Makeshift boutique helps BU students build confidence

A classroom in Brandon University’s Education Building was transformed into a boutique Friday morning as students browsed racks and tables filled with professional clothing during the university’s first-ever Confidence Closet event.

Held in Room 107, the space featured approximately 900 pieces of clothing, some neatly hung on racks and others folded on tables, providing students with the opportunity to build or expand their professional wardrobe at no cost.

Initiatives like the Confidence Closet help students feel more prepared to take the next step professionally, BU co-op student Cameryn Dunning, attending her first co-op event, told the Sun.

“I think it’s really good,” Dunning said. “Things like the Confidence Closet make it easier for students to be more confident in their abilities when going to new job opportunities that they may not know a whole lot about or feel anxiety about. It gives them that extra little boost to say, ‘I feel good about myself, and I’m going to do this.’”

The event drew students from across campus, including bachelor of arts co-op student Michelle William-Joel, who said access to professional clothing can remove a major barrier for students entering the workforce.

“This is good for students, especially co-op students or students who actually want to see themselves in the work field,” she said in an interview. “Sometimes you feel like you don’t have what to wear, and this is really a good thing for us to start with.”

William-Joel said she found a blue cardigan suited for winter weather, adding that professional clothing can be expensive or difficult to find, especially for students balancing school and finances.

The initiative aimed to help students feel more confident as they prepare for interviews, co-op placements and future careers, BU co-operative program co-ordinator Cora Dupuis told the Sun on Friday.

Dupuis said the Confidence Closet grew out of an earlier idea to create a smaller clothing resource for education students, and the concept expanded quickly once staff, faculty and community members became involved.

“Shawna Philpott from the faculty of education had the idea of creating what she called the teacher’s closet,” Dupuis said. “When she shared the idea with me, I asked if we could make this bigger and serve more students.”

Clothing donations were collected across campus and from the wider community, resulting in more than 900 items, including gently used professional wear and some new pieces still bearing tags, she said.

Dupuis said organizers encouraged students to take multiple items so they could leave with a complete outfit and feel confident entering professional settings.

“The turnout’s been great,” she said. “Every student I’ve talked to has been impressed by what we’ve put together and delighted that they get to walk away with a few new pieces for their professional wardrobe.”

The event also highlighted sustainability through the reuse of clothing.

Shae Worthington, a BU alum who runs an online secondhand boutique, volunteered to help students select outfits and contributed items from her own collection.

“My whole business model is based around sustainable clothing and secondhand shopping,” Worthington said. “Textile waste is such a huge issue, so it’s really nice to see community partners starting initiatives where we provide secondhand clothing to students.”

She said the quality of donated items stood out, noting that many professional garments were high-end brands donated by people no longer needing them.

Dupuis said the success of the first Confidence Closet has already sparked discussions about making it an annual event, giving future students continued access to professional clothing and support as they transition into the workforce.

“I’m just really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, and we are considering making this annual,” Dupuis said. “It’s been a real team effort, and we’re supporting this next generation of leaders as they go out into the workforce.”

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