Only fire fits at Stomper’s Closet

Just like sipping on matcha lattes and listening to music with wired earbuds, Gen Zs love to thrift. Whether it be in classic downtown thrift stores, markets or online, great finds are always out there. The CSU Ballroom was transformed last week into Stomper’s Closet, a free thrift pop-up for professional clothing where all students were invited to choose one full outfit to keep.

Stomper’s Closet was a hit — doors opened at 11 a.m., but students reported that the best picks were gone by 11:30 a.m.

The purpose of the event was to provide free and gently used professional outfits to students so they can feel confident walking into fairs, interviews, internships and jobs, according to Katie Jolicoeur, director of MSU’s Career Services.

We live in a society that rewards a professional appearance in the workplace. However, professional attire isn’t always easily accessible. Those who need work most often have the highest barriers to entry barring them from acquiring suitable clothing.

That is why Jolicoeur emphasizes the importance of providing such access to students.

“I think it is very important to provide access to professional clothing to all students to ensure that they can all have the same opportunities, no matter what their situation. We know that students already struggle to pay tuition, rent and groceries. At the same time, we are encouraging students to dress their best for fairs and interviews … An event like this fills that gap for them,” she said.

Such a big event requires coordinated effort, planning and time. The process for the Closet started way before students stepped back onto campus this fall.

“It started this summer by putting together a flier and reaching out to our biggest employer partners in the immediate Mankato area asking them to host a donation box,” she said. “We had employers reach back out and agree, so we dropped off boxes and for a month made trips back and forth with loads of clothes as the boxes filled again and again.”

Some faculty also contributed clothing items. Student workers sorted items, inventoried and tagged items that were then stored. The day before the event, students and staff retrieved the items from storage and prepared them for display.

“It took just over an hour to pack what was left back up and haul it back into storage for next time. It involved faculty, staff, student workers, graduate assistants and of course, the employer partners who donated generously,” Jolicoeur shared.

Hard work pays off. Putting smiles onto students’ faces is a fulfilling goal for Jolicoeur.

“My favorite part was when students came up to show me what they had found and seeing how excited they were. For most of them, it was their first professional suit or outfit,” she said.

Other than fire fits, the Career Development Center offers direct resources to help Mavericks succeed in the workforce. Career advisors and resume help are just a couple things the center has to offer. It is located on the second floor of Wigley Administration Building in the passage between the CSU and Morris Hall. Stop by anytime during open hours.

Write to serene.lu@mnsu.edu

Only fire fits at Stomper’s Closet

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