Does your closet look like this? Would you like it to? The first step is shedding your excess clothing -- all those things that no longer fit or just aren't your style.

One option: You can unload those unwanted wearables -- and pick up a "new" outfit -- at a free clothing exchange in St. Paul this weekend. Here's how it works: You brings clothes, shoes and accessories you no longer want, take home other people's stuff, and the leftovers get donated to charity (a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).

Clothes swaps are a sign of the times. In a down economy, they're a no-cost way to switch up your wardrobe. And with more people thinking green, trading clothes is a form of recycling. There's even a website, www.clothingswaps.com, with tips and information about swaps nationwide.

Realtor Gina Vermilyea, a certified eco-broker with Coldwell Banker Burnet, dreamed up this weekend's "Solar Powered Clothing Exchange" as a way to draw visitors to one of her listings in the Dayton's Bluff neighborhood. "We thought we'd try something different to get people in the door, provide a community service and have some fun," she said.

"Solar" refers to the house, which recently was remodeled to meet MN GreenStar standards. In addition to solar panels, the house features geothermal heating and cooling, recycled materials and energy-efficient appliances and windows. (Informal tours will be available during the hours of the swap. For more information about the house, visit http://matrix.northstarmls.com/de.asp?k=448411XKHI8&p=DE-56494897-652).

The clothing swap will be held this Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 27-28) from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1253 Beech St., St. Paul. If you want to donate clothes in advance, contact Vermilyea at 651-653-0742 or ginamariev22@aol.com. If possible, please label bags of clothing by: Men, Women or Children, and include size range.

DML -, Star Tribune

What do you think -- would you swap clothes with a stranger?