The Nichols College Institute for Women’s Leadership recently took an inspiring and educational trip to the LOFT store in Millbury, where students experienced a private fashion show designed exclusively for the group. The store’s team curated a runway-style presentation featuring business casual, business professional, and formal clothing options, showing students how versatile, polished, and expressive women’s professional wear can be. While fashion may not always appear to be a priority for busy college students, the reality is that interviews, internships, on-campus jobs, presentations, and networking events arise more often than many expect. For young women preparing to enter the workforce, understanding how to dress with intention and how style can shape confidence is a vital skill.
The LOFT team walked the students through fit, fabric, tailoring, and styling, showing how small details can elevate a look and help women present themselves with confidence. From structured blazers and sleek trousers to comfortable knits and statement accessories, students were able to see firsthand how to build a wardrobe that feels both authentic and workplace ready.
But beyond fashion tips, the experience offered something deeper: a lesson in confidence. For many young women, the transition from college to the professional world can feel intimidating. Learning how to dress for success isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about signaling self-assurance, competence, and readiness. When women feel comfortable and confident in their clothing, it often reflects in the way they communicate, collaborate, and carry themselves. As many women know “When you feel like you look the part, you naturally start acting the part.”
This kind of programming is at the heart of the Institute for Women’s Leadership’s mission. IWL is committed to preparing women for leadership roles, not just academically or professionally, but holistically. Teaching students how to navigate workplace expectations, including dress codes and personal presentation, is part of equipping them with the tools to succeed. Visits like this offer students a space to ask questions, explore their personal style, and understand how professional wardrobes can be built gradually and affordably.
The Institute for Women’s Leadership continues to promote experiences like this because confidence, empowerment, and preparation are foundational to women’s success. This visit to LOFT was one of those moments reminding students that leadership begins long before they enter a boardroom. It begins with how they show up, how they carry themselves, and how they choose to express their potential to the world.
