clothing swap

Early 2026 San Diego Clothing Swaps

Abby H.Leave a comment

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kids’ wardrobes (and my own).

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

Here are just a few Q1 Clothing Swaps in the greater San Diego, CA area:

 

The Good Loop hosts clothing swaps in Southern CA frequently, but has nothing currently planned. I recommend following them on Instagram to stay in the know.

Let’s Go Girls SD also hosts clothing swaps frequently. Check out their Instagram page.

11/30/2025 Clothing Swap At Porchlight Community Services!

Abby H.

Looking to engage in some sustainable fun this weekend? Check out Porchlight Community Services’ end-of-year clothing swap this Sunday, November 30th, from 1pm-4pm.

Details can be found here.

They also have an upcoming toy swap on 12/6/2025, just in time for the holidays!

I love Porchlight. In addition to hosting swaps, they help keep food from ending up in landfills, and getting food into the hands (and bellies) of San Diegans in need. You can learn more about Porchlight’s mission here.

Affected by the 2025 Government Shut Down?

Abby H.

I know there are so many families in San Diego that are affected by the government shutdown. I wanted to post a small roundup to try and help those who may need help with groceries, clothes, or help with paying bills.

Food:

  •  Here is my page about San Diego, CA area food banks, food pantries, and produce distributions. You can also call 211, or visit the 211 website. They have tons of great resources, including information on housing, utility assistance, and transportation.
  • SNAP will continue through the end of October without interruption (SOURCE).
  • Per Reuters, WIC may run short on funding (SOURCE).
  • For those of us with pets, the San Diego Humane Society has a community pet pantry that runs at several of its locations. More information, including hours, can be found here.

Utilities:

  • Need help paying your power bills? SDG&E has several options, based on your situation. Visit their website here for more information on programs such as a medical baseline or low-income.
  • If you need help accessing the internet, Internet for All has resources to help here.
  • Contact your local water municipality for payment options. There are too many to list in San Diego County.

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon from the 12th district of California has a lot of information on her website here. This website is updated frequently as more information becomes available.

Housing:

If you are having financial struggles that affect your ability to pay your rent or mortgage, there are resources available.

  • Homeowners: Contact your mortgage carrier and let them know you are affected by the government shutdown. They may offer forbearances or other programs to help keep you in your home.
  • Renters: CPA Advisor has information and some tips (some of which are interesting) about how to handle the shutdown when rent comes due and you are without a paycheck due to the shutdown.
  • If you are in section 8 housing or receive vouchers for housing, the NAHRO has details and information here.
  • And the National Housing Law Project has information as well.

Insurance: If you are having a hard time paying your insurance (auto, renters, homeowners, etc), check with your insurance carriers.

Vehicle Loans: If you are worried about paying your auto loan during the government shutdown, contact your loan servicer. During previous shutdowns, companies such as Toyota Financial Services offered assistance to those who used their services.

USAA members can learn more about zero-interest loans here.

Clothing, household goods:

  • Closet of 54th helps those in need with clothes. They are open a few times each month. You can find them on Facebook. They are located at the Calvary Lutheran Church, 3060 54th Street, San Diego, CA. Contact The Closet at thecloseton54th@gmail.com.
  • Naomi’s Closet is located in Santee, and they provide clothing and toiletries to women in need.
  • Also not strictly clothing-related, but one of my favorite give-back orgs is the Buy Nothing Project. There are chapters all over the US, and we have a few here in San Diego. You would be surprised at how much your neighbors are willing to share.
  • Don’t forget Freecycle.

Upcoming 2025 Upcoming Clothing Swaps

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

AUGUST 2025

 Thread Bumpin’ Clothing Swap

Saturday, August 2, 2025 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM La Mesita Park 8855 Dallas St · La Mesa, CA

Only the following will be accepted:

  • Clean adult clothes
  • Jewelry
  • Makeup/perfume/beauty goods, accessories
  • Small personal items/decor

All leftover items are distributed to people in need through an NPO.

Crave Community is hosting a clothing swap on August 3rd, from 11am-1pm at San Diego Made Factory 2031 Commercial Street, San Diego, California 92213.

Bring your gently-loved clothes, swap for something new-to-you, and enjoy a welcoming space filled with good vibes and even better company.

More information can be found on their Instagram page here.

Chingona Cambio is hosting their first-ever clothing swap at Chula Vista Bayside Park

999 Bayside Parkway Chula Vista, CA 91910

on August 30th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

More information can be found here.

Tickets may not be available, but according to social media posts by the coordinator of this event, everyone is welcome, regardless of ticketing status.

