College of Law Holds Clothing Sale
On April 8, racks of suits, dress shirts, and ties were displayed in the lobby of the Green Johnson Student Success Center at the College of Business as students looked for something many of them need but may struggle to afford: that being professional clothing.
The event, called “Suit Up,” ran from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the University of Wyoming’s College of Business. Organized by a student club from the College of Law, the event gave students access to affordable professional clothing that could help them prepare for internships, interviews, and future careers.
The goal of the event was simple but deeply impactful; by offering donated professional clothing at low prices, the organizers hoped to remove one of the obstacles that students often face when entering the professional world. As one of the organizers explained, the event was meant to make sure students have access to clothing that helps them feel confident and prepared for anything that comes their way.
The idea for the Suit Up event began with the clothing donation program already run through the College of Law. The club, led by student president June Daniels, maintains an essentially professional clothing closet for law students.
“Our club is basically just like a rental closet for students,” Daniels said. “We provide professional clothing for students for free or for super cheap when we have sales.”
Students in the law program can check out clothing for short- or long-term use, allowing them to attend court events, interviews, or internships without having to purchase expensive clothing themselves. The club also hosts sales during the fall and spring semesters, where donated clothing is sold at very low prices. According to Eldred, the clothing comes from a wide range of donors.
“People in the community donate,” said Lindsay Eldred, a law student who is a part of the club and event organizer. “Lawyers, school alums, people that have practiced law. Whoever we can get donations from.”
When the club realized they had more clothing than they needed for their own closet, the idea emerged to expand the sale to another part of campus. The suggestion came from a law student whose brother attends the College of Business. After attending a clothing sale at the law school, he suggested the club host a similar event for business students.
“He was like, you guys should have one here,” Daniels said. “I think a lot of people would be engaged.”
After that suggestion, career services offices from both colleges helped make the idea reality, allowing the club to bring the clothing sale to the College of Business for the first time.
For organizers, the main goal of the Suit Up event was not just to sell clothing; instead, they wanted to make professional attire more accessible to students who may not have the ability to purchase it on their own.
“We just want students to have access to clothes that make them feel professional and make them feel good,” Eldred said. “Mostly we just want to make clothes accessible.”
Professional clothing can often be expensive, especially for students who are already managing tuition, housing, and other costs. Samantha Yeakley, another law student who is part of the club and also helped organize the event, explained that the financial barrier is something many students face when preparing for professional opportunities.
“A lot of times getting professional clothes can be kind of prohibitive because they are expensive,” Yeakley said. “So just having a cheap option to get clothes that are often really nice is just helpful for people.”
By offering the donated clothing at low prices, the event allowed students to build a professional wardrobe without the financial stress that comes with it. Beyond affordability, organizers emphasized that professional clothing plays an important role in helping students feel prepared for important career moments.
“When you look good, you feel good, you interview well,” Eldred said. “We just want them to be able to feel professional and feel good when they go into interviews.”
Yeakley echoed that idea, explaining that confidence can make a real difference during interviews and professional events.
“When you’re coming to an interview, and you feel confident that you’re dressed appropriately, it’s easier to do well,” she said. “First impressions do matter.”
In many industries, appearance can play a role in how individuals present themselves in professional settings. Yeakley said having the right clothing can help students feel like they belong in those environments.
“There’s definitely an expectation in certain professions that you present yourself a certain way,” Yeakley said. “Having access to clothes that are accepted in those industries helps people feel more settled and confident.”
While the racks of clothing may have looked simple to attendees, the event required a great deal of preparation from the student organizers.
“Our club literally did everything,” she said. “We met last night and sorted through all the clothing. Then this morning we met early at the law school and brought everything over here.”
The club worked together to organize the donated clothing and transport it to the College of Business, ensuring students would have a variety of options available. Yeakley said the group also tried to make sure the clothing selection could serve a wide range of people.
“We just worked together to put together the clothes that we had in excess at the law school,” she said. “We tried to have a variety to serve all people and have something for everybody.”
Although the event was the first time the clothing sale was brought to the College of Business, organizers hope it will not be the last. For Daniels and the rest of the club, the event is about more than downsizing on the clothing donations, but ultimately about making sure students know there are resources available to support them as they prepare for their careers.
“I hope students learn that there is support and other resources out there that they can use,” Daniels said.
