Frequently Asked Questions
Our Story
1) What is our story, our mission and how do we want to serve you? 


2) Why SwapIt?

Traditional retail and shopping just doesn't cut it anymore. Its created for the masses, not for the individual. Stores and designers tell you what to like, what looks good on you and what you need to buy. 

No one ever asks you. Until now.

SwapIt is a personalized experience. We ask you what you want, need and what makes you feel your best. We ask you if you like it. We are created to cater to the unique person that is you. 

While you take care of everyone and everything in your life. SwapIt takes care of you. 

SwapIt provides personalized fashion advice and a way to expand and consolidate your wardrobe. By working one on one with a personal stylist you build a partnership to create a wardrobe that treats you better. A wardrobe that you love, feel great in and makes you happy to be seen. 

We have a well thought out and tested process to make sure you find the best pieces to suit you and your lifestyle. Our experienced and non judgmental stylist walks you through the whole process with ease. You will walk out saying that was fun and feeling like a million bucks. All for only $50.

3) What Does SwapIt Do?

SwapIt provides personalized fashion advice and a way to expand and consolidate your wardrobe. By working one on one with a personal stylist you build a partnership to create a wardrobe that treats you better. A wardrobe that you love, feel great in and makes you happy to be seen. 

We have a well thought out and tested process to make sure you find the best pieces to suit you and your lifestyle. Our experienced and non judgmental stylist walks you through the whole process with ease. You will walk out saying that was fun and feeling like a million bucks. All for only $50.

4) Why Second Hand Clothing? 

With the rise in cheap clothing and fast fashion the clothing industry is one of the top polluters. Not only does it take resources like clean water and power to create these items that may only be worn a few times, but the average US citizen throws away between 70-80lbs of textiles a year.  There is no need for any of that.

But we love clothing and don't want to limit ourselves!

Being green doesn't mean having less, it just means doing things differently. 

So we created a way to make a circular clothing economy that appeals to traditional thrift store shoppers as well as people who like a little more tailored, upscale and personal experience. 

And thats our number one goal, keep clothing out of landfills for as long as possible by encouraging as many people as possible shopping second hand.

5) Who We Are
Stefanie Johnson – founder, CEO, and consummate system-maker. It’s her job to inspire you to conquer your day by using your wardrobe as a tool to get what you want and live the life you love. She’s tried the personal shopper and stylist route, and they never worked – so she created a better way for women to feel stylish, without spending more money!
Sara Baker – resident stylist, degree in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Marketing, history of creating sophisticated looks for Ann Taylor’s The Loft, Rue La La and TJ Maxx Corporate. Her personal style is a mix of old-meets-new vintage, sophisticated yet quirky, and just a bit girly. She’s always been the “go-to” friend for closet clean-outs and wardrobe advice, and she’d be delighted to be your friend too.
Kristina Turnbull – newest stylist for the SwapIt team, has a strong love of fashion. She wanted to be around clothing so much that she even worked at a uniform company for a while (think Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead). She has been making people look and feel their most beautiful through her photography and background in the arts. Kristina is a loving mother of two, who loves life and exploring new things. With her main passion of bringing out the best in people. 
Is This for You?
1) Most of our clients answer NO to these questions

Do you like shopping?
Do you feel confident in most of your outfits?
Do you know how to dress for your body?
Do you enjoy playing with clothing and creating your own outfits? 
Do you have ample time to get ready in the morning?
2) Most of our clients answer YES to these questions

Is finding the perfect outfit a struggle for you?
Would guidance on getting dressed make it easier?
Are you done feeling stressed and frustrated when getting ready?
Are you willing to invest in yourself?

3) Who do you serve? 

Anyone that wants to wear women's clothing because that is all we stock. 
We are open to women, men and transgender communities. 
Oh, and we would prefer that you are also a nice person :) 
4) What sizes and brands do you offer? 

Currently we offer XS-XL and maternity. We also have a large selection of petite sizes.

 We only have what people donate to us, so it varies based on what we get in. We are hoping to be able to offer larger sizes. Check back for current information. 

As for brands we offer hundreds of brands. Everything from Micheal Kors to J. Crew to Anthropology to Loft to Forever 21 and everything in between. 

We have around 1,700 items in our inventory. 
5) What's a styling session look like?

We are like What Not To Wear, but a lot nicer and way less judgy. In fact no judgment at all. We provide personalized and general style tips. We talk you through all of it. Take a look. 


6) What's a Lookbook?

