From wardrobe to workplace: helping women in need dress for interview success
1st Impressions, a not-for-profit from an academic at the University of Bath, gives women the clothes and confidence to support career hopes and ambitions
For most people, a wardrobe clear-out means a trip to the charity shop, or maybe a spot of online selling. But for University of Bath lecturer Dr Jane Ellis-Brush it was the start of a passion project to use pre-loved clothes to help women succeed at job interviews.
“Clothes matter massively. I know this from my own corporate experience when I was facing the boardroom as the only woman, and it’s true for all of us. It’s not superficial to care about clothes - wearing an outfit that feels right and looks the part can be transformative for confidence and the impact of that can’t be underestimated.”
Jane arrived in Bath in March 2021 to start a new job as a senior lecturer in the University’s School of Management. She was returning to the UK after six years in Europe heading up Citibank’s Shared Service Centre in Budapest, Hungary.
Her wardrobe had grown with her career and, rather than bag up her clothes for charity, she wanted to be able to pass on the sense of empowerment that had helped her to progress.
“I realised that if I just gave my clothes to a charity shop, I wouldn’t have the chance to impart the confidence that I felt my clothes had given me. It’s about more than ‘pre-loved’: it’s chosen with care.”
It was the starting point for 1st Impressions. Together with her husband, Kevin, Jane created a Community Interest Company (a not-for-profit organisation) that offers individual styling sessions and free work outfits to women who are looking for a new job and approaching employment interviews.
Colleagues in the School of Management got behind the idea and volunteered time and expertise to help shape the direction of 1st Impressions, and its policies and procedures.
Through the School, Jane contacted groups and individuals in Bath to help get the organisation off the ground and connect her with women who would benefit.
Mercy in Action, a Bath charity tackling poverty, injustice and inequality, and the Women’s Work Lab, which help mums transform their lives by rebuilding confidence and to lead to meaningful employment, were key to the launch in 2021, and remain active partners.
Students at the University became volunteers, the Students’ Union made 1st Impressions one of its main good causes, raising £1,000 to support its work, and it was one of the projects worked on by management students in the Rotork Community Challenge.
Donated clothes began to pour in, and Jane’s flat was gradually consumed by bags and boxes. By the start of 2022, the hunt was on for a more permanent storage solution.
Fairfield House Bath, the former home of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Salassie I and now a community hub, became a base where volunteers could store, sort and organise clothes for styling.
By the end of the first year of operations, a small team of volunteers was ready to invite women to personal styling sessions at Fairfield House, to present a selection of carefully curated outfits, and help them decide what clothes would make them look and feel their best at interview.
Trying on outfits in front of strangers can be daunting, so volunteers aim to make sessions as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. Encouragement and interest in the women's hopes and ambitions are central to every session, and experienced volunteers can offer coaching and interview advice where needed.
In addition to appointments at Fairfield House, 1st Impressions has evolved a unique, community-based pop-up format to take its supportive styling service where it’s most needed.
Why workwear for women?
“For men, any smart shirt and trousers signals professional and the scrutiny pretty much ends there. Men face less societal pressure on their appearance and this plays out at interview too,” explains Jane.
“For women, it’s a very different story. There’s a multitude of decisions to make on what to wear. The colour, the fit, the formality, the list goes on. Add to that the body shape changes women experience through different life stages, plus their struggles with body image and how they look.”
Research backs up what women already know about the assumptions people make based on their appearance. Studies show that what women wear directly affects judgements on their competence and suitability for a role.
“The power of a 1st Impressions styling session is transformative. Women arrive, sometimes nervous and unsure about what can be achieved. We all enjoy the time together and when they leave they seem a foot taller in confidence and positivity. It has to be seen to be believed.”
Cerianne came across 1st Impressions at a job fair in Newport. She was leaving the event, feeling deflated that nothing was suitable, when she met Denise Hunt, former Head of Knowledge Exchange at the University and a Director of 1st Impressions who was at the fair to reach women who might need support.
Denise, a Director at 1st Impressions, met Cerianne at the Newport job fair
Denise, a Director at 1st Impressions, met Cerianne at the Newport job fair
Cerianne told Denise about her ambition to become a bookkeeper. During lockdown she had retaken English and Maths GCSEs and her results had inspired her to research a new career that she could combine with family life, including caring for her son with additional needs. She had already signed up with training organisations, Levelling Up and Careers Wales, but confidence was an issue.
Cerianne describes her encounter with 1st Impressions as a turning point:
“I sat down and talked with Denise about my plans and she was so encouraging,” said Cerianne. “One thing I despise is shopping for myself, so to hear that a team would walk me through the different styles when it comes to interviews, was a weight off my shoulders. She asked me what sort of clothing I liked, my size and so on, and was so understanding about my insecurities. I felt like a million dollars when I left.
