Leading charity shops across the UK have joined
forces with careers app Debut and TV fashion expert Amber
Butchart to launch the ‘Dress to Impress for £10’ initiative.
This initiative will help improve job prospects for millions of
individuals by providing access to interview outfits for only £10
and educate job seekers on correct interview
attire.
More than 650 charity shops spanning the UK will each
feature a dedicated section of their retail space to the Dress to
Impress initiative, and store volunteers will share advice and
tips that have been provided by the BBC’s fashion expert, Amber
Butchart.
The initiative will give everyone access to interview
attire on a budget whilst demystifying what candidates should
wear to an interview today, after research undertaken by Debut
revealed that 72 percent of career hopefuls aged 16-23 didn’t
know where to start.[i]
The BBC’s Fashion Expert, Amber
Butchart, who has informed the
fashion advice for the campaign, comments:
“I'm really excited to be working with Debut and
the country’s charity shops on the ‘Dress to Impress for £10’
initiative. It’s supportive, promotes sustainability and gives
everyone the same chance to look and feel great during an
interview.
“The UK’s charity shops are brimming with hidden
gems that are waiting to go from being pre-loved to re-loved and
this campaign makes it easier to find them. Thousands of store
volunteers have been armed with my interview attire advice and a
list of interview staples that they will be showcasing in the
dedicated sections of the store, which are signposted to be found
easily.”
Charlie Taylor, Founder and CEO of
Debut calls for members
of the public to get involved:
“Everyone in the UK can benefit from this
campaign - job seekers can pick up a great outfit on a budget and
feel interview-ready, whilst everyone else can get involved and
donate their own pre-loved interview attire that they no longer
need to help a number of fantastic causes.
“The idea for the initiative stemmed from a piece
of research we did that revealed that seven in every ten people
aged 16-23 are confused about what to wear for an interview. Here
at Debut we decided to set the record straight and give every
candidate the chance to purchase a fantastic interview outfit on
a budget, armed with the information they need to ‘dress to
impress’ and land their dream career.”
Robin Osterley, CEO of the Charity Retail
Association, which represents
the interests of charity retailers that run more than 8,600
shops, comments on why they got behind the Dress to Impress
initiative:
“Charity shops play a vital role in every community, making
them a perfect place to help this campaign start conversations
about finding work, give people a helping hand to get into
employment, or source a fantastic interview outfit for a good
price.
“The Dress to Impress for £10 initiative is
extremely relevant today as competition for jobs is increasing,
and people are looking for ways to save money during the job
application process. Often education around what to wear is also
missing - and this campaign helps to overcome that whilst
supporting great causes across the UK.”
Fashion historian and author Amber provided insight
on how to dress for an interview and the wardrobe staples that
can be found in participating charity stores:
Amber’s advice:
-
Research the dress policy of the company you are
applying for
-
Don’t be afraid to wear colour, but avoid clashing
prints unless you’re interviewing for the arts or creative
industries
-
Smart separates can be better than an ill-fitting
or poorly-made suit
-
Avoid jeans and T-shirts unless you’re sure the
company has a relaxed attitude to dress
-
Avoid open-toed shoes, but white, low-rise sneakers
(think Stan Smiths) can add a contemporary element to your
professional look
-
The details matter: make sure your socks match and
your clothes aren’t creased
-
Avoid garments with too much text, such as slogans
or enormous logos
-
A blazer or jacket in a dark colour is a good
re-wearable piece for smartening up an outfit
Interview Staples:
-
Smart trousers
-
Knee length skirts
-
Shirts/blouses - not formal dress shirts but smart,
can include colour
-
Brogues/loafers
-
Smart flats and heels
-
Blazers and jackets
-
Knitwear - smart sweaters and
cardigans
The campaign launches in 650+ charity shops that will
each be displaying a window sticker from Wednesday 17th
October 2018and will run for as long as there is demand
in-store. Find out more about the Dress to Impress for £10
campaign atwww.debut.careers.