On 8/16/2025, The Flower Pot is hosting a clothing swap, entry fee is $10. More information here.

 

SEPTEMBER AND BEYOND

In partnership with I Love a Clean San Diego, the San Diego County library branch in La Mesa is hosting a Sustainable Saturday: Clothing Swap on the following dates:

  • Saturday, December 6, 2025 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM La Mesa Branch Library 8074 Allison Avenue La Mesa CA 91942
  • Saturday, September 6, 2025 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM La Mesa Branch Library 8074 Allison Avenue La Mesa CA 91942

Bring one bag of unwanted clothes and accessories (for all ages!) to the library and leave with a fresh, new-to-you wardrobe! Items must be in good condition; no rips, tears, or stains.

I find clothing swaps by joining local area clothing swap groups, both through Facebook and Meetup.

April 2025 Upcoming Clothing Swaps

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

April means Earth Day is coming up! And that means clothing swaps!

Clothing Swap at La Mesa’s Earth Day Fair!
Join I Love A Clean San Diego for a free clothing and accessories swap during the City of La Mesa’s Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 19th, at the La Mesa Community Garden! Swap your gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories and find your next favorite outfit while helping keep textiles out of the landfill.

La Mesa Community Garden – 5080 Memorial Dr.
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
No registration is needed – walk-ins are welcome!

Women’s Clothing Swap
Location: The Chapel at Grossmont
5651 Water St, La Mesa, CA
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10 am-2 pm
How it works:
Bring your gently used* WOMEN’S CLOTHING, accessories, shoes, etc. and trade them for items you want to take home. No selling, no buying, just swapping. You simply drop off your items on the front table and you can start shopping for items you want to take home – free! Come and drop off all the items you want to swap and leave with items that will bring value to you.
Items can include:
-Gently used* or semi-new clothing pieces
-Gently used* or semi-new shoes
-Jewelry pieces
-Accessories: scarfs, hats, purses, belts
*Items should be freshly laundered and either on hangers or laid flat in a box (not in bags, please)

Reminders:
– SWAP FOR YOU. NO LUGGAGE PLEASE. NOT FOR RESALE.
– Bring a bag to take home all your finds.
– Wear tights and a fitted blouse to easily try on clothes.

Fall 2024 Clothing Swaps (San Diego, CA area)

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).

There are a few upcoming swaps that I recommend. Both are for adult clothes and accessories.

And as always, And if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

FREE Clothing Swap & Decor & Extra!
Location: Pioneer Park 1501 Washington Place, San Diego
Sunday, October 6, 2024
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM PDT
Bring clothes, small decor, and Unused makeups / perfumes, personal items to donate or swap. Open to all genders, ages, and sizes.
Bring your unwanted, clean, in good repair clothing and extras to take home new clothing. Take what you want and leave what you don’t want. Clothing, accessories and small personal items are accepted. * No books, or any heavy items please.

Green LOVE Clothing Swap
Location: Montezuma Hall
6075 Aztec Circle Dr · San Diego, CA
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
12:00 PM to 4:30 PM PDT
For more information, check out the website: https://as.sdsu.edu/greenlove/swapshop

Porchlight Halloween costume swap
Location: 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Suite F, San Diego, CA
Saturday, October 12th
9:30 am-11:30am
For more information or to sign up to participate, check out the website: https://events.humanitix.com/kids-costume-swap

Women’s Clothing Swap
Location: The Chapel at Grossmont
5651 Water St, La Mesa, CA
Saturday, October 19, 2024
10 am-2 pm
How it works:
Bring your gently used* WOMEN’S CLOTHING, accessories, shoes, etc. and trade them for items you want to take home. No selling, no buying, just swapping. You simply drop off your items on the front table and you can start shopping for items you want to take home – free! Come and drop off all the items you want to swap and leave with items that will bring value to you.
Items can include:
-Gently used* or semi-new clothing pieces
-Gently used* or semi-new shoes
-Jewelry pieces
-Accessories: scarfs, hats, purses, belts
*Items should be freshly laundered and either on hangers or laid flat in a box (not in bags, please)

Spring 2024 Upcoming Clothing Swaps!

Abby H.

Earth Day is coming soon and that means clothing swaps!

Slow Down Party on Hourglass Field:

  • Tuesday, April 16, 2024
  • Hourglass Field House 10440 Black Mountain Road San Diego, CA 92126.
  • 5 to 7 p.m

Come by to wind down after a long day, exchange some wardrobe pieces, learn about the circular economy, and build community with fellow San Diegans. No registration is required, and walk-ins are welcome. Please bring no more than one grocery bag full of donations that are lightly used with no rips, stains, or odors. Donations are welcome, but not necessary to take home a new outfit!

