Our sister shop, Dressed Boutique, is having an End of summer sale!
This week only - Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Extended hours - 10am - 3.00pm each day
Get in early for the best bargains to refresh your wardrobe!
Our Story
Launched on International Women’s Day in March 2022, Dress for Success Palmerston North is a proud franchise of Work Manawatu, an Incorporated Trust registered with Charities NZ.
As part of the international Dress for Success network, we benefit from ongoing mentorship, shared resources, and a collective commitment to advancing women’s futures worldwide.
Today, women’s career paths are more complex than ever and the barriers they face continue to evolve. Across the world, women encounter systems that limit access to training, restrict opportunities for skills development and create persistent obstacles to full-time and secure work.
Dress for Success Palmerston North is working to address these issues and has supported hundreds of women in our community by providing practical advice, encouragement, and high-quality clothing for employment and important life milestones and events.
Our Services
Styling Service
Our personalised styling service empowers clients to step into new opportunities with confidence. During a one‑on‑one appointment, our trained volunteers help clients select clothing that reflects their personality, showcases their strengths, and suits the occasion—whether it’s a job interview, first day of work, or a special event. We focus on creating a warm, supportive experience where every client feels seen, valued, and prepared to put their best foot forward.
Dressed Boutique
Dressed Boutique offers a curated collection of high‑quality, pre‑loved women’s fashion, with all proceeds supporting the work of Dress for Success. Our boutique provides a welcoming, uplifting shopping experience where every purchase helps empower women in our community. From everyday essentials to standout statement pieces, our racks are thoughtfully styled to make sustainable fashion accessible, affordable, and inspiring.
Aroha Bags
Through the generosity of our community, we are able to divert some of our clothing items into special care packages for women going through difficult times. Our Aroha Bags are thoughtfully packaged and designed to bring comfort, dignity, and a sense of support to women in challenging moments. Each bag is filled with essential items and small luxuries—practical, uplifting, and chosen with aroha—to remind every woman that she is valued and not alone. Aroha Bags are available through community organisations that work with women
Our Stylings
Our service provides practical advice, encouragement and high-quality clothing for important life milestones and events, including:
Employment search
Career advancement
Interviews
Starting a new job
rental search
powhiri
graduations
training and work placements
special life events
Every woman that walks through our doors is met with dignity, respect and support that uplifts her journey toward economic mobility and career growth.
Each styling session is one-on-one with a skilled stylist who will talk through your unique needs and from there create a small wardrobe of options for you to try on and consider.
The service is entirely free, and you keep the clothes you take away with you. For our employment clients, if you’re interview is successful and you get the job, you can come back and we’ll provide you with a weeks worth of outfits to get you through your first few weeks at work.
Self-referrals and Agency referrals welcome.
What our clients tell us…
*"The two ladies made me feel so comfortable while styling me in clothes i would never think i would wear, but liked them!!" Krystal
* "Warm, friendly, uplifting - what more could a woman want?" Laura
* "The stylists helped with style, what type of clothing to wear for my body shape and what type of shoes to go with work clothes." Kelly
* "Lovely and warm stylists, lots of stock to choose from." Linda
* "I would really recommend Dress for Success, 100% free and also a great service overall." Lisa
* "Such an amazing space and so good for the community." Trish
* "Not only were the stylist providing an amazing free service, I got to keep the clothes as well" Anne
*"The two ladies made me feel so comfortable while styling me in clothes i would never think i would wear, but liked them!!" Krystal * "Warm, friendly, uplifting - what more could a woman want?" Laura * "The stylists helped with style, what type of clothing to wear for my body shape and what type of shoes to go with work clothes." Kelly * "Lovely and warm stylists, lots of stock to choose from." Linda * "I would really recommend Dress for Success, 100% free and also a great service overall." Lisa * "Such an amazing space and so good for the community." Trish * "Not only were the stylist providing an amazing free service, I got to keep the clothes as well" Anne
Get Involved!
Donate $
Financial donations help keep our services free for every client. Your contribution supports styling appointments, volunteer training, and the day‑to‑day running of our Palmerston North service.
Ways to give:
One‑off donation
Monthly supporter
Sponsor an Aroha Bag
Business or corporate partner
Volunteer
Join our team of passionate volunteers who create welcoming, empowering experiences for our clients. We have roles to suit different skills and availability.
Volunteer opportunities:
Styling clients
Sorting and preparing donated clothing
Supporting the Dressed Boutique
Governance team
Admin, events, or fundraising help
No experience needed for many roles - we’ll provide training and support.
Donate Clothing
Help us provide high‑quality outfits for interviews and work. We’re looking for clothing that’s modern, in excellent condition, and appropriate for the workplace.
What we accept:
Work‑ready clothing (tops, pants, skirts, dresses)
Jackets, and coats
Shoes in excellent condition
Handbags and accessories
New or unopened toiletries for Aroha Bags
How to donate:
Drop off donations at our boutique during opening hours - Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-3 and Saturdays 10-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Every client referred to our service gets a free one-on-one styling, workplace-appropriate clothing, mini coaching session on how to present to an interview and loads of encouragement to ensure they step forward with confidence.
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We support women at various stages - from active job seeking to preparing for future opportunities. If you’ve already secured a job and need clothing to get started, or are just planning a your new career, we can help.
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We help women with clothing for any significant life event, from attending special events, rental job searches, powhiri, starting training. We’re all about empowering women to step forward with confidence.
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Our services are entirely free, you get to take a number of outfits away with you, free of charge, to keep.
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Aroha Bags are only available through community organisations that work with women who are facing challenges in their lives. Talk to your key worker, social worker or navigator to find out if they can access an Aroha Bag for you.
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We welcome self-referrals and also work alongside community partners to make our service as accessible as possible. You can make a booking by filling our our booking form on this website.
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Fill out our booking form and we’ll make contact with you to arrange a time that works for you to come in. Sessions are usually about an hour. If you are a community organisation wanting to refer a client, email us on info@workmanawatu.org.nz
Meet Our Team
Our team at Dress for Success Palmerston North are passionate about the service we provide to women in our community.
Please note…. throughout March, Vogel Street is undergoing an upgrade of the road. Access to Rossmont Shops is from Tremain Avenue into Vogel as far as Tyne Street, or from Tremaine Avenue into Shelly Street at the temporary roundabout and then right into Milton Street that will take you to the carpark next to Dress for Success
Find us here
Our service is based at Rossmont Shopping Centre 57 Vogel Street, Roslyn, Palmerston North.
Contact Us: info@workmanawatu.org.nz
HOURS:
Our styling sessions are by appointment only. You can email us directly at bookings@workmanawatu.org.nz or complete the styling request form on this website.
DRESSED BOUTIQUE HOURS:
Tuesday & Thursday 10-3
Saturdays 10-1
