Opinion

April 24 2019

A Single Outfit Can Change a Woman’s Life

By: Jilianne Scamperle

When you picture yourself going into an interview for your dream job, it is likely you would be
filled with excitement, nervousness and confidence. It’s the job that promises stability, success and
a future in a so far meager career path. Your resume has experiences that more than qualify you,
and you are sure that your time has finally come. It is unlikely, that you picture yourself walking
into a room with the other applicants only to realize that they are dressed the part in sleek outfits,
name brand shoes and perfect hair, while you are far from it. Automatically your confidence would
fade in a wave in realization that in an atmosphere like this you will never even be considered.

This unfortunately is the nightmare that is the brutal reality for many women. Unable to afford the
expensive attire needed to be even looked at during an interview process has prevented thousands
from obtaining a much-desired job. According to Huffington Post, it is true that the first impression
is the most important, and more than half of hiring managers value looks at the same level as the
resume itself. Clothing matters. So, women who don’t have the resources to look the part are
automatically many steps behind.

All it takes is one outfit. In a single outfit, a woman is given the chance to succeed. She is given the
confidence she needs to thrive. She is perceived as capable by others and perceives herself in the
same way. She is not ignored, but instead seen and heard. One outfit could be all a women needs to
get the job she longs for, and to prosper in a career that gives way a lifetime of confidence and
success. Economic stability, growth and independence rely on it. It starts with just one outfit. Every
woman deserves access to that.

In a world where only 4% of women consider themselves beautiful and looks unfortunately
dominate society, it is vital that women are supported in feeling confident and capable. Clothing can
do that. By making donations and helping to give all women access to professional clothing, they are
given the resources they need to succeed. Being aware of the clothing you no longer need and how
to properly get it to the women who do could change another woman’s life for the better. Even just
recognizing the importance clothing has is a step in the right direction. It is the simple solution to a
problem that a large portion of women face. No woman should miss an opportunity because she
cannot afford to look the part. If professional capabilities are going to be ignored, let it not be
because a woman doesn’t have the right clothing. If looks matter, then let us show them we are all
beautiful. We are all confident. We are all successful. All it takes is access to one outfit, and maybe
you can give that.

While there is more to a woman than her clothes, and while clothes themselves will not make a
woman successful and confident, it’s a start. So, let’s start there. Let’s give women the access to
professional clothing that they need. It starts with only one outfit, and there are dreams jobs that
need to be turned into reality.

Jilianne Scamperle is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit company The Career Collection, an
organization dedicated to giving struggling women access to professional attire to ensure success in
the workplace.