Dressing women for success and keeping good stuff out of landfill

Published on 28 September 2026

Dress for Success is helping Palmerston North women feel confident and supported, while giving donated clothing and accessories a second life.

Support from our Resource Recovery Fund has helped the organisation create a dedicated space for its Aroha Bags Project, which provides casual clothing, hygiene products and sanitary items to women who need them.

Acting Manager of Resource Recovery Chris Evans says the organisation is a fantastic example of how reusing items can have benefits far beyond simply reducing waste.

“Keeping good-quality items in use for longer is exactly what we want to encourage. In this case, those clothing items are also providing practical support to women in our community, which makes their second life even more meaningful.”

Dress for Success Trustee Adie Transom (pictured above and below left) says the organisation’s work is about more than finding someone the right clothes.

“Our role is to listen, uplift and provide the practical tools and confidence a woman needs to take her next step forward.”

Dress for Success provides free personalised styling sessions and clothing for women preparing for important moments such as job interviews, graduations, training courses and work placements.

Adie says one of the most rewarding parts of the service is seeing the difference that practical support can make.

“It’s wonderful to help a woman find an outfit for a job interview, see her confidence grow, and then hear that she got the job.”

Many clients are referred through partner agencies, but women can also refer themselves and book through the Dress for Success website.

The organisation relies on clothing donated by the community. While not every item is suitable for a job interview or professional setting, that doesn’t mean it has to go to waste.

Casual clothing can be used in Aroha Bags for women experiencing hardship. Other donated items can be sold through the organisation’s small second-hand shop at the front of its Vogel Street premises, with proceeds helping to fund its services.

The shop opens on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and sells second-hand clothing at affordable prices.

Volunteers also play an important part in keeping the service running, helping to sort donations, run the shop, pack Aroha Bags and support clients.