Professional menswear is expensive to buy new and can be difficult to find used. A Winston-Salem teen is about to change that by launching “Suit Yourself,” a community initiative that collects professional men’s clothing in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina.
Suit Yourself coordinates donation drives to collect menswear that is appropriate for wearing to a job interview or for working in a professional environment, then collaborates with Goodwill to identify clients in need. These donations of gently used men’s professional and business casual attire will help people with limited means gain the confidence to get back on their feet and into the workplace.
The program is the brainchild of Dylan Neal, a student at R.J. Reynolds High School. Neal knew about Goodwill’s Success Outfitters program, which provides professional clothing to people for interviews and new jobs. But he noticed that men tend to hang on to clothing longer than women, leading to fewer donations and fewer options for men trying to re-enter the workforce.
Suit Yourself collects suits, blazers, dress shirts, polo shirts, slacks, men’s shoes and accessories such as socks, belts and ties.
To support the Suit Yourself initiative, please email Dylan Neal at nealdylan3-at-gmail.com.