Suiting Up for Success

McCombs students have opportunity to build professional wardrobes, confidence, and a stronger start to their careers

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Jared Wiesenthal, B.S. ’21, helps first-year student Hudayf Aydid select the right jacket to complete his suit-and-tie ensemble. The owner of Concierge Clothing assisted students by taking their measurements and offering his advice as an experienced tailor. Photo by Brandon Walker

Winner Kitoko, a first-year student at the McCombs School of Business, packed in such a rush the night before leaving his home in Irving that he forgot to bring many essentials with him, including a dress shirt and tie.

Many on-campus events for business students, ranging from career fairs to student organization meetings, require business dress attire for attendance, so Kitoko lucked out the moment he saw a sign for an event at the business school offering students free professional wear.

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Andres Rojas, a first-year finance student, plans to wear the suit ensemble he got from the Suit Up Clothing Drive not only to the McCombs Fall Career Expo but also to the Hispanic Business Student Association’s Company Night event. Rojas, who is a McCombs Success Scholar, was looking to expand his wardrobe ahead of the big events. Photo by Brandon Walker

The McCombs Career Management and Corporate Relations (CMCR) team hosted the Suit Up Clothing Drive. The event provides students with suit jackets, dress shirts, and other essentials to complete their professional appearance. The clothing drive happens every semester leading up to the McCombs Career Expo, where students interview for internships and jobs.

The career management team used to buy all the clothes from Amazon, but now they source most of the inventory from Jared Wiesenthal, B.S. ’21, owner of Concierge Clothing. The fourth-generation clothier assisted during the event by getting the appropriate sizes for students and giving them advice to make sure they look sharp for a future in the business world.

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McCombs students search through piles and racks to complete their full business attire with the perfect tie. The Suit Up Clothing Drive offers a variety of clothing items from jackets all the way down to shoes. Photo by Brandon Walker

“We require our students to wear jackets to go to expo, and we realized if we were going to make that requirement then we should offer a resource for students to get a jacket,” said Tiffany Shelby, director of employer engagement and special events at McCombs.

During the event, students scrambled around the busy room lined with clothing racks as they searched for every piece of their ideal outfit. While some were getting their measurements and trying on jackets, others were searching through stacks of shoes and ties to find the perfect ones.   

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First-year student Lara Cakmakci wants to dress like a business professional as well as a true McCombs student. She didn’t hesitate to attend after she stumbled upon the flyer for the clothing drive while browsing the Recruit McCombs website. Photo by Brandon Walker

“I think it’s amazing. Everything they provided showcases how good McCombs is because at some schools they just like throw you into the water, but here they help you every step of the way,” said Kitoko, a McCombs Success Scholar, after coming out with a full outfit.

Mia Martinez, a supply chain management first-year student, just happened to walk by the big line of students waiting to get into the room when she realized the school was giving out free clothes.

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McCombs students go through the racks in pursuit of the right suit jacket. The Suit Up Clothing Drive happens twice a year, usually in anticipation of the McCombs Career Expo, where students are required to wear jackets. Photo by Brandon Walker

Martinez joined several business clubs around campus, and even though she brought some outfits along with her from her home in El Paso, she said she underestimated the variety of professional attire she would need.

“All students, no matter what background, everyone needs options,” she said. “Like me, literally, I’m going to an event tonight, and I’m going to go home tonight and wash this and wear it because I’ve already worn all my other shirts, so it works out perfectly.”

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Winner Kitoko, a first-year student, comes out of the Suit Up Clothing Drive with a navy blue suit ensemble. A McCombs Success Scholar from Irving, Kitoko said he’s now ready for career fairs, alumni events, and business organization meetings. Photo by Brandon Walker

The same goes for first-year finance major Andres Rojas, who went to Suit Up with the hopes of expanding his wardrobe, mainly with a new dress shirt and suit jacket, he said. He found both and even came out with a bonus pair of pants.

“It was great help because not everyone has the resources to go and buy a $400 suit, and I got it for free,” said Rojas, a McCombs Success Scholar.

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Mia Martinez, a first-year student studying supply chain management, finds exactly what she’s looking for: a new shirt to expand her collection. She wants to add more options to her wardrobe given the number of business events she plans to attend. Photo by Brandon Walker

Being part of the business world requires dressing the part, first-year student Lara Cakmakci said.

“This is awesome. Clothes are expensive, especially business clothes, so having this for students is a big advantage, and we get to dress really appropriately to interviews and all of that. So I’m glad McCombs provides us with this resource.”

Story by Raul Flores

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