A fashion Swap It

Fashion stylist and freelance journalist Chloe tells us what to look out for at this season's clothes Swapping It

This season raid your friends' wardrobes for all things sheer and floaty and anything you find in khaki or beige Swapping clothes is cheap, cheerful and a great excuse for an evening of fashion and fun clothes lined up at the London College of Fashion's Swap It

Swapping clothes can be loads of fun! It's cheap, it's cheerful, and it's a great excuse for an evening of fashion and fun. This season, raid your friends' pretty floral dresses (see Nicolas Ghesquière for a modern, neon update), swishy dirndl skirts (Gucci, Moschino), or anything ethnic or hippy-looking. Boho's had an up-grade this season, so not too thread-bare please.

Keep an eye out for all things sheer and floaty; transparency was a deliciously feminine trend on Jil Sander and Richard Nicoll's runways this season. But perhaps most versatile will be the 'Safari chic' pieces. Basically anything you find in khaki or beige; safari jackets, knee-cut shorts with belts and pockets, or fitted Sahara-style shirts. Boudoir, corsets, camis, French knickers, whilst a gorgeous trend (underwear as outer-wear), might be better suited to their original bedrooms! Looting second-hand flip-flops and sandals is your call. Gladiators may be huge right now, but there's no underestimating how fragile (or smelly?!) older footwear might be.

Trends aside, a fashion Swap It is the perfect occasion to stock up on timeless closet staples. Your best mate might have grown tired of it, but certain items will slot really usefully into your wardrobe: classic-cut trousers, 'boyfriend' shirts, denim (the more faded and destroyed the better right now) and statement jackets.
Above all, have fun, and remember, you can look cool and on-trend without spending your pay-check on the high street. Ethical fashion is the future!