of just calling on the phone. We have discovered the perfect online invitation site Paperless Post. This easy-to-use site allows you to create gorgeous, customized invitations to email to your guests (they're so pretty you may never want to use the wasteful paper versions again). Make sure to ask guests to bring all their gently used or new pieces of clothing and accessories to exchange with the rest of the girls.

Before the party, gather some eco-friendly drinks, food and favors. Stores such as Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Cost Plus World Market carry sustainable brands that fit in well with an eco-themed event. Sangria is a perfect drink for summer and Cost Plus World Market offers a brand in eco-friendly packaging. Organic, fair-trade coffee is another great choice as the beans are grown without pesticides and you'll be supporting good working conditions and fair wages for farm workers. Similarly, you can also find fair-trade chocolates in exotic flavors such as dark chocolate with coconut flakes that make great little party favors. Fresh fruit from local farmers, markets and stands are great eco-friendly choices, and can even dry fruit yourself for a healthy and unique treat that is sure to be a hit.

On the day of the party, divide your living room in sections for tops, bottoms, jeans, outerwear, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Unused baskets and plastic organizers are helpful for keeping all the small items contained. Set up a bathroom or bedroom with a full-length mirror to use as dressing rooms. Put on some music and get ready for a fun and fashionable girls night in.

As guests arrive, have them arrange their items, grab a drink and some hors d'oeuvres and get started. As each guest walks in, hand her a trendy, reusable bag to carry any items she'd like to try on.

Have some fun with the night. You and your guests can model the new outfits and have a photo shoot. This is also the perfect time to swap all your natural and eco-friendly fashion and beauty tips.

After the party, instead of printing out pictures or writing the tips down on paper, create an online photo album from your digital shots and compile an eco-fashion cheat sheet in an e-mail for paperless access from anywhere at any time. You and your guests will not only have a fun and fabulous night, but will help each other decrease clutter, "shop" guilt-free and go green together.