Celebrate Earth Day with the Mission Trails Regional Park!

  • Monday, April 22, 2024
  • Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail San Diego, CA 92119
  • 6 – 9pm

This swap is a little different because it’s a fundraiser for the park as well as a swap, but it still looks like a fun night!

Women, Men’s, and Children’s Clothing- Clothes should be clean, in wearable condition, and free of stains, rips, or tears that are not part of the clothing design. No undergarments or socks, please. All leftover clothing will be donated.

For more information, please visit the website or contact the park directly. mtrp@mtrp.org
(619) 668-3280

Porchlight clothing swap: The Porchlight clothing swap is back! Just in time for summer.

  • June 8, 2024 
  • 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
  • 9:30-11:30am

For more details, check their website, or their social media. 

If you aren’t in the immediate San Diego, CA area, I suggest googling Clothing Swap (your area) 2024 and see what pops up.

For more info on clothing swaps and clothing for those in need, check out my article here. 

San Diego Area Upcoming Clothing Swaps

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).

There are a few upcoming swaps that I recommend. Both are for adult clothes and accessories.

 

April 8, 2023 Porchlight Community Services, Inc. 8888 Clairemont Mesa Blvd From their site “We invite you to be part of our SWAP PARTY! Bring clothing, accessories, personal hygiene, or toiletries.

There is a $5 fee, however, it goes to offset the cost of their programs, which are incredible.

The Second event is my personal favorite: Spring Swap for extended sizes 14 and up on May 7, 2023.

I always find cute clothes at this swap, and I love it because it’s all plus-size clothes. I always fill my Ikea Bag with clothes, accessories (and usually shoes too).

And if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

Cleaning your Closets: 5 Items That Have To Go!

Abby H.

I’m bringing this up because it’s time to pull out some of my fall/winter clothes and donate some of my older clothes, or clothes that I don’t wear as often.

Here are my Five categories for giving clothes the boot:

Stains: You know that one shirt in your closet that you love, but it has a stain that won’t come out. It’s time for it to go.  Clothing can be donated to be recycled. To find your closest clothing recycling location, click here.

It doesn’t fit: Too small, big, long, or short- it has to go. Time to throw those in the donation pile.  This goes for shoes too!

Needs repair and you lack the time or skills to mend/fix. The pants hanging in your closet are so cute but they are 1/4 inch too short and you can’t sew? One Caveat- Undergarments that are holely or stretched out go directly to the trash. No one is darning mass-produced socks. I mend and repair my clothes as needed weekly. If you are looking to learn about mending clothes, check out my post here. 

Out Of Style: Low-rise jeans? Powder Blue Tuxedo? Your Prom Dress from 1997? Time to throw those in the donation pile.

Cheap Crap:  This encapsulates several categories- Knock off’s (They are mass-produced in horrible conditions), poorly produced “fast fashion” that offers no quality and doesn’t add anything of substance to your wardrobe, and anything you bought and wore once, and it was damaged or you swore you’d never wear again. In my opinion, cheap shoes are the worst and are usually tossed into this pile.

Once you have your donate pile, if you are looking to donate straight away, check for your local non-profits needs. I also like donating my unwanted good clothes to local clothing swaps. For more info about clothing swaps, click here. 

2 Upcoming Clothing Swaps in San Diego!

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kids wardrobes (and my own).

There haven’t been too many clothing swaps since the pandemic started, but I have found two coming up that are going to be GREAT!

Saturday, August 06, 2022, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Foothills Church 365 W Bradley Ave, El Cajon CA

The women’s ministry is hosting a FREE clothing exchange! You can swap gently used women’s & children’s clothing and infant essentials. They have limited space, so please no toys or books. There will be no childcare available, so keep that in mind. If you want to drop off items early, Look for the bins in their lobby. I’m dropping off items tomorrow.

August 27, 2022 Porchlight Community Services, Inc. 8888 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Suite B San Diego, CA
Clothing Swap
From their site “We invite you to be part of our SWAP PARTY! Bring clothing, accessories, personal hygiene, or toiletries, OR you’re welcome to donate a bag of canned/shelf-stable food to participate. *Expired food will not be accepted*”

This is a fundraising event, donate what you can ($5 suggested) or you can bring canned goods to donate on the event date to participate. We will gladly accept them on the day of the event.

Please drop off items to swap in advance: 8/25 Thursday 10 am-5 pm or 8/27 Saturday *Before 9 am.  For more information, check out the event page here. And to learn more about Porchlight Community Services, check out their website.

And if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post from earlier this year here.