Local Dressbarn Store Participates in 'Send One Suit (SOS) Weekend'

, the women’s clothing retailer, has issued an SOS. But in this case, the signal is not for distress but for a dress. Or suit. Or shoes. The Dressbarn in Westwood will be among more than 800 locations nationwide accepting clothing donations during “Send One Suit (SOS) Weekend,” Thursday through Saturday.

SOS Weekend is an annual initiative to collect professional attire for disadvantaged women who need career clothing with which to seek jobs. For many low-income women, finding employment that can lead to an improved life is hard enough. Not having the right clothes for a job interview intensifies the struggle.

“This program provides the initial, yet vital, step of supporting women with the proper attire, building their confidence to succeed in getting a job,” said Vivian Behrens, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Dressbarn.

Donors are asked to bring gently used suits, dresses, pants, skirts and tops to the Dressbarn drop-off sites. All sizes and styles are welcome. Also needed are shoes, belts, jewelry and other accessories. Dressbarn stores will issue donors a receipt for tax purposes and offer an additional savings of 15 percent off  a total purchase in gratitude to donors.

To date, 275,000 suits and career separates have been donated through Send One Suit. Dressbarn has donated more than 55,000 of its own suits and career separates as well, according to store officials.

SOS Weekend is a 9-year-old collaboration of Dressbarn and Dress for Success, a global non-profit organization that promotes economic independence for women in need by providing professional attire as well as a network of career support.

“Every day we witness the transformative power professional attire has over the lives of women and their families,” said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. “With these donations, women can walk into an interview suited, brimming with confidence—the first and most fundamental step to professional and personal success.”      

Dress for Success serves clients by referral only. The women come from homeless shelters, job training programs, educational institutions and many other agencies. They must have an interview scheduled before receiving clothing. On her first visit, a client will receive a suit appropriate for the industry in which she is interviewing.

After she finds a job, she returns to Dress for Success for additional clothing pieces and accessories that can help her to build a professional wardrobe. Since its founding in 1997, Dress for Success has helped more than 550,000 women worldwide.

This year’s SOS Weekend aims to top last year’s tally of 43,000 donated clothing items.

The Westwood Dressbarn is located in Westwood Plaza, 700-70 Broadway. Two Paramus locations, in Bergen Town Center and at 162 West Route 4 eastbound, are also participating.