JC Penney | Photo by Steven Miller
Wright State University (WSU) resources like the JCPenney Suit Up event and Raid-Our-Closet make professional clothing more accessible to students entering the workforce.
JCPenney Suit Up Event
Students registered for the Suit Up event on Handshake were given a number to text for the discount code. With the code, they could receive discounts for up to 30% off on JCPenney items. Items included career wear, shoes, jewelry, handbags, luggage and more.
From Sept. 23-26 students could shop in-person or order online and arrange curbside or in-store pickup.
“I really enjoyed looking at JCPenney professional clothing. It helped me get a good idea of what attire would be appropriate for future employment. I was able to find professional pieces that went along with my personal style,” junior Olivia Bartlett said.
Other professional clothing resources
For some students, even with discounts, it can be difficult to obtain business clothes. Raid-Our-Closet’s goal is to help these students.
Students can schedule appointments and Raid-Our-Closet, a free and donation-based community closet on campus, will provide them with a full outfit to keep. It is open to all students during their time at WSU and a semester after.
WSU graduate student Prithvi Kunapareddi also likes Clothes That Work, a non-profit that provides professional clothing, image counseling and training for those entering the workforce.
Clothes That Work provides clothing through referral or self-pay. For referrals, Clothes That Work will provide a free complete outfit, including shoes and accessories to keep.
With self-pay, job seekers can schedule an appointment and pay $40 for a complete outfit including shoes and accessories. There will also be a trained client-coach to help with the selections.
“I had a good experience [at Clothes That Work]. I think it’s definitely something every student can explore, especially because you get clothes for such a good deal,” Kunapareddi said.
Choosing professional clothing
However, choosing clothes is just as important as finding them. When it comes to what students should buy, it is important to think ahead.
In general, basic pieces are a good place to start for people who are new to business clothes. This can be suit pants and a suit jacket with a dress shirt or a professional pantsuit.
Students can also choose a dress, skirt and jacket set or add a blazer. Personal style can be incorporated through ties, scarves and jewelry.
“Buy things that are as versatile as possible. So if you can get yourself a couple of pairs of pants, a couple of different shirts, maybe a jacket or two then you can mix and match those. They’re going to seem like you have a lot more in your wardrobe than you actually do,” Destinee Biesemeyer, Associate Director of Student Advocacy & Wellness, said.