Style is habit-forming, but only if you have a system in place that practically forces you to roll out of bed and throw on something gorgeous. Your Lookbook is that system. A Lookbook is a collection of photos of you in all your outfits. It can be online or a printout. This way you know what you have, you know what it goes with, and you know how you look in it.


What We Offer
1) In Store Session

PRIVATE STYLE SESSIONS
 45 minutes long, one on one with our personal stylist. We select items for you to try on based on a profile you fill out and a few questions we email you.  show you how to wear them. You also get to take up to five pieces of your choosing home and can purchase more if you’d like. $50

GROUP STYLE SESSIONS
You and a friend, sister, mom, daughter, who ever booked a group session, work with a stylist to get styled and have a great time!
2 PERSON SESSION: 90 minute session with two people and one stylist. Each participant gets items selected for them to try on based on a profile they fill out and a few questions we email them. We show each person how to wear them. Each person also get to take up to five pieces of her choosing home and can purchase more if they’d like. $99

3 PERSON SESSION: 2 hours and 30 minutes with two people and one stylist. Each participant gets items selected for them to try on based on a profile they fill out and a few questions we email them. We show each person how to wear them. Each person also get to take up to five pieces of her choosing home and can purchase more if they’d like. $150

2) In Home Session

CLOSET MAKEOVER
3 hours in your home. We do a complete wardrobe overhaul including closet clean out and outfit creation. Using our SwapIt handbook we create ground rules, set goals and work together to achieve them. Before we arrive we ask you to make two piles. One of items you aren't sure you like or want to keep and the other of items you feel you don't wear enough. This allows us to focus in, to let go of what isn't serving you and to create more looks from what you already own. Pieces that no longer work for you are removed from your home (if you’d like!). Anything you let go of and give to SwapIt is eligible for swapping one for one in our store.  Our main goal is to make the most out of what you already own. It's empowering. Sessions take place Sundays, Mondays and Weekday evenings. 
3) Do you host events?

Yes, please check out our events page for more info. 
We host private parties as well as public events.  Feel free to email us at style@aswappinggoodtime.com if you would like to host your own event. 
4) Can I buy a session as a gift?

Of course and in fact it makes a great gift!  


Once you have given the gift have her email us (style@aswappinggoodtime.com) and we will let her know how to set up her appointment. 

Prepping for Your Session
1) The Custom

Answer the questions you received in your pre-session confirmation email.  Really think about what you are in the market for. 
Think about what you need, not necessarily in terms of skinny jeans, but but more along the lines of needing an outfit for Church or work or something that makes me feel beautiful and less like I am a mom of 3. 

If your not totally sure, that's ok. We can walk you through it at your session. 

This is for you and what you need to add to your wardrobe to make it feel easy and right. 

If you have any items at home that you want to bring in to match up or ask what we think, feel free to bring them in, but you do not have to bring anything in. 

And don't forget a tote bag. We do not offer bags at check out and you will want something to take everything home in.  

You can bring in clothing that you would like to donate to us, remember this session is not eligible for swaps.

2) The Edit

Answer the questions you received in your pre-session confirmation email.  

Bring up to 10 items that you want to work with.  If you don't have 10 that's ok, but please do not bring more as we will not have time to go through them. 

If you are having trouble figuring out what to bring in, use these simple guidelines: 

1) Something you haven't worn in the last few weeks (or longer)
2) Something you often try on, but end up not wearing
3) Something that you only wear one way, or with one specific outfit
4) Something you aren't sure fits you right

And don't forget a tote bag. We do not offer bags at check out and you will want something to take everything home in.  

And remember anything you let go of is eligible for swaps only at your session.
3) The Capsule

Answer the questions you received in your pre-session confirmation email.  

Bring the 7 items listed below:

1 long sleeve top
1 tank or short sleeve top
1 other top (blouse, button down, pullover sweater)
1 dress
2 bottoms
1 cardigan/blazer/jacket

If you are having trouble figuring out what to bring in, use these simple guidelines: 

1) One or two items should be statement pieces and the rest should be neutrals
2) Bring in items that you like and that you are already wearing (you don't want a capsule wardrobe filled with things you don't like wearing) 

Bring your fav shoes also! 

And don't forget a tote bag. We do not offer bags at check out and you will want something to take everything home in.  
3) What if I do not find 5 items that I like in a session?

That very rarely happens and almost half our customers end up buying more. If by some crazy chance you don't find 5 items the cost of the session remains. You are still getting huge value from all the personalized tips and tricks from the one on one attention of an experienced stylist, the clothing is just an extra bonus. 