Cerianne at her styling appointment hosted at Newport Job Centre
Cerianne at her styling appointment hosted at Newport Job Centre
“After the appointment nothing was going to stop me. I was ready to take on the world. I got a voluntary job at Citizens Advice as an administrator, and within a month of volunteering I was offered a temporary full-time job for three months. During the last week of the temporary contract, I was offered a full-time permanent job."
1st Impressions has helped over 400 women
1st Impressions supports any woman needing help to move into employment. Everyone from carers and mums returning to work; to refugees who are trying to build new lives; to women who have faced redundancy; women unable to afford new work clothes; or those just wanting to make a positive change in their lives.
Fashion against Fear
1st Impressions linked up with West Country-based charity FearFree to support their fundraising fashion show, providing clothes and styling. FearFree supports people dealing with domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking. Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences student Ella Fluck was on a matched-funded placement at the charity and worked on the event. 1st Impressions volunteers helped to style models on the night, including women helped by FearFree.
“1st Impressions played a pivotal role in our FearFree Fashion Show,” said Jessica Benjamin, Head of Fundraising at FearFree. “They not only supported us from initial idea, through planning and delivery but were instrumental in helping us dress and style our models, taking our concept and turning it into a reality! We were thrilled to work with the team, they were so kind, supportive and gave us so much time to make the event a true success.”
Life after prison
Volunteers travel to HM Prison Eastwood Park in Gloucestershire to meet female prisoners who are due for release and will be looking for work, as well as dressing for court appearances. Many of these women have complex life experiences and low self-esteem, combined with weight gain that is common for female prisoners.
Aloise Price, who regularly runs sessions at Eastwood Park, said: “The experience of working with the inmates stays with me long after I leave. Their gratitude at having people take an interest in helping them is humbling and they are extremely appreciative of the support and care. Helping them re-enter the workforce with confidence in their appearance and capability is key to success, giving them the opportunity for a positive new chapter.”
Supporting job seekers
In Bristol, Cardiff and Newport, 1st Impressions promotes its services at job fairs run by the Department for Work and Pensions. Women book onto a styling session hosted at the Job Centre and Cardiff Central Library Hub.
1st Impressions partnered with Seetec in Swindon – an organisation that delivers employment services to help people into work – to run styling sessions for women taking their training courses.
After redundancy Angela was lacking confidence, and booked in for a workwear session with volunteers from 1st Impressions. “I came out feeling happy, positive and upbeat about going to interviews and I had one coming up too!” Read more
Working with women’s charities
The Nelson Trust, a Stroud-based non-profit organisation that supports women through trauma and Gifted Women, a charity supporting women with fresh starts into work are two groups that 1st Impressions travels to with pop-up styling sessions, providing women with workwear and supporting their journey of positive change.
1st Impressions has supported women who fled fighting in Ukraine and were in desperate need of clothes to help them build their lives in Bath. 1st Impressions worked with Bath & North East Somerset Council to provide dedicated pop-ups to welcome Ukrainian refugees to styling sessions and help them prepare for job applications. Sessions in Bristol have supported refugees from Afghanistan.
Support for student scholars
The University of Bath offers Gold Scholarships to up to 50 promising young people per year. 1st Impressions offers styling sessions to new scholars (including Kasia, centre) to help them feel ready for the professional events they will attend and for job interviews that will follow. Many of these scholars also volunteer their time, helping with marketing and promotion, fundraising, eBay sales and more.
Shauna Lloyd, Accounting and Management student and Gold scholar volunteer (left), said: “It has been lovely to be able to work with 1st Impressions from the perspective of both a Gold Scholarship Student, and also a volunteer! It has been amazing to be able to work with an inspiring team of individuals, whilst also being given the opportunity to dress my fellow Gold Scholars at pop-up events.”
Get involved
Wiltshire Police set up a regular donation point for clothes to the charity, and Rolls Royce got behind 1st Impression by asking its female employees to donate interview clothes.
Donations of good quality clothes are welcome, especially in larger sizes, and flat smart shoes, which are always in demand.
Volunteers are needed to sort donations, prepare clothes for styling sessions and meet women. Fundraising, marketing and building local partnerships are always on the agenda.
I volunteered for 1st Impressions very early on because I absolutely believed in what Jane was trying to do – such a simple but incredibly powerful concept. Having worked professionally as a designer and stylist, I know how important it is to make a good first impression and I feel strongly that we are there to style women for the next steps in their personal journeys.
Most of our clothes are donated by successful women who want to pass on that feeling of ‘empowerment’ to other women. That is quite a moving and powerful image to carry forwards.
“For any women thinking about booking in with 1st Impressions, don’t think about it, do it. If you let one opportunity pass you by, you could be letting a whole host of opportunities pass by after it. You will come out of the session with a new mindset. A new version of you. I know this all sounds a cliché, but I honestly feel if I hadn’t gone to that session, I would never have had the courage to keep pushing for my dreams.”
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