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You only get one chance at a first impression, in fact, according to research you only have a tenth of a second. Well for some, this tenth of a second could be the difference between a new job or a life of poverty - that's where Sharp Dressed Man comes in.
The non-profit organization was founded in Baltimore in 2011, as a partnership between the Baltimore Fashion Alliance and the Living Classrooms Foundation, by Christopher Schafer and his son Seth. The goal of the group is to support men re-entering the workforce from prison or rehab. Schafer is a custom tailor in downtown Baltimore, who designs suits with a starting price tag of $3,000. The idea for 'Sharp Dressed Man' came to Schafer when he was looking for a way to dispose of his high-end suits his clients were no longer in need of. During the week he collects donations from clients and locals and then on Wednesday's men can come in for a free suit fitting, haircut, and hot meal before their job interviews.
As someone who battled with addiction himself, he knows the importance of receiving a second chance to make a new impression. "I really think that the biggest thing, though, is a guy who gets treated with respect. And some of these guys have not been. They have not treated themselves with respect, nor have been treated with respect," he told PBS.
Over the years Sharp Dressed Man has established connections with dozens of job agencies, instituted a referral process, and is now looking to expand. Unfortunately, in 2016, their building caught on fire. The company has managed to stay in business thanks to donations, however, they soon hope to receive a $25,000 grant from State Farm in order to carry on helping others in need and positively changing lives.
Scroll down below to see some of these Sharp Dressed Man before and after photos!
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#4
Aisha La Gatta Pelirroja 7 years ago
I mean...I don't know...I love that Stormtrooper shirt and I want one for myself. But I also have to admit, that this suit makes him realy classy.
Heather Boardman 5 years ago
Looks more dignified. Stay away from the previous style which should only be worn by 18 year olds
Flowergirl Power 7 years ago
He is standing taller in the suit. People don't realise how important dressing well is good for the ego, how you carry yourself and how you feel about yourself etc.
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April DyAnne 7 years ago
He needs a more taylored suit and something much more edgy to match his tattoos.
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Add New Image
What do you think ?
Jenny Lorenz 5 years ago
I don't think they were having interviews. It was just to see the differences clothing has on an appearance.
Load More Replies...
Mama Panda 7 years ago
I wish they had tailored the suits to each man. So many of them are too big in the shoulders and too long in the sleeves. For the most part tho', they look awesome!
LemonyLickit 5 years ago
Agreed! Some still look sloppy in their ill fitted, un-ironed suits. They do, however, look like they give great hugs. <3
Load More Replies...
irenetheavocado 7 years ago
What this organisation does is very noble but I just wish they didn't have to change their appearance for a job interview.
Layla Brown 7 years ago
It's not about changing their appearance, it's about looking presentable. They look exactly the same, just more presentable for a job interview. Everyone does it, are you telling me you do not dress up and try and look your best during an interview? Are you changing your appearance or making yourself presentable? There is really no issue here, don't create one, this is such a great thing.
Load More Replies...
stellermatt 7 years ago
amazing what a suit can do. always makes you feel smarter. I think if I wore a suit all day for work, the 'thrill' of wearing one would soon fade...
Kahna Wanna 7 years ago
What a Beautiful way to give back humanity. I hope to see you in the future when you expand your program across the country. This is too good to stay local!
Daria B 7 years ago
A blind person will still have preferences, I believe. Clean clothes as opposed to stinky clothes, and soft/natural materials vs. skin drying synthetic fabrics. Well, stuff like that.
Load More Replies... 
Beks Czar 7 years ago
I'm sorry but a lot of these suits are ill fitting on them. I figured they'd get a new suit for themselves but it looks like just reused clothes. So many of them look bigger/fatter in the suit VS their real clothes. They need to be tailored. That's how you get a sharp dressed man.
Russian Otaku 7 years ago
Amazing! They all look like s**t and look like tools on the right. PS always such a shame 99% of people are too dumb as hell to wear collars properly as they were meant to be
Ruth Beaty 7 years ago
Confidence and a good suit, best thing for a man looking to make his mark.
Ethan Daniel Harley 7 years ago
They all look incredibly handsome in both photos. Toots to the people helping them, I'm sure it changed their confidence. You can really see them shine with confidence and pride in the second photos. Cheers to you!
frederic eeckman 7 years ago
I honestly like a lot of them before because they look more relaxed...
Patricia Ross 7 years ago
Maybe it's just me, but for the most part they all look fine either way.
