Clothes may not make the man — or the woman, as it may be — but they certainly can make a great first impression. To help students build a professional wardrobe and achieve positive impressions that are integral to the interview process, the Cox School of Business is holding its third annual “Dress for Success” fashion show.
Male and female student models will strut down a runway in the Ernest & Young Room of the Fincher Building from 5 to 7 p.m. today. The show, which is produced and coordinated through the combined efforts of the Retail Club, the Marketing Club, and Alpha Kappa Psi, will instruct students in the rules of proper professional attire for many business occasions.
“First impressions, like it or not, open doors,” Rosanne Byrnes, managing director of the Retail Club and coordinator of the fashion show, said. “Being appropriately dressed is very important, and you need to think about it in advance.”
Being appropriately dressed varies according to situation, however. The show will be in two parts and cover the various levels of business dress of which many students may not be aware. The show will also cover which types of dress are suitable for different work environments. For example, those entering the corporate field should expect to dress very conservatively, while those pursuing a job in the communications field are allowed more leeway and might even be expected to express personal style.
Byrnes also provides advice on how to build a wardrobe on a budget. For those who prefer designer brands, Neiman’s Last Call in the Grapevine Mills Outlet Mall provides designer labels at pocket-friendly prices. Students can also save money by mixing and matching a few key pieces. “You don’t have to have a completely different outfit—you can mix it up,” she said.
Holly Jarma, president of the Retail Club, agrees with the benefits of mixing key pieces. “Versatility of the different pieces in your wardrobe saves yourself money and offers you different options to express your individual style.”
In an e-mail interview, Brittany Timmerman, vice president of the Marketing Association, encourages students from all schools on campus to attend the event. “This is an opportunity for all students. Business students are not the only students who will need to dress professionally for interviews,” she said. “Most, if not all, students will need these skills at some point.” In the past, the show has drawn people from outside campus as well as graduate and undergraduate students.
Clothes in each category will be provided by Ann Taylor and Men’s Wearhouse, the stores sponsoring the show.
Rebecca Lyne, the manager of Ann Taylor, is excited about the store’s involvement in the event. It is Lyne’s first year to be involved, and she strongly recognizes that professional dress is a requirement for success. “If you really want to get somewhere in the world, first impressions are everything,” she said. “You have to take every step.” Lyne will also be a moderator at the event.
Those who have attended shows in the past have received discount coupons for the sponsoring stores, and Byrnes anticipates the same plan this year. The students who bring in their flyers or coupons as proof of attendance can also receive personal help in picking their first suit or business outfit. In addition, refreshments will be provided at the show.
The Cox School of Business offers other programs to prepare SMU students for business occasions throughout the year, such as a business etiquette dinner offered each fall and a networking program created with the B.B.A. Scholars.
