Students learn how to dress to impress on a budget

From virtual to in-person settings, students learned how to dress for the latter at this year’s Dress for Success event.

The annual event, hosted by Lakeland College’s School of Business and Indigenous Support Services on March 10, continued to successfully bring together students and local business leaders to talk about the importance of first impressions and dressing for success, shaping how young professionals enter the workforce. 

“The event went well. This year’s panelists shared their knowledge, first impressions and how your clothes can be a big factor. I took away what I’d want to invest more money in, like a good blazer, while purchasing other items at a discount. It’s a balance to dress to impress while on a budget,” says Brooklyn Gray, a business administration accounting major student.

The event welcomed Lakeland alumni Jill Kelly from Red Bicycle Communications and Mindy Hawthorne from Brixton Shoes, April Blythe from Cliff Rose For Clothes and Barbara Russett Bulhoes from Addilynn Apparel. 

Gray, who emceed the event in 2022, returned to the podium to read the student-crafted Indigenous land acknowledgment, which developed her public speaking skills. However, she was able to step out of her comfort zone by modelling examples of dressing for success. Gray says this was beneficial since many employers are moving away from virtual job interviews.

“By doing over-the-phone or video conference interviews, I found that there wasn’t as much pressure to dress professionally, so having an event like this and having people talk about attire and show options is beneficial for students.”

Additional benefits of the event were the opportunity for business students and members of the Indigenous Student Council to collaborate.

“It's always great when students from different groups can work together. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can benefit from the advice and insight this event brings. It shows students and our community that both departments work together to help students learn more about business and can help them with some questions about the school and going into the workforce later,” Gray explains.

Plans are underway to bring the event back in 2024.

Photos: Top - Brooklyn Gray, a business administration accounting major student, models at Dress for Success 2023. Middle - Dress for Success 2023 panelists and crowd. Bottom - Dress for Success 2023 planning committee and panelists.