“Dress for the job you want, not the job you have” has always been this blog’s mantra. But what if you’re a low-income woman trying to enter the working world for the first time? Where do you turn to help you build the wardrobe of suits and dresses that will help you land a better job–and a better future?
Dress for Success provides interview and business attire for women looking to enter the professional workforce. They also provide mentoring, networking and career development tools. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 500,000 women work towards self-sufficiency.
Tomorrow, Dress for Success and FedEx will be hosting a Congressional Challenge. Their asking House and Senate staffers to bring gently used women’s suits and other career appropriate attire to drop off points on the Hill. The chamber which donates the most clothing to the charity wins.
Dress for Success is a worthy cause, and I’ve selected a few of my work clothes to donate and I hope you’ll do the same. And even though I probably shouldn’t pick favorites, Go House Side!
5 comments
Helena says:
This is a great organization, Belle. One tip, for those not familiar with DFS: they are always looking for plus-size professional clothing in particular. So if you or anyone you know can help them meet that need, I know they'd appreciate it!
Jill says:
I don't work on the hill, but I have about 4-6 suits that I would love to donate — can non-Hill folks drop off suits as well?
Belle says:
Jill: I'm sure you can. The only that determines House or Senate is the dropoff location.
Kristine says:
Hi Jill! Absolutely – Donations on and off the Hill are welcome!
Elle says:
This is such a great cause. As a recent college graduate, I found it difficult to afford to dress in a manner that sets to correct tone for my fledgling career. For those in a similar situation, I would suggest checking out Goodwill and other donation stores in suburban/semi-affluent areas. If I have the time to search, I've found I can often find well-made, seemingly unused suits and other office essentials at an affordable cost (e.g. a blazer/skirt suit from The Limited for less than $5).