Effect of a philanthropic clothing program on women-in-transition: Fashion Takes Action

Identification of workplace dress by low‐income job seekers

“…This study highlights what low‐income job seekers participating in a workplace dress program identified as traditional and business casual attire. Assessments of previous workplace programs have shown that these programs influence participants’ knowledge about workplace dress, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, and perceptions of the significance of workplace dress (e.g., see McLeod, 2003; Saiki, 2005). Assessing how participants in these programs define workplace dress is useful in understanding how this concept is perceived by novice professionals.…”

“…Professionals and students entering the professional workforce have been asked to place clothing pieces into formal to casual categories (Dillon, 1980; Franz & Norton, 2001), and popular literature by image consultants identifies similar categories (Bixler & Nix‐Rice, 2005). Individuals with low incomes have been assessed before and after workplace dress programs about the information they learned regarding general workplace dress guidelines, appreciation of workplace dress, self‐efficacy, and self‐esteem (see, e.g., McLeod, 2003; Saiki, 2005; Turner‐Bowker, 2001). Most of the reported results are from programs for women with low incomes (e.g., Fiore & DeLong, 1990; McLeod, 2003; Turner‐Bowker, 2001).…”

“…Individuals with low incomes have been assessed before and after workplace dress programs about the information they learned regarding general workplace dress guidelines, appreciation of workplace dress, self‐efficacy, and self‐esteem (see, e.g., McLeod, 2003; Saiki, 2005; Turner‐Bowker, 2001). Most of the reported results are from programs for women with low incomes (e.g., Fiore & DeLong, 1990; McLeod, 2003; Turner‐Bowker, 2001).…”

“…Other findings from workplace dress programs suggest that participants should learn key concepts about professional dress (McLeod, 2003; Saiki, 2005). McLeod (2003) used qualitative questioning, participant observations, and Likert‐type questioning to assess knowledge among low‐income women after they participated in a workplace dress program. The program paired the participant with a fashion expert for information and shopping sessions at local retail stores.…”

“…In interviews, female participants said they learned about the importance of workplace dress. These workplace dress programs have also been found to, through already established surveys and qualitative questioning, increase participant self‐esteem and self‐efficacy (e.g., McLeod, 2003; Saiki, 2005).…”