Abstract
Little research exists linking interview-appropriate attire to improved employment outcomes for women. Thus, it appears that the professional clothing bank has not been investigated as evidence-based practice. To provide preliminary evidence for clothing banks, in this article the author synthesizes findings from existing research on the provision of a professional clothing bank as a means for offering interview-appropriate attire to poor women in job readiness programming. For context, job readiness programs are explored and a case study of one program operating a professional clothing bank is presented. Finally, preliminary considerations for planning and implementing clothing banks based on this literature review are given.
Notes
1. Homelessness is defined here as whether staying with friends or family, living in a homeless or domestic violence shelter, or living in transitional housing due to addiction or incarceration.
2. Though the term “fat” is often associated with judgment and bias, the author has chosen to use the word in a descriptive manner as is encouraged by the fat acceptance movement and the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, Citation2013).