Looking to refresh your professional wardrobe? LMU Career and Professional Development (CPD), Loyola Law School Career Development, and Student Employment Services (SES) have teamed up to host Suit-Up at JCPenney in the Westfield Culver City Mall, located at 6000 S. Hannum Ave, Culver City, CA 90230, on Saturday, March 22, from 4-7 p.m.
This event offers exclusive discounts to the LMU community. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and families are invited to take advantage of up to 45 percent off select professional attire — from blazers to belts, shoes to accessories. Bring your LMU OneCard or LLS ID and stop by our LMU registration table outside JCPenney to receive your discount coupon.
- Up to 45 percent off career wear, shoes, and accessories;
- An Extra 30 percent off coupon at check-in with your LMU OneCard;
- Free mini beauty services to complete your look;
- Professional headshots with JCPenney Portraits, starting at $39.99;
- Salon services to help you feel confident and polished.
In the fall, CPD and SES hosted the first-ever Suit-Up event at JCPenney in Culver City. More than 185 students, staff, faculty, and alumni came out for the afternoon to upgrade their professional wardrobes. The event was so successful in its first run that the team partnered with JCPenney this spring to offer a Suit-Up event again. For Dannay McDaniels ’25, a business management and leadership major from Pomona, the fall Suit-Up event offered an opportunity to give back to the LMU community and is crucial to helping students build a professional wardrobe. As a student, McDaniels used her styling insights to help those looking to develop their professional wardrobes during the event, offering selections and tips on the fit.
“This event is truly invaluable because it teaches students the importance of appearance in the business world, all while being budget-friendly,” said McDaniels. “When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the attentive staff assisting students, which allowed me to focus on just a few individuals and highlight even more of JCPenney’s stylish offerings. Seeing everyone leave feeling more confident and ready to take on the professional world was inspiring. A well-tailored wardrobe makes a strong first impression and conveys confidence and professionalism, helping to establish credibility and respect in business environments.”
Collaborations like this are crucial to the experience for students at LMU. “This collaboration was incredibly valuable, and it allowed LMU students to connect with the professional world in a practical and meaningful way,” said McDaniels. “These partnerships provide access to resources, networks, and real-world opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. This event at JCPenney, especially, allowed students to build professional wardrobes at affordable prices while also learning about fit, style, and the importance of presentation in business settings. Such experiences prepare us for life beyond the classroom and help us transition smoothly into our careers. Partnerships like this bridge the gap between academic life and the professional world, making them essential to student development.”
CPD also offers Mane Apparel a professional career closet and invites the LMU community to bring in one or (a few) items of professional attire you no longer wear, enjoy, or need. Mane Apparel is a student-run, on-campus program that provides students with appropriate attire for career fairs, interviews, networking, and professional portraits. Inventory includes suits, blazers, skirts, button-down shirts, and more. The only cost to students is a cleaning fee after use. The following items are needed:
- Clean, gently used or new clothing and other professional accessories are requested for men and women, all sizes;
- Two-piece suits;
- Jackets and blazers;
- Blouses and dress shirts;
- Dress pants and skirts;
- Ties, belts, and accessories;
- Briefcases and portfolios;
- Clothes should be cleaned appropriately and on hangers;
- Clothes should be of excellent quality and purchased within the last five years/current with fashion.
