Western Outfitters

Western Outfitters is an initiative dedicated to empowering students by providing free, high-quality professional attire to support their career development. It ensures that all students, regardless of financial circumstances, have access to the clothing they need for key professional opportunities such as internships, interviews, job shadowing, and public speaking events.

We welcome donations of new or gently used professional attire including suits, dress shirts, blouses, slacks, skirts, dresses, belts, shoes, ties, and other accessories—that students can wear to interviews, internships, and other career-building events. Clothing donations can be brought to the front desk of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Western Outfitters also gratefully accepts monetary donations through our WMU foundation fund. The funds donated to the store will support its continued operation as well as help purchase needed professional attire items not donated by the community.

Western Outfitters is located on the second floor of North Kohrman Hall (also the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences) in the former art gallery. Dressing rooms are available for your convenience.

Fall 2025 Semester Hours:

• Monday: 12:30-4:30PM
• Tuesday and Thursday: 10-1PM
• Wednesday: 9-Noon
• Friday: 10-4PM

To support the continued success and equitable use of the Western Outfitters, all students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Eligibility
Western Outfitters is available to all currently enrolled students at Western Michigan University, regardless of academic discipline or financial need. This service is intended to support students' professional development and is free of charge.

2. Permitted Use
Items provided by Western Outfitters are to be used exclusively for professional, career-related purposes, including but not limited to:

• University-sponsored or supported career fairs
• Graduate school interviews
• Academic or professional presentations
• Job interviews or internship interviews
• Academic or professional conferences
  Use for any other purposes is not permitted.

3. Verification of Need
Students must provide documentation to confirm the purpose of use. Acceptable forms of documentation include:

• Event registration confirmation
• Syllabus or assignment description
• Email or flyer related to the event
• Official notification of interview or presentation
  Documentation must be presented at the time of item checkout.

4. Item Limits
To ensure fair and consistent access for all students, each student may borrow up to two (2) professional items per academic year (Fall/Spring).

5. Trade-In Option
Students who have reached their item limit may participate in a Trade-Up Program:

• Up to two (2) additional items may be borrowed by donating professional clothing in good condition or returning previously borrowed items.
• Each donation or return qualifies the student to borrow one (1) additional item, up to the maximum of two (2) additional items.

6. Identification Requirements
Students must present a valid WMU student ID at the time of service. Western Outfitters staff will verify eligibility and assist students with item selection.

7. Right to Refuse Service
Western Outfitters reserves the right to refuse service if the intended use of items does not align with this policy.

8. Policy Updates
All policies are subject to change without prior notice. Students are encouraged to check for the most recent guidelines before using the service. (Updated Oct. 2025)