Obtaining Appropriate Clothes for Interviewing and Working
Needs
Workers need appropriate clothing for interviewing and working. Welfare recipients entering the work force usually are unable to purchase new clothing. Families need information relating to clothing options (clothes closets, thrift shops, etc.) and wardrobe management and care.
Concerns
With the major portion of the family budget going to food, housing, child care, and transportation, a very small percentage is left for clothing. Adjusting the budget to accommodate new clothing purchases for interviews and the job is probably not an option. Because first impressions are influenced by personal appearance and applicants will present themselves more confidently if properly dressed, a suitable outfit for the interview is important. So too is securing and maintaining a wardrobe appropriate for the workplace.
Community Response
There may already be organizations or businesses that are addressing these clothing needs; the concept of reusing or reselling previously owned
clothing is not new. Assistance may be given by identifying those organizations and providing guidance in wardrobe selection and management. Partnerships between educational organizations, services groups, and businesses may be formed to provide clothing and wardrobe management information.
Strategies
1. Identify Clothing Resources
Identify agencies, organizations, or businesses (clothes closets, thrift shops, consignment shops, etc.) in the area. Compile a directory listing location, hours, services provided, terms of loan or giveaway policies, price range, and type of clothes available.
2. Organize a Clothes Closet
Clothes closets are usually operated by churches, service groups, or womens professional groups-- such as Business and Professional Women, the Professional Secretaries Association, and the Junior League. These groups often work with the Division of Social Services and other service agencies to provide an outfit new workers can wear for interviews. Used business clothing and accessories are collected. Inventory may be limited to the amount of space available for storage. The closet is run by volunteers and open at specific times or by appointment. Once a job interview is verified, the individual will select an outfit to wear. If the applicant is successful in getting the job, a second outfit is often given. You may need to consider organizing a clothes closet in your area. Suggestions for starting a clothes closet include:
• Look for churches, professional organizations, service groups, etc. to serve as hosts or homes for the closet. Members can serve as volunteers to solicit and handle donations, schedule workers for the closet during open hours, and help clients select clothes.
• Secure a location that is convenient for clients and adequate for storing inventory.
• Develop a plan for soliciting donations. Determine policy to be "on loan" or "give away." Donated clothing should be clean and on a hanger.
• The closet can be opened once or twice a week or by appointment. Secure cleaners that will donate cleaning services for the project. Provide training for volunteers who will assist clients with wardrobe selection and care. Coordinate effort with DSS and other agencies who work with welfare recipients so they are aware of the service and can make recommendations.
3. Buy Used Clothing
Used clothing can be a great way to extend the clothing dollar. Most areas have thrift shops, Salvation Army stores, consignment stores, rummage or yard sales where used clothing is available. Wearing used clothing has become a more accepted way of life for people of all income levels.
Shopping at used clothing outlets may be confusing. Garments are not displayed or arranged with coordinating pieces, and sometimes the sheer number of items can be overwhelming. Putting together a workable wardrobe of used clothing may require more time and effort but the savings in cost make such a wardrobe obtainable.
4. Teach Shopping Tips for Used Clothing
Share shopping tips such as the following:
• Learn to look quickly through racks.
• When you find a garment you are interested in, look for reasons to reject it and move on if you find fabric worn at the knees, elbows, cuffs or collars; you should also reject items that are stained or soiled or that have rips, tears, or holes.
• Check care label for fiber content and care required.
• Look for garments made from quality fabrics with classic styles to increase the life of the garment.
• Check for fit. Often fitting rooms are not available. Take along a garment that fits properly to compare, or carry a tape measure or string to measure with. Buy garments that fit well into the existing wardrobe.
• Coordinate color and style.
5. Teach Wardrobe Management
New workers will need to create a wardrobe for interviewing as well as for work. An adequate wardrobe would allow workers to have enough suitable work clothes to carry out their job and feel good about the way they look. This would require knowing how to select and coordinate garments to maximize wear; it also requires knowing the most flattering styles and colors, as well as fabric characteristics and their care and maintenance. A program that teaches these skills would be helpful. This training could be provided for new workers or for volunteers who work with the new workers.
