Husson's Professional Clothing Closet Offers Free Business Attire to Students

Published on: November 5, 2026

One of the most daunting parts of the job search process can be looking the part, especially when you’re new to the process. Buying a suit can cost well over a hundred dollars and for college students that price tag is sometimes out of the question. This alone can be enough for them to skip a career fair or a job interview altogether. 

Husson University's Professional Clothing Closet is aiming to change that.

The closet offers a wide variety of professional clothing to all students, all completely free. After making their selections and trying on their clothing, students can keep whatever they pick out forever.

The program, started in 2022 by Husson’s College of Business, is now run by Career Services. Director of Career Services Kate Axelsen Foster said that the Career Closet is focused on giving students the opportunity to access free professional clothing that is important for when they apply for jobs and have interviews. 

“Many students are struggling financially. We have a lot of students that could really benefit from this access, they just don’t have expendable income, and a suit can be pretty expensive,” Axelsen Foster said. “We want to eliminate that barrier and make sure that students can participate in events and succeed.”

Students can visit Career Services in Peabody Hall during weekly walk-in hours (Monday and Friday from 10am to 2pm and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 3pm) or by appointment. Career Service staff will lead the student to the closet on the third floor of Peabody Hall.

In the closet students will find a wide range of clothing styles, colors and sizes. The selection includes full suits, slacks, skirts, blouses, dress shirts, sweaters, cardigans and ties, all organized by size. 

Axelsen Foster said walk-ins are welcome. Students can stop in before a job interview, career fair, conference, or any networking event where they want to make a strong impression. 

"People can size us up pretty quickly, so making a good first impression is really important. Our Husson students are coming out of here very career ready, and we want them to look the part. We want them to be prepared and feel confident when they have conversations with prospective employers," Axelsen Foster said.

Career services accepts donations from Husson alumni and local young professionals on a seasonal basis. Faculty and staff can donate as well. Donated items are professionally cleaned through a partnership with Gold Star Cleaners.

Career services also offers LinkedIn headshots for students, using a backdrop and ring light setup in the Professional Clothing Closet as well as working with photography instructor Larry Ayotte, who shoots professional portraits for Husson students each semester.

"Hopefully they will leave here with something, and feel ready to take the next steps," Axelsen Foster said.

— Calvin White