Nonprofit · Career & workforce · Economic empowerment

Dress for Success Honolulu

Honolulu, HI · Serving O'ahu, Hawai'i

Serves Women seeking jobs and career advancement on O'ahu, plus high school students who need formal attireWomenRegistered nonprofit

Dress for Success Honolulu, a program of YWCA O'ahu, helps women on O'ahu step into interviews and new jobs with confidence. Its mission is to break down barriers to economic advancement and give women the tools, wages and opportunities everyone deserves.

Clients book an Interview Styling and work one-on-one with a personal stylist to choose professional outfits from the boutique at YWCA Laniakea. After the appointment, an Employment Styling provides up to four more outfits to build a work wardrobe. Career coaching, resume development and continuing guidance come with the clothes, so support does not end when the interview does.

Once a client completes a styling, she is invited to join the Professional Women's Group, which gathers each month for free workshops, a shared meal and connections with peers, mentors and industry experts.

The same boutique also hosts The Bella Project, a YWCA O'ahu program that collects formal dresses and accessories and provides them free of charge to high school students for proms and other milestone events. The project has distributed more than 4,500 dresses since 2009, with students from schools across O'ahu.

Volunteers sort donations, staff the boutique and assist clients, and attend an in-person training before their first shift. Clothing donations are accepted by drop-off at YWCA Laniakea.

Get help

Book a styling through the client intake form on the YWCA O'ahu website, or email dfsh@ywcaoahu.org or call (808) 695-2603.

Services and resources

Get involved

Volunteers (18 and older, at least two hours a week) sign up through the volunteer registration form and attend an in-person training at the boutique; clothing donations are accepted by drop-off at YWCA Laniakea and monetary gifts through the YWCA O'ahu donate page.

Volunteer Donate

Programs and services

Interview Styling
One-on-one time with a personal stylist to select a professional outfit for an interview.
Employment Styling
Up to four additional outfits to build a work wardrobe after a client lands a job.
Career coaching and resume development
Coaching, resume help and ongoing guidance to support long-term success.
Professional Women's Group
A monthly gathering with free workshops, a shared meal and connections with peers, mentors and industry experts.
The Bella Project
Formal dresses and accessories provided free of charge for high school students attending proms and other milestone events.