Immaculata University’s Office of Career and Professional Development is paving the way for student success with the launch of its Career Clothing Closet in Gabriele library. This innovative initiative is designed to help students feel confident in professional settings by embracing the concept of “dressing for success.” At the grand opening event, students had the opportunity to meet with Heidi Harrison, director of the Office of Career and Professional Development, and Jeannine Zack, associate director, to learn how they can make the most of this new resource.
Located on the lower level of Gabriele Library, the Career Clothing Closet offers Immaculata students free access to professional attire for job interviews, internships, career fairs and class presentations. The free resources enable students to tackle the common challenges of building suitable professional wardrobes, eliminate the worry and anxiety that come with choosing how to best visually present oneself and promote sustainability and strengthen the University’s broader career readiness efforts, ensuring that all students can present their best selves in the professional world.
Inside the Career Clothing Closet, there are two full-body mannequins showcasing a sample outfit for women and a suit for men, along with mannequin busts displaying sample blouses. The space also features a private changing area, allowing students to try on clothing to find the perfect fit and look.
The initiative was inspired by a shift in students’ professional dress in recent years. With the increasing cost of clothing and the evolving nature of office environments, students often struggle to build wardrobes suitable for a professional setting. To address this, the Career Clothing Closet provides professional attire, ensuring that all students have equal access to the resources necessary to present themselves well in job-related settings.
“This [Career Clothing Closet] supports our career readiness initiatives by removing wardrobe-related barriers so students can focus on interview preparation, networking and career advancement without worrying about attire,” said Harrison. Additionally, the program promotes sustainability by encouraging the recycling and reusing of clothing, which reduces waste.
Students can access the Career Clothing Closet by scheduling an appointment with the Office of Career and Professional Development. During their appointment, they will have the opportunity to browse available clothing options and discuss their specific needs. They will then be guided in selecting the most appropriate attire for their upcoming professional engagement. Once selected, the students can keep the clothing items.
The Career Clothing Closet is sustained through generous donations from alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members. Clothing donations are accepted year-round and should be in like-new condition. The closet accepts a variety of professional attire, including suits, blouses, dress shirts, blazers, dress pants and ties in neutral colors such as black, blue, gray, white, and tan for both men and women.
Donations typically come from individuals who are transitioning to more casual work environments, downsizing their wardrobes or cleaning out their closets. The Office of Career and Professional Development sorts all donations and any items that are unsuitable are either returned to the donor or donated to local charities. Clothing items requiring dry cleaning are cleaned before being made available to students.
Dressing professionally for interviews and career events can make a significant difference. A polished, professional appearance not only creates a positive first impression but also demonstrates respect for the event and its participants. Furthermore, professional attire can help students feel more confident, which can positively impact their performance during interviews and networking opportunities.
The Career Clothing Closet is a collaborative initiative with the Fashion Merchandising Program and the Fashion Group, partnering with the Office of Career and Professional Development to support the effort. Additionally, proceeds from the annual IU Fashion Show on Saturday, April 5, will benefit the closet.
“Promoting professional dress encourages students to understand the importance of workplace dress codes and making a positive and professional first impression,” stated Harrison. “It also can boost confidence, when you look good you feel good, your confidence level goes up and can help you to perform better during the interview.”