Dressed to Impress

Acquiring business clothes represents a barrier for some students. Business professional clothing can be expensive, and many students have limited options available to them in their own closets or are unsure of what to purchase. It can be especially difficult for students to find a professional outfit they feel confident in, especially on short notice.

Thankfully, Auburn has a free solution for students in these situations. The Campus Career Closet is a donation-based wardrobe of professional attire located in Mary Martin Hall.

Career Ready

Students can make online appointments to visit the Career Closet, where they can choose up to four individual items of business clothing to keep per semester. Upon their arrival, they are welcomed by one of the Career Closet’s student ambassadors, two of whom are fashion merchandising majors.

Carolyn Pyron ’96, administrative support specialist at Auburn’s Office of Career Discovery and Success and head of the Career Closet, has a goal to provide every student the ability to graduate with a “capsule wardrobe” of business clothing that they can mix and match for everyday attire.

She emphasizes the importance of having professional clothes on hand for events such as career fairs, job interviews and internships.

“If they’ve got these items in their closet, then they’re comfortable to go out and promote themselves in any situation that pops up” Pyron said. “They could be using that time to prep for the interview if they already had their outfit ready to go.”

Students with Style

“When I used the Career Closet my senior year, I was trying to make my first research poster and prepare for Auburn’s research symposium,” Christjohn said. “I was so overwhelmed by the fact that I did not currently have any business professional clothing, I think if I had to leave campus to try shopping for clothes, it could have been enough to make me just give up. The career closet really was one of the things that made it possible for me to feel up to the symposium, and I ended up winning first place for my category!”

Karlee Hall ’18, the integrated marketing communications coordinator with Career Discovery and Success, recalls an interaction with a student who picked out a suit from the Career Closet and wore it that afternoon to a networking event.

“He came to the career fair the next day and had the same suit, just a different tie,” Hall said. “He was able to switch it out because he got two different tie options, and felt so much better and more confident walking into that space because he looked the part and he felt good about what he had on.”

Outfitting the Future

They are always accepting clothing donations of business suits, dress shirts, blouses, professional slacks and skirts, ties, professional shoes, portfolios, professional bags and purses and accessories. The Career Closet is especially in need of neutral-colored clothing in smaller sizes.

Pyron has recently opened up a new way of donating by creating an Amazon Wish-list. She has curated a selection of business attire that is low-cost, on-trend and perfect for everyday wear.

With the help of the Career Closet, Auburn students can walk confidently toward their futures, one well-dressed step at a time.

For more information on how to donate, please visit the Campus Career Closet website or send them an email at ced0116@auburn.edu.

By Hayden Hairston ’25

Interview Styling Tips

• Choose neutral colors, such as black, navy, gray, or white.
• Avoid overly casual attire, such as tennis shoes.
• Ensure that your outfit is clean, wrinkle-free and fits properly.
• Dress one step more formally than the company’s daily dress code.