Fresh off a call with Robyn Moore, executive manager of Dress for Success Auckland, I am kicking myself for not thinking more deeply about my old clothes. You know how it is – items in your wardrobe that cost you so much you can’t quite bring yourself to “get rid”, so they linger, taking up precious wardrobe room and head space.

There’s a solution to passing on garments that no longer fit or you just don’t wear that is guaranteed to bring joy. Those pieces of clothing could make a huge difference to another, possibly vulnerable, woman. Dress for Success Auckland (DFSA), which has recently moved into new premises in Khyber Pass, will take quality garments, shoes, unused make-up and jewellery off your hands. It’s win-win.

“Our move here has been about creating a better experience for our clients,” says Robyn. “A lot of them have never had the experience of a one-on-one session with a stylist that is 100% focused on their needs. They are greeted in a lovely reception area and then taken through to the boutique, where there are lovely quality clothes, with separate rooms for make-up, shoes and jewellery. It is all about them and treating them with care and respect.”

The essence of Dress for Success Auckland is helping women to feel good about themselves, build their confidence and empower them into employment. There’s no one typical client; they come from all walks of life. Aged between 18-65, they could be single mothers re-entering the workforce, women who have lost their jobs, women new to Aotearoa, refugees, divorced women or survivors of domestic violence. Any woman in need can access DFSA’s services and walk through the door with no questions asked.

“We do not need to know their back story, we don’t judge, we just want to provide women with a wrap-around service so they feel their best while they are searching for a job,” says Moore. “We recognise that it takes a lot of courage for a woman to ask for help.”

The first step is ringing to make an appointment. Services include a one-on-one stylist who provides appropriate clothing for a job interview. Once a woman gets a job, she can come back and receive a capsule wardrobe to get her through those first few weeks of work.

Robyn recalls a woman she had helped to dress who landed a job at a law firm. The woman was nervous about the clothes she needed for the role, but Robyn told her “don’t worry, we will have you looking amazing”. She walked away with a fabulous wardrobe that matched any of her co-workers in the office. “It was important she felt confident that when she started her job, that she was going to look the part.”

DFSA also has 11 volunteer career coaches who help women with their CVs and interview skills. Robyn recalls a woman in her fifties who came to them after she lost her job of 30 years. She was clearly hurt by losing a role she loved and as a result had lost all her confidence. It was through the coaching process, where she talked about her skills, that she was able to realise her value to an employer. DFSA coaches were able to help her with her CV, provide a confidence boost and help her on her journey to the next role.

“A lot of women end up in situations through no fault of their own and it’s often that extra bit of confidence we can give them. We all feel good when we understand our worth and are wearing a nice item of clothing.”

Robyn is a strong advocate for helping vulnerable women; she doesn’t judge their circumstances or where they come from. “It’s about empowering women because there is so much for them to feel good about themselves.”

And as for her own job, “I love it, I have the best job, it is very satisfying.”

Donate your quality clothes

Dress for Success Auckland offers its service to women for free; as a charitable organisation, it relies on donations and funding.

Robyn says our women deserve the best, so whatever you donate has to pass the test of “would I wear this myself?” That means clean and in good condition.



DFSA takes work-appropriate attire in any size, including jackets, skirts, dresses, pants, quality jeans for casual Fridays, handbags, shoes and make-up.

DFSA holds seven community sales a year across Auckland that give clients and their communities access to good quality clothing at affordable prices. Items are $5 each and the sales are not to be missed.

Follow DFSA on Facebook to find out dates and locations. As well as helping to fund DFSA, it’s a sustainable way to buy clothes.

Corporates can volunteer to support DFSA sale set-up days. Contact

Robyn on business@dfsa.org.nz. This is a great fun team activity, plus you get to shop at the end!

To learn more about DFSA or to donate visit auckland.dressforsuccess.org