So you’ve landed the interview for the dream internship you’ve been eyeing forever. We all know you really want to impress, but first, you’ve got to know how to dress.

Luckily, Truman’s Closet has you covered. Whether you temporarily need a simple suit and tie or want to try on a classy pencil skirt and blouse, the service, housed in the Rock Quarry Facility on Rock Quarry Road, will help students borrow anything they need.

And on Monday, you’ll get to see all of your options, thanks to the School of Health Professions’ Career Services Department.

The department is putting on a fashion show, Dress to Impress, to show students what their professional wear options are, coordinator Meredith Shaw says.

“It’s also about learning about the Truman’s Closet program and a way to let (students) know it’s available and relevant to them,” Shaw says.

The idea for the show came about when health professions graduate student Helen Demse reached out to Truman’s Closet executive coordinator Kathleen Kowalsky and operations chairwoman Sarah Snow.

Demse’s proposal was to collaborate with the service to show various options of professional dress for health professions students. However, Shaw says students of all majors can come see what Truman’s Closet has to offer.

The event will have snacks and beverages available, and Shaw will open Dress to Impress by speaking about the goal of professional dress.

Afterward, an emcee will introduce the 12 models showing off outfits. The models will also have interview and professional development advice for the emcee to deliver, Shaw says.

“(Students) are not only going to get the look but also some tips from their peers,” Shaw says.

Kowalsky says the models were specifically fitted into clothing that suited their style and the event.

“When our models came into the Closet, we had our staff and exec outfit them into clothing that was going to showcase professionalism in a personal way,” Kowalsky says. “We really try to understand our customers and give them something they will feel confident in. They are our inspiration for any outfit we pick out.”

Snow says Truman’s Closet gets its apparel from donations from both men and women. The inventory consists of two and three-piece suits, skirts, separate blazers and pants, blouses, oxfords, scarves, ties, and shoes to suit styles of all kinds.

And there’s more along the way, as well.

“We currently are looking to expand our accessories and shoe collection to offer a wider range of options for our clients,” Snow says. “Our staff is trained to help each client with styling, creating a balance between their personal preferences in clothing and the event that he or she is dressing for.”

Snow says she hopes the student body will see how simple dressing professionally — while having fun and adding personal flair — can be.

“Many times students, even people in the workforce already, have so much trouble with professional dress because they believe that all suits are created equal,” Snow says. “In reality, there are so many different styles and cuts of suits.”

Professional dress guidelines also do not always require suits, Snow says.

“Sometimes it may even be acceptable to wear something like a pencil skirt and
a blouse, or a pair of slacks and an oxford,” she says. “Truman’s Closet has a countless number of options, and we are here to display how simple it can be to dress professionally.”