Illinois Tech Career Clothing Closet
Find your professional style that means business!
The Office of Career Services is excited to introduce the Career Clothing Closet! This on-campus resource for students provides access to professional clothing at no cost. You always want to look your best at career fairs, internships, classroom presentations, company tours, and more. The right business attire will make you feel like royalty wearing a crown that empowers you as a leader and professional who is accomplished and confident!
At Illinois Tech, the Career Clothing Closet reflects our commitment to student success and professional development. Recognizing the importance of making a strong first impression, the Career Closet provides Illinois Tech students with free access to professional attire and accessories. This includes clothing items such as suits, dresses, pants, shirts, shoes, and ties. The Career Closet empowers students to confidently present themselves at interviews, networking events, and other professional occasions by providing these resources.
Step into the Career Closet and discover a treasure trove of professional attire, ready to elevate your look for any occasion! Imagine curating a complete, polished outfit, all without spending a dime. We’ve got almost everything you might need, from sleek professional shoes and ties that add that perfect finishing touch, to crisp formal shirts, sharp suits, elegant skirts, and perfectly tailored blazers. And because we know Chicago weather can be unpredictable, we’ve stocked pieces for all seasons, ensuring you’ll look your best no matter the time of year!
Why the Career Closet?
Professional attire communicates confidence, competence, and respect. When students look their best, they feel confident, which translates into increased self-assurance and improved performance in professional settings. The Career Closet aims to remove financial barriers and ensure that all Illinois Tech students have the opportunity to look their best.
Decode the U.S. Dress Code!
Learn more about the different styles of professional attire in this Professional Style Guide and Glossary.
Navigating Traditional and Cultural Attire During Interviews
Prioritize a balance between cultural expression and professional presentation during interviews.
Promoting Equity in Professional Success
At Illinois Tech, we believe that every student should have equal access to career opportunities, regardless of financial background. The Career Closet is more than just a resource for professional attire—it is a step toward equity in the workplace by ensuring that no student is at a disadvantage due to financial barriers.
Breaking Down Barriers to Professional Success
For many students, the high cost of professional clothing can be an obstacle when preparing for job interviews, networking events, and internships. The Career Closet works to eliminate this barrier by providing free, high-quality professional attire to all students, ensuring that career readiness is not limited by socioeconomic status.
Empowering Students with Confidence
Social justice is not just about access—it’s about empowerment. Studies show that dressing professionally can boost confidence, improve first impressions, and increase opportunities for success. By offering professional attire to all students, we help level the playing field, allowing students to present their best selves without financial strain.
Sustainability & Ethical Fashion
The Career Closet also aligns with social justice through sustainability and ethical fashion practices. By providing second-hand professional clothing, we promote eco-friendly alternatives to fast fashion while reducing waste. This initiative helps build a culture of conscious consumption and community support, ensuring that professional attire remains accessible and sustainable.
A Community Effort for Inclusion
The Career Closet is a community-driven initiative, made possible by donations from faculty, alumni, and local professionals who believe in investing in students’ futures. By fostering a culture of support and shared resources, we reinforce Illinois Tech’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice in higher education and the workforce.
Opening Hours
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays
- 12:50pm – 2pm
- Fridays by appointment ONLY
- 12:50pm – 3pm
- email careerservices@illinoistech.edu
Location
- Hermann Hall, Room 111
About the Career Closet
The Career Closet began as an initiative by Career Services with a clear and meaningful mission: to ensure that every student has the resources they need to confidently step into professional spaces.
Recognizing that many students lack access to formal business attire—an essential component for job interviews, career fairs, and networking opportunities—Career Services proudly launched the Career Closet, a transformative initiative designed to bridge this gap and nurture equity in career readiness.
What began as a simple yet powerful idea has blossomed into an indispensable campus resource, empowering students to present themselves with confidence and professionalism, all while alleviating the financial burden often associated with acquiring suitable attire. Whether preparing for a first interview, delivering a crucial presentation, or attending a networking event, the Career Closet offers students the chance to curate a polished, professional outfit at no cost. By removing a significant barrier on their career journeys, this initiative exemplifies Illinois Tech’s unwavering commitment to inclusion, opportunity, and student success.
Career Closet Events
Upcoming Events
Career Closet Extravaganza!
Location: Hermann Hall, Academic Resource Center, HH 112
Celebrate your career by treating yourself to FREE professional attire at the Career Clothing Closet Extravaganza! The Office of Career Services is hosting a pre-Career Fair mixer to help you rock your fair in style.
Past Events
Valentine’s Day Extravaganza!
February 13th, 2025
Love was definitely in the air at the Career Closet’s Valentine’s Day Extravaganza! We threw open our doors and invited all Illinois Tech students to experience a unique blend of professional preparation and festive fun, and we were all about empowering students to look and feel their best!
Students browsed our extensive collection, curating perfect professional outfits, and then struck a pose with their newfound confidence. It wasn’t just about the clothes; it was about celebrating self-assurance and the power of a great first impression, all wrapped up in a warm, Valentine’s Day atmosphere
