Losing weight is at the top of most lists of New Year's resolutions, but losing weight in our closet is often in the top five. Most Island folks simply have too much stuff. And when our closets are stuffed, it's much harder to find what's in there and easy to forget what we have. Even our favorites sometimes get lost in the squish.

An easy way to lose weight mentally is to clean your closet. It can be a painful process and easy to put off, but remember, that cramped closet can be psychological poison.

One way I've found to make myself get at the tough task is to schedule a swap party. What better time than now, when thoughts of a clean start and fresh new year are uppermost in our minds?

Enter the Fashion Forum. This group of fashion-savvy folks meets semi-regularly over pizza to share thoughts on trends, story ideas and great new places to shop. This year, we decided to have a swap party, for more inspiration.

Since each member has a unique style, each thought it would be really fun to mix it up and swap clothes and accessories. Without much ado, we set a date.

In my experience, when planning a swap party, the fewer rules, the better. If you aim for too much structure, there can be disagreements and possibly even clothes fights. Trying to make it all even (a dress for a dress, a pearl necklace for a pearl necklace, or attempting to assign dollar values to swapped items) is impractical, nay, impossible. Hey, you're all friends, and there's no money exchange involved, so just go for it.

GETTING READY TO SWAP

Lisa Kajihara, a University of Hawai'i-Manoa student, planned ahead. Not only did she clean her own closet, she also asked her roommates (Brittany Manandic, Nicole Fernandez and Stephanie Cabilin) to clean theirs. She arrived with three bags of clothes.

Chanel Shiraishi, a student at Hawai'i Pacific University, arrived with a suitcase stuffed with clothes that no longer fit her svelte self. Some of them were finds from her recent semester in Europe.

Melissa May White, an environmental planner and co-founder of the Hawai'i Fashion Incubator, had cleaned her closet before the party was scheduled (sigh) but had plenty of accessories to share. White's partner in the incubator, Department of Education resource teacher Toby Portner, added eclectic clothing to the mix.

Entertainer and educator Willow Chang brought plenty of vintage bags and gorgeous garments she doesn't wear any longer.

Pua Lemelle, public relations manager for The Contemporary Museum, promoter Lacy Mat-sumoto and Stephanie Ortega of Communications Pacific each contributed the spoils of their closets.

We divided the room into sections for tops, bottoms, dresses, jewelry, shoes and handbags, then invited everyone to have at it.

One of the benefits of shopping at a swap party is that there's plenty of potential for feedback. As each forum member tried on garments, there was lots of critique, fashion advice, and suggestions for pairings and accessorizing going on. It was a learning experience for all.

WHAT WAS OVERHEARD

Since the party was at my house, I had a great time being a fly on the wall.

Among the successful scores:

Melissa found a fabulous, flattering bustier formerly worn by one of Lisa's roommates.

Lacy loved a plaid pashmina of Melissa's.

Stephanie took home a little black dress she paired with a beige bolero from Willow's closet.

Here's some of what I overheard:

Willow: "Some clothes just have too much residual memory to me. Like, ugh, I wore this with Bachelor No. 4."

Melissa: "I sometimes feel the opposite. I have this hideous aqua turtleneck I hate, but I was wearing it when Logan proposed to me and I just can't get rid of it."

Toby: "When I clean out my closet, I feel like I have more things, because I can see what I have."

Willow: "It's so crazy going through my closet. Proportions have changed. Technically these things still fit, but then I think, 'Oh no, not that!' "

Lacy: "I cleaned out my closet and now I feel like I'm filling it up again!"

Melissa: "I'm on the verge of 30 and I'm rethinking everything. I'm so over experimentation, and now I'm getting in touch with what looks good on me."

Lisa Kajihara helped Stephanie Ortega into a flirty cocktail dress, while Chanel Shiraishi unpacked a suitcase full of finds and Toby Portner lusted after a miniskirt.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.

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