Giving The Suit Off Your Back

FREMONT, Calif., July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Men's Wearhouse, one of North America's largest men's specialty retailers, launches its seventh annual National Suit Drive, a month-long initiative that encourages donations of gently-used suits and professional attire. Clothing collected from the drive will be distributed to over 180 local nonprofit organizations that provide job ready skills and training to unemployed and underemployed men in the United States.

"I will never forget the suit that I wore to my first job interview. Knowing I was properly attired gave me the confidence to speak with more authority, to stand a little straighter," said Joseph Abboud, award-winning designer and Chief Creative Director at Men's Wearhouse.  "Whether you are a twenty-something seeking a first job or an unemployed professional hoping to revitalize your career, the need to look and feel your best in order to rise to the occasion is universal."

Over the past six years, Men's Wearhouse has collected over 650,000 professional clothing donations to support unemployed individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce and this year, the goal is to collect another 150,000 clothing items. Starting today through July 31, consumers can donate their gently-used clothing, including men's and women's suits, ties, jackets, shirts, pants, belts and shoes, to any of the over 900 Men's Wearhouse locations across the country. As a thank you, donors will receive 50 percent off their next purchase from Men's Wearhouse (excluding shoes, clearance and Exceptional Value items). 

"Making a good first impression is never more important than during a job interview. The National Suit Drive empowers men by helping them to look and feel their best even in challenging times," said Doug Ewert, President and CEO of The Men's Wearhouse, Inc. "We know there is a story behind every suit collected, and we want to give each recipient the opportunity to write a new chapter."

"When you put on a suit, your whole attitude changes," said Rich Harper, a National Suit Drive recipient and Wardrobe for Opportunity volunteer. "Speaking from experience, people look at you differently when you're wearing a suit and you feel more confident."

#GIVEASUIT AND SPREAD THE WORD
Just as a song can transport the listener back to a moment in time, so can certain suits trigger memories of a special occasion. To help spread the word about the National Suit Drive, Men's Wearhouse is asking consumers to participate by sharing personal suit stories and images with the hashtag: #giveasuit. In addition, Men's Wearhouse will donate a dollar (up to $20,000) to the local non-profit organizations it partners with if consumers do any of the following:

1. Follow @MensWearhouse on Twitter or Instagram
2. Tweet #giveasuit
3. Share or upload a photo of a clothing donation with #giveasuit
4. Share any of the videos found on www.nationalsuitdrive.com with their social networks

For more information, visit the National Suit Drive website at www.nationalsuitdrive.com.

About Men's Wearhouse
Founded in 1973, Men's Wearhouse is one of North America's largest specialty retailers of men's apparel with 1,128 stores.  The Men's Wearhouse, Moores and K&G stores carry a full selection of suits, sport coats, furnishings and accessories in exclusive and non-exclusive merchandise brands and Men's Wearhouse and Tux stores carry a limited selection.  Most K&G stores carry a full selection of women's apparel.  Tuxedo rentals are available in the Men's Wearhouse, Moores and Men's Wearhouse and Tux stores.  Additionally, Men's Wearhouse operates a global corporate apparel and workwear group consisting of Twin Hill in the United States and Dimensions, Alexandra and Yaffy in the United Kingdom.  Investors can find additional information at http://ir.menswearhouse.com. 

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SOURCE Men's Wearhouse