PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — When you look good, you feel good, and having the right attire to re-enter the workforce can help ease the anxiety. The Philadelphia-area nonprofit The Wardrobe is celebrating National Smart and Sexy Day by outfitting women in need with appropriate work and job interview attire for free.
On March 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Wardrobe will host clothing workshops across Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester counties.
Program Director Mars Sharrock said it takes about seven seconds for someone to make a decision about you.
“You want to feel good in what you’re wearing in order to show up for work, but you also always have to think about, how are people seeing you?” he said. “How are people perceiving you, especially when we’re talking about a job interview? And also remember … their job in that room is to judge you.”
If you’re wearing an ill-fitting T-shirt or bra, you may look more nervous than you actually are, he said. “Making sure that everything fits right, everything feels OK is going to make sure that you sit still, you stand tall, and you’re able to really present your best self.”
The Smart and Sexy lingerie company donated free bras for the event. The Wardrobe, which is dedicated to eliminating clothing insecurity, understands the difficulty women in need face when re-entering the workforce. Sharrock said this program allows them to shop with dignity.
“Any woman can come in and get a free bra fitting with a free bra as well as clothing for their job interview or for their general life,” he added. “And when we say women, we mean all women — trans women included — are able to move forward in their jobs, because historically that has been a struggle.”
For this specific event, each participant can get up to six articles of clothing. They’ll be given the STAR treatment, too: styling, time, advice and respect.
While shopping starts at 11 a.m., there will be a special Suit Up workshop at 10 a.m. The event will take place at four locations on March 28:
The Wardrobe Upper Darby
62 West Marshall Road
Lansdowne
The Wardrobe Philadelphia
413 N. Fourth Street
Philadelphia
The Wardrobe Kennett Square
345 Scarlet Road
Kennett Square
The Wardrobe Exton
Exton Square Mall (enter by Boscov’s)
153 Exton Square Parkway
Exton
For more information, visit careerwardrobe.org.