A new sustainable resource for students seeking professional attire, the Carolina Closet, will be available starting later this year. Student Body President Adolfo Alvarez's administration will launch the initiative, a concept first introduced during his campaign this spring as part of his goal to achieve financial accessibility on campus.
"I think that access to formal attire is one of the most significant class divides on campus. Having access to formal wear is such an instrumental part of professional development, which, at the end of the day, is what colleges are created for: to help people develop their careers."
A previous iteration of the Carolina Closet, in the form of a student club, ended in 2022. Alvarez said he believes that the new version having solid connections to student government, alumni and donors will help ensure its longevity.
Meeting Student Needs
UNC senior Saavi Banerjee, director of UNC's new department for basic needs, said the Carolina Closet initiative aims to consider and reflect the needs of all students. Banerjee has been working with Alvarez on the project since his SBP campaign last year.
One of the ways the initiative will meet the demands of the student body is through having a diverse range of sizes available for all students, which Banerjee said is a top priority. Additionally, Banerjee said she created a survey to collect student input on the Carolina Closet, which she said will be sent out shortly after classes begin.
"We do have a lot of different ideas for the proposal and the actual implementation, but making sure we know what students want from the project is really important," Banerjee said.
Expanding Access Beyond Upperclassmen
Styled for Success, a similar professional development initiative by the University, has provided a stipend of up to $700 helping qualifying juniors and seniors purchase professional attire. UNC junior Veronica Quiett, co-director of strategic initiatives in the Undergraduate Executive Branch, said the Carolina Closet team hopes to provide clothing to students of all years.
"Freshmen and sophomores are also entering the working world," Quiett said.
Location and Implementation
While a location for a physical closet is yet to be finalized, Alvarez said that the team is currently eyeing the Student and Academic Services Building North or the Student Union.
"We are hoping to get a location that we would put at the center of people's awareness," Alvarez said.
UNC senior Virginia Llewellyn, the other co-director of strategic initiatives in the executive branch, said the initiative will also aim to provide support and resources for students unfamiliar with attire requirements in certain events or settings.
"When I was a freshman, it was so hard to figure out what I should be wearing. What was appropriate for certain events? Where do I even get these clothes? How should they look on me? How should I be styling them or wearing them? Having a resource like Carolina Closet will really bridge a lot of those gaps and make everyone's lives easier."
Looking Forward
Alvarez's final proposal for the Carolina Closet is still in the works. No matter its final form, Quiett said it will open doors for students entering the professional world.
"You just never know how much something like this can really impact a student, and continue to impact and shape their future," Quiett said.