How to Donate Clothes for Low-Income Career Women

You can donate business clothes for low-income women starting careers.

There are many organizations whose goal is to help low-income women enter the work force through training, networking and by supplying appropriate attire for the jobs for which they are applying. These organizations accept clothing donations that would be appropriate for women to wear to job interviews. While each organization can accept only certain types of clothing, they generally ask for career-oriented clothing that is still in very good condition. These clothes should instill confidence in their wearers and display professionalism to their potential employers.

Things You'll Need

• Appropriate women's business clothing
• Drop-off address, either for local delivery or for mailed donations

Instructions

1. Determine what clothing your chosen donation center will accept. For example, the organization Dressed for Success will accept skirt and pant suits, blouses, professional blazers and jackets, new hosiery, purses, briefcases and professional shoes. These items are typical of what most donation centers will accept for career women. Most organizations need plus-size clothing, and all clothing should be new or nearly new.

2. Gather the clothes that you wish to donate.

3. Make sure that the clothes that you are donating are clean.

4. Place the clothes on hangers or fold them neatly and place them in a box if you are personally delivering the clothes. Many centers will not accept clothes delivered in plastic bags such as trash bags or shopping bags.

5. If you are mailing your donations, fold and package them neatly into a sturdy cardboard box.

6. Deliver or mail your donations.

Tips & Warnings

• Use common sense when choosing clothes to donate. These centers don't have the capacity to handle inappropriate clothes. They give donors specific directions to leave out casual clothes, formal wear, used undergarments and hosiery, and men's and children's clothing. These centers ask that you not donate clothing that's outdated. Pick clothing that you yourself would feel comfortable wearing to an important job interview.

Resources

• Dress for Success website, which includes a link to their drop-off locations around the world
• The Women's Alliance website, which includes both their mailing address and drop-off location
• Suited For Success, a center in Oklahoma City