Wolfpack Wardrobe: A student’s treasure

by Macie Capote

By Macie Capote
Clarion Herald

Amid the demanding hours of classes and late-night study sessions, college students face an additional challenge: securing a job after graduation. A critical step in this process is acing the interview, but what if you lack the professional attire needed to make a great impression? That’s where Loyola University New Orleans’ Wolfpack Wardrobe comes in.

Wolfpack Wardrobe is a student-run organization focused on reducing the cost burden of professional attire, by allowing students to borrow or own gently used clothing at no cost.
Caleigh Flynn, executive assistant to the dean of the College of Music Media, saw the need for free professional wear for students and set out to address it.

“I began Wolfpack Wardrobe in 2020 as a way for our students to have access to professional clothes for on-camera and video interviews,” Flynn said. “Once we realized that there was a willing and passionate donor base for these items, the mission expanded to create a space where students can browse our collection and try on clothing, with no associated cost and no questions asked.”

Students just starting their professional careers may not have the funds to dress in a way that makes them feel their best, Flynn said.

“That’s where our incredible community comes in,” she said.

The organization is opening a second shopping location on campus, which will allow students to take headshots and receive advice from Loyola’s Student Development Team. They will be partnering with Loyola’s Student Employment office to provide these services directly to students.

Wolfpack Wardrobe also welcomes donations of all types, including casual clothing, according to Flynn, noting that financial challenges related to dressing professionally extend beyond just acquiring business attire.

“We've been lucky to have very passionate students managing the day-to-day operations of the space, and they are the backbone of the mission,” Flynn said.

To find out more about Wolfpack Wardrobe, go to https://bit.ly/3yeWA6E.

mcapote@clarionherald.org