She’s Invited, a Twin Cities community group dedicated to female empowerment and connecting Twin Cities women, hosted an All Girls Clothing Swap on Sunday at Hey Y’all Tipsy Taco Bar in Northeast Minneapolis.
The sold-out event, led by founder Frida Torres and her team, provided an opportunity for women to revamp their closets and connect with new and old friends over brunch. Participants paid for an event pass to attend.
Guests brought gently used clothing and accessories they no longer wore to trade and swap. The variety was extensive, featuring everything from sweaters and dresses to earrings, purses and wallets.
The swap officially began at noon, following an hour where women were welcomed to chat and hang clothes on the provided racks. Many women left satisfied with their finds.
I was fortunate to pick up a Coach mini wallet and an Urban Outfitters grey, cozy sweater, which I’m sure will become a staple in my closet.
First-time guest Tasnia Iqbal saw the event as an opportunity to share stories through clothes. Allowing one’s items to form lasting memories with a new owner.
“I love the idea of bringing our closets together because we don’t always have to go out and buy new clothes,” Iqbal said. “We can pick out items that we’ve worn and have memories with and share them with other women.”
The November clothing swap, inspired by vintage markets, allowed participants to sustainably shop and swap clothes for free, sustainably. All items not taken at the end of the event were donated to local nonprofits, organizations and those in need.
Torres was inspired to create She’s Invited after moving to Minnesota from Puerto Rico eight years ago. She said she struggled to maintain connections after attending one-time events hosted by restaurants or cafes.
While the events provided a chance to form new connections, it was challenging to stay connected, a problem Torres was eager to fix.
“That desire of ‘we want to stay connected’ gave me the idea that there should be something recurring every month,” Torres said. “Where you can see someone you met from a previous event at another event.”
The She’s Invited Instagram page launched in January 2024 and has since garnered 7,540 followers. The organization aims to serve all women by hosting a mix of large gatherings and intimate events.
For those who wished to stay longer, the event included a complimentary mimosa or coffee with the purchase of brunch at Tipsy Taco. Many women took advantage of the offer, ordering food with new friends, laughing, exchanging numbers and sharing their swap finds.
As women from all backgrounds are welcomed, the community offers a unique chance to immerse oneself in what the Twin Cities have to offer.
“Seeing the diverse amount of people here really makes me feel like I’m home, even though this isn’t my home,” Dominica Amauri said, who recently moved to the Twin Cities from Nashville, Tennessee.
Amauri said She’s Invited gave her an opportunity to explore the cities and make connections.
The “All Girls Clothing Swap” was nothing short of a success. The vibrant, welcoming culture fostered by Torres and participants made it easy for women to connect. Beyond sustainable shopping and charitable donations, the event cements the group’s commitment to serving local women’s communities.
