Mallory Hlava
Contributing Writer
Murray State University students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to shop for heavily discounted business attire at the JCPenney Suit-Up event.
The event will take place Sept. 29, from 4 to 9 p.m. at 720 N. 12th Street in Murray.
According to Career Services’ JCPenney Suit-Up event flyer, the store will offer 60 percent off business suits, shirts, pants and shoes. Some new items such as men’s khakis, men’s basics and fashion jewelry, will also be available.
Shoppers can download the JCPenney Mobile App ahead of time to start earning $10 rewards.
Career Services intern Emily Perry said February’s Suit-Up event was a major success.
“We doubled our goal for the number of students that participated, which meant over 400 people attended,” Perry said. “We want to have even more show up this year.”
Suit-Up, Shoes Up
The Suit-Up event is a practical way for Murray State students to shop professional clothing at a reasonable price and it reminds everyone about the wardrobe demands in a professional setting.
Perry said Career Services has been collaborating with JCPenney throughout the past few months, planning to make this year’s Suit-Up event even bigger and better than last year’s.
“JCPenney has been so great to work with for this event,” Perry said. “They have been very organized and excited to collaborate with us again on an event that truly gives back to our campus and community. JCPenney staff will be on hand at the event, helping students with outfit selection and measurements.”
Spreading the word
Bailey Crossley, social media specialist, said she has been posting about the event twice a week for a month on multiple social media platforms and passing out flyers. She also said Career Services has been visiting groups, organizations and departments since the beginning of the month to spread the word as much as possible.
Crossley said the event is scheduled for the weekend after Family Weekend because she is hoping students will talk to their parents about getting the means to participate.
“We are specifically promoting to encourage parents to help students figure out what attire they are in need of and what attire they might need for the future,” Crossley said.
Matthew Purdy, director of Career Services, said the event was also scheduled with the Oct. 15 and 16 career fairs in mind.
“Proper attire is critical to networking and interviewing,” Purdy said. “This gives Murray State students the opportunity to get some very nice, new professional clothing at a fraction of the normal price.”
Student perspective
Senior nursing major Abby Hammitt participated in the Suit-Up event last semester and said it provided her with numerous benefits.
“This event gave me the opportunity to get new professional dress for interviews and presentations,” Hammitt said. “I got $115 worth of clothes for $50 and I was even able to order my dress pants in longs and have them shipped to the store with the same discount.”
Hammitt said she purchased two pairs of dress pants, two blouses and one dress at the event.
She encouraged students to take advantage of the major discounts to be fully equipped with essential clothing for the future.
Purdy said he has heard wonderful stories of students who were buying their first suit or students who wore their JCPenney suit to their interview with success.
“Things like that are super inspirational to us in the Career Services office,” Purdy said.
