Dressbarn Announces 9th Annual Suit Drive

With an increasing number of women unemployed and looking for work, dressbarn’s annual “Send One Suit Weekend” program aims to remove a basic hurdle for those women in need seeking a job: having the proper outfit to wear for the job interview.

The ninth annual clothing donation program will run Feb. 24-27, with drop-off sites at all 837 dressbarn stores including the store at Regency Square, 2476 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon. 

The national apparel retailer has teamed up with Dress for Success, the international nonprofit organization that supports female economic independence, to collect articles of professional attire, which in turn will be donated to women looking to gain a job or trying to re-entering the workforce.

“This program provides the initial, yet vital, step of arming women with the proper attire that gives them the confidence to succeed in getting a job,” said Vivian Behrens, chief marketing officer at dressbarn. “Our ‘Send One Suit’ weekend asks our customers to donate a suit or any professional clothing that can be used by someone less fortunate who is looking to better their lives. The last thing a woman should have to worry about during a job search is whether her wardrobe will prevent her from being seriously considered for employment.

“For nearly 50 years, dressbarn has been dedicated to the needs of the working woman,” said Behrens. “This charity drive allows us to further that ideal, as we coordinate efforts with local communities and nonprofit organizations nationwide to give women in need a renewed sense of self and the confidence to re-enter or join the workforce.”

“This is our ninth year parenting with dressbarn for ‘Send One Suit Weekend’ and we couldn’t be anymore thrilled,” said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. “Every day we witness the transformative power professional attire has over the lives of women and their families, and with these donations, women can walk into an interview suited brimming with confidence—the first and most fundamental step to professional and personal success.”

The dressbarn at Regency Square is a drop-off site for gently used suits, dresses, skirts, slacks, blouses, belts and shoes that will be used to benefit low-income women who are looking for employment.  Additionally, dressbarn stores will offer donors an additional 15 percent total purchase savings in gratitude for their generosity. For a complete list of acceptable items, visit dressbarn.com.

 Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 100 cities in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the UK and the West Indies. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 500,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.