By Ben Joravsky
Bottomless Closet was founded in 1989 by Laurel Baer, a radio marketing executive. “Laurel was listening to a radio show while driving to work and she heard some women on public aid talk about their transition problems,” says Kathy Miller, Bottomless Closet’s former executive director. “One woman said, ‘I have skills, I’m motivated, I worked before, but I don’t have the budget to buy an interview suit.’ Laurel thought, ‘I could take ten things out of my closet and outfit this woman.’”
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On most days there are both fittings and drop-offs, meaning a constant commingling of women in vastly different situations. “Our clients come from various job-training programs and social service agencies throughout the area–we work with 135 different programs,” says Miller. “We ask no questions, we make no judgments–this is not about who they were or where they’re coming from. There are rules however. Clients have their fittings by themselves. This is, after all, about them. Besides, it’s inappropriate to come with a friend. You wouldn’t bring an entourage with you to a job interview. We tell them to think of this as a tryout for an interview. They’re coming to a downtown office. It’s a very easy place to practice and learn.
“Of course that means different things for different offices. Corporate casual doesn’t mean the same for LaSalle Bank as it does for Leo Burnett. When I used to work for Apple I flew around the country. It was amazing to see the different styles in the midwest as opposed to the east or west coast. Part of being a good salesperson is wearing the appropriate ‘uniform’ for the audience you’re trying to convince. They look at you and think, ‘She’s credible, she looks like me.’ Then the issue fades away and we can deal. I know there’s an attitude, ‘Oh, isn’t it cute those girls are dressing up over there!’ But this is a sociological phenomenon. We’re teaching women the language of clothes. We’re getting them the uniforms they need to be taken seriously in the work world.”
Miller says the clients of Bottomless Closet have changed since new welfare laws were adopted a few years ago. “I see some disturbing trends,” she says. “The focus has been taken off job readiness and job training. The priority is to just get a job, any job, it doesn’t matter if it’s a good job that’s appropriate for you. Many of our clients are being steered toward jobs without any concern for their skills or long-term goals.
