Black Bag Nights

climbgirl

I've mentioned this idea before in other threads and other boards, but it seems like it belongs here in Old Style

A couple of years ago my friend started what our group now calls 'Black Bag Night' - the idea is fairly simple. You set aside a night for a group of people to meet at someone's house. Everybody collects their unwanted clothes and shoes, cleans them if necessary, piles them into a bag and brings them along on Black Bag Night.

The items are put into a big pile and one by one, the hostess (or host!) holds up an item to see if there are any takers. If there's more than one person interested the item goes into the fight pile to be argued over later on! At the end of the night any leftover items are put aside to be taken to the charity shop (or sold on ebay if you're really keen!).

The only rule is that there are no judgments made - we've all bought things we wish we hadn't Putting the items into a big pile at the start of the night helps this - makes those fashion faux pas a little more anonymous!

It's a fantastic way of having a fun cheap night out (they're always more fun if you bring along some nibbles and wine as well!) and to get some new clothes into the bargain. It always amazes me that people want things that I just can't stand anymore! It's a good idea to invite a good mix of people, not just your close friends - otherwise you find you just pass things around the group. The wider the circle of people, the more variety you'll get.

And don't just stop at clothes! We've found books, cds and dvds are pretty popular, and now we pretty much bring along any unwanted odds and ends - handbags, jewellery, fairy lights, we've had them all!

I just thought I'd share the idea with you all - it's always good fun and most importantly, a cheap night out!

[Deleted User]

What a brilliant idea. I bet a few of us will buy some disasters in the January sales. I have all sorts of junk that I have bought over the years and bunged them in the cupboard under the stairs.
For some reason I bought a couple of years ago a Kenwood Ice-cream maker, it is still sitting in the box un-opened after three years .(I don't even like ice cream that much).
What other odd things have folks bought and never used
I also bought one of those twisted garden fork thingys when they came out ,it cost me about £30.00 It is sitting in my shed and has never been used. I suffer with arthritis and can't use it at all.Anyone who lives in the Medway area is welcome to it, as it will never get used. I think a Black bin night sounds like a real good idea.

Bogof_Babe

I think that's a wonderful idea too. You could invite the neighbours, as your circle of friends might already know what you've worn when out with them.

Just goes to show how one person's faux pas is another person's treasure!

Swan_2

what a great idea! brings all sorts of useful possibilities to mind

squiggles

brill idea,now all i need is some friends :rotfl:

Gingham_Ribbon

That's a lovely idea. I think we could make that work with CDs and records.

skintchick

Are you all the same size then? Me and my mates are totally different sizes ranging from 8 to 20-odd, so it wouldn't work for us.

ancasta_2

Most of my friends are "skinny runts" where im "built for family" lmao.

Would work with other goods lke shoes and bags, make up and what not.... saying that, most of my mates are blokes like. eeek.

climbgirl

skintchick wrote:

Are you all the same size then? Me and my mates are totally different sizes ranging from 8 to 20-odd, so it wouldn't work for us.

That's why it's good to get a range of people along! It doesn't have to be just clothes, that's just what we started out with. CDs, books, dvds, shoes, handbags, household bits and pieces (cushions, rugs, dustbusters), it can be anything really!

henhog

I sort of did this with my own clothes - I got the new Trinny and Susannah book out of the library and after reading it noticed that often all they do is put two items together to make a new look, like a long sleeve t shirt under a short sleeve one, or a vest top under a shirt. I also have a few jackets and I never wear them, so I decided I would wear them , even though it might just be to pick the kids up. Same with handbags - I have used some that I would normally consider too 'good' in the day so instead of keeping them in the cupboard for best, I have decided to use them. The result is people are commenting on my clothes, asking whether I've been on a spending spree etc, when I've just used what I've got but in a new way and it hasn't cost me a penny.
Love the idea of black bag nights! Superb idea. Everyone could bring some food and a bottle and it costs next to nothing. Superb! :j

elona

henhog

Great idea - I have just adapted it by getting three long sleeved tops for DD - one in black, white and grey - so that she can wear a summer top over one of them and get a lot of new looks - as she is in 6th form and non uniform she likes to ring the changes.
Asda do tops from £1.75 each so great value and she feels as if she has something new.