In fact we have had a small handful of clients that don't even come for the clothing, they just wanted the personalized attention and style advice. 
4) Am I supposed to tip?

Tipping is entirely up to you. We do offer a very personalized service similar to getting your hair cut, but ultimately it is up to you what you are comfortable with. 
5) If after my session I want to buy more items than are included, what is the average price point?

We price by category. 
Scarves: $3
Tops: $5
Jackets: $10
Bottoms: $10
Shoes: $10
Dresses: $15
General Info & Policies
1) Can I just come and shop?

The short answer is no. Our value proposition is to provide you with a personalized service. We take away the pain that many of us feel when entering a store by pre picking items for you and go even further by coordinating entire outfits for you. If you want to go thrift store shopping, we highly recommend checking out the many local thrift and consignment stores in the area, but that just isn't us. The way to have access to our inventory is to book a style session or attend an event. 
2) Do you accept donations?

We would love any women's clothing you have. 

We accept, women's clothing, women's accessories & shoes at this time.

We accept any women's clothing that you may have, and you get to rest easy knowing that the clothing is going to other women who are on a style journey (not the trash). Our mission is to take the stress, overspending and negative environmental effects out of shopping and SwapIt for an easier, more productive and cleaner experience. Therefore, we do not buy any clothing, and this allows us to keep prices affordable. 

Donations can be brought in during your style appointment, SwapIt events, private swap parties or Shop & Swap Sundays (see events page for dates). 

We know this may not be convenient for everyone, but it is all we can offer at this time. We understand if you need to donate your items somewhere else. 
3) How can I swap clothing?

There are five ways to swap clothing. 

1) In-Home Sessions. Anything you let go of at an in-home session can be swapped one for one for new to you items from SwapIt. This can be done at appointments, events, parties and Shop & Swap Sundays. All swap credits are good for one year. 

2) The Edit Session. You can swap any of the items you bring in (up to 10 items)  

3) Shop & Swap Sundays. Once a month we host a Shop & Swap Sunday where anyone who has had a personal styling appointment with us can swap up to 10 items for just $15. See our EVENTS page for more info and dates. 

4) Swap Parties.  You can host private swap parties at which any items that guests bring can be swapped among themselves free of charge. 

5) Membership. Become a member and get unlimited swaps for a full year! 
4) Canceling  or rescheduling an appointment

RESCHEDULING: You can reschedule an appointment up to 12 hours before your appointment time at no charge. 

 CANCELING: Because of all the work we do behind the scenes before a session, if you need to cancel your appointment we can only offer a refund up to 48 hours before an appointment. 

You can cancel or reschedule by logging into your account or by emailing style@aswappinggoodtime.com
5) Can I return items?

1) PURCHASED ITEMS: Anything purchased with cash can be returned for store credit within two weeks of purchase with the receipt. 

2) STYLE SESSIONS: Anything received at a session can not be brought back. The five items taken home from a session are a bonus, what you are paying for is time with the stylist. 

3) SHOP & SWAP: Anything swapped at Shop & Swap can be brought back, but not for a monetary refund. Shop & Swap is a program we offer with one set price. You are buying into the program, not individual pieces. 
6) I have allergies, can I still shop with you?

On our questionnaire we ask if you have any allergies. If you say yes, we make sure the clothing we put on your rack is steamed and de-linted.  

As with any typical second hand store we do not have the ability to wash the large amount of clothing we get. We do ask that people bring their clothing in washed and clean. This is very typical of second hand stores. Feel free to Google it and see for yourself. 

We hang up clothing as quickly as we can and don't use anything that doesn't look clean. We clean out the back room, and empty bags as quickly as possible. This all helps to keep the clothing in good condition. 

The only issues reported have been from people with severe pet allergies.  
Contact Us
1) Where are you located? How can I get there? Is there parking?

363A Main Street, Medford MA 02155
 
Near Oasis Cafe. There is pull in metered parking right in front or a parking lot on Yale street, right around the corner.

If you have a Medford parking sticker there is lots of street parking.

Bus options:
101 - Best option - Drops off right in front of SwapIt
95 - 8 Minute Walk - Drops off on Mystic Ave near Bonner Ave.
89 - 15 Minute Walk - Drops off at Powderhouse Square
80 - 15 Minute Walk - Drops off at Powderhouse Square


We are also a 20 minute walk from the Davis Square Red Line. 
2) How do I get in touch with you?

Email us at style@aswappinggoodtime.com 

Text or call at (617) 466-9863