National Suit Drive Helps Unemployed Americans Suit Up for Success

Men’s Wearhouse Fourth Annual National Suit Drive Collects over 80,000 Clothing Items for Job Seekers

HOUSTON, Aug. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — For the fourth year, Men’s Wearhouse has held a successful National Suit Drive, the country’s largest collection of gently used professional attire. The company devoted the month of August to encouraging patrons to transform their unwanted businesswear into a second chance for millions of disadvantaged Americans facing joblessness.

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Despite recent job increases in select industries, the unemployment rate is still hovering just above an alarming 9 percent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of July 2011:

• African-Americans are experiencing a 16.2 percent unemployment rate — almost 1.8 times the national average of 9.2 percent.
• The U.S. Latino population is experiencing an 11.6 percent unemployment rate.
• U.S. males are experiencing a 9.1 percent unemployment rate, while U.S. females are facing an 8.0 percent rate.

The power of a suit in the workplace is not to be underestimated, according to the nationwide Men’s Wearhouse Well-Dressed Men Survey conducted earlier this year by Kelton Research for Men’s Wearhouse. A full 75 percent of Americans polled believe well-dressed men are more successful in the workplace than their casual colleagues, and 22 percent of men actually believe they would earn more money if only they dressed better.

Men’s Wearhouse, a leader in men’s formal and professional attire, has long preached the value of a suit to a man’s confidence. Known for his “guarantee,” George Zimmer, Men’s Wearhouse founder and executive chairman, sees National Suit Drive as “a chance to share that guarantee of assurance with those less fortunate and in transition into the workforce. A suit can do wonders to boost confidence in interviews and networking.”

Despite talk of the recession’s end, Men’s Wearhouse’s efforts in its largest yearly philanthropic event are as ambitious as ever. With just days remaining to donate to the drive, 80,449 items have been collected at more than 900 Men’s Wearhouse locations around the country, including 9,027 suits. August 31 is the final day stores will be accepting donations to the drive — it’s not too late to make a difference in the lives of Americans with barriers to employment.

About Men’s Wearhouse

Since it was founded in 1973, Men’s Wearhouse has become one of the largest specialty retailers of men’s apparel in the country, with more than 900 stores carrying a full selection of designer and private-label suits, sport coats, casualwear, and accessories. Today, The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. family of companies includes Men’s Wearhouse, MW Cleaners, K&G Fashion Superstore, TwinHill Corporate Apparel, and Moores Clothing for Men in Canada, making it one of North America’s leading providers of quality and value in both apparel and apparel care. Men’s Wearhouse also operates in a global corporate apparel and workwear group consisting of Dimensions and Alexandra in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please visit the company’s website at www.menswearhouse.com.

SOURCE Men’s Wearhouse