The Frederick Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh provides a platform for students to acquire business casual attire at no cost through a series of clothing swaps.
As the spring semester draws to a close, students at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) are navigating a busy schedule filled with final presentations, interviews, and networking events. While comfortable attire like sweatpants is the norm for daily campus life, professional opportunities call for a step up in dress, which often presents a financial challenge for many students.
In response to this need, the Frederick Honors College is hosting a series of professional clothing swaps titled “Dress for Success: Closet to Career.” These events, held every other Wednesday on the 35th floor of the Cathedral of Learning throughout March and April, provide students the opportunity to acquire business casual clothing at no cost.
Arianne Joson, the administrative assistant for the Frederick Honors College, has been instrumental in coordinating this initiative. Recognizing that students in honors programs frequently require business attire for various academic and professional engagements, Joson emphasized the importance of accessibility to affordable clothing. “Many of our students travel and present in conferences, work internships, or are readying themselves for interviews for their post-college careers,” she remarked. “FHC was looking for an accessible way for students to find a more polished wardrobe. This event is a no-cost and financially stress-free way to not only gain new apparel but some confidence in the workplace.”
Joson shared her own experiences of building a professional wardrobe through clothing swaps and thrifting, encouraging students to capitalize on these opportunities. “For a majority of my professional career, I’ve worn clothes that I’ve found, and because they’re often unique finds, the thrifted and swapped clothes are always the ones that get the most compliments, even at job interviews,” she said.
Students have expressed their appreciation for the program. Emilia Ferretti, a senior majoring in anthropology, noted the significance of such events in alleviating the financial pressure of acquiring the necessary clothing for various professional settings. “It’s super important for students to have access to events like this because [professional] clothes that we need for different events, presentations, interviews, and work experiences can be super expensive,” Ferretti stated. She also mentioned the time constraints that many students face, highlighting that not everyone has the opportunity to shop for professional attire.
Henry Garcia, another senior, studying environmental science, found value in the initiative, particularly given his career path. “It’s nice to have the option to pick out free clothes,” he commented. Garcia explained that his field often requires less formal clothing, making it impractical for him to invest heavily in business attire that he might wear infrequently.
The positive reception of the Closet to Career events has encouraged Joson and her colleagues to expand the initiative further. Originally, the “Dress for Success” program was limited to a closet of donated clothing that students could access by appointment. However, following the success of these events, plans are underway to enhance the program by creating a more extensive and accessible area for students to browse clothing at their convenience. “We’re hoping to get this space for students ready by the fall,” Joson noted.
In addition to providing clothing, Joson believes that events like “Closet to Career” promote a sense of community among students and faculty members at the university. She remarked, “Clothing swaps, especially, can foster connection, community, and belonging for our students.” Joson also emphasized the thoughtful nature of donations from faculty and staff, pointing out that a donated garment can help shape a student’s future.
The last event of the “Closet to Career” series is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 35th floor of the Cathedral of Learning, where students can pick out professional attire at no cost as the semester comes to an end.
Source: Noah Wire Services