Best CDS coaching in Dehradun 7 years ago
thanks for this post sir i really like your work. SSC CGL Coaching in Dehradun Who Will Win Today
Luca Giordano 7 years ago
Great advertisement for "thinking twice (and trice) before getting that tattoo"
Tuesdays Child 7 years ago
OK, I get that getting a job may require more formal clothing. Yet I prefer the men in their casual clothes. They look more like nice guys than stuffed shirts. My husband has one suit for both marrying and burying. He looks fantastic, yet I know how much he dislikes wearing it. He's respectful on those occasions and he can't wait to get home and put on more comfortalbe clothes.
Coco 7 years ago
It is pathetic to keep seeing these kind of posts which glorify the appearance instead of the real people's skills and soul. I don't give a shite about how a person is dressed. I just care about who is him/her.
Danielle 7 years ago
Coco, I 100% agree with your sentiment and judgements should absolutely be reserved for the merit of an individual as opposed to their appearance. However, that's not how the world works and especially not the work force world. It's wrong that society stigmatizes and penalizes these men long after they've paid their debts to society but unfortunately that's how it is. Sharp Dressed Man is doing everything in it's power to help these men get back on their feet.
Load More Replies...
Dzintra Kalnina 7 years ago
Total b...t. I perceive no difference between the images. Must be lacking the social programming 😁
Wim Cossement 7 years ago
What's with all the blacks and their scruffy beard. :-) Like Lebron James or what's that basket ballers name?
Chyppa Homer 7 years ago
All the same really. On the left: personality and self expression. On the right: brick in the wall
PBMc 7 years ago
The only thing clothing changes is your clothing. Put a fancy, new cover on a book and it's still the same book. There is proper clothing for certain situations and there are times a suit is called for but you are the same person whether you're wearing a suit or jeans and a t-shirt.
Danielle 7 years ago
If you read the intro paragraph you'd know that these are men who need help re-entering the work force after prison or rehab. That's a hard enough task on its own, especially if you aren't able to "look the part". No one is saying these guys need to change who they are or that they need to wear suits all the time, they're being dressed for job interviews.
Load More Replies...
Vonskippy 7 years ago
Sad that such an old fashion anachronism is still around and influencing decision makers. What type of jobs were they applying for? And why does a suit or tie matter? Unless you're hiring them to be models then what difference does it make what they're wearing? Are you hiring them for their looks or their skills? Nothing wrong with dressing up on special occasions, but interviewing for a job isn't one of them.
Jenny Lorenz 5 years ago
I don't think they were having interviews. It was just to see the differences clothing has on an appearance.
Load More Replies... Mama Panda 7 years ago
I wish they had tailored the suits to each man. So many of them are too big in the shoulders and too long in the sleeves. For the most part tho', they look awesome!
LemonyLickit 5 years ago
Agreed! Some still look sloppy in their ill fitted, un-ironed suits. They do, however, look like they give great hugs. <3
Load More Replies... irenetheavocado 7 years ago
What this organisation does is very noble but I just wish they didn't have to change their appearance for a job interview.
Layla Brown 7 years ago
It's not about changing their appearance, it's about looking presentable. They look exactly the same, just more presentable for a job interview. Everyone does it, are you telling me you do not dress up and try and look your best during an interview? Are you changing your appearance or making yourself presentable? There is really no issue here, don't create one, this is such a great thing.
Load More Replies... stellermatt 7 years ago
amazing what a suit can do. always makes you feel smarter. I think if I wore a suit all day for work, the 'thrill' of wearing one would soon fade...
Kahna Wanna 7 years ago
What a Beautiful way to give back humanity. I hope to see you in the future when you expand your program across the country. This is too good to stay local!
Daria B 7 years ago
A blind person will still have preferences, I believe. Clean clothes as opposed to stinky clothes, and soft/natural materials vs. skin drying synthetic fabrics. Well, stuff like that.
Load More Replies... Beks Czar 7 years ago
I'm sorry but a lot of these suits are ill fitting on them. I figured they'd get a new suit for themselves but it looks like just reused clothes. So many of them look bigger/fatter in the suit VS their real clothes. They need to be tailored. That's how you get a sharp dressed man.
Russian Otaku 7 years ago
Amazing! They all look like s**t and look like tools on the right. PS always such a shame 99% of people are too dumb as hell to wear collars properly as they were meant to be
Ruth Beaty 7 years ago
Confidence and a good suit, best thing for a man looking to make his mark.
Ethan Daniel Harley 7 years ago
They all look incredibly handsome in both photos. Toots to the people helping them, I'm sure it changed their confidence. You can really see them shine with confidence and pride in the second photos. Cheers to you!
frederic eeckman 7 years ago
I honestly like a lot of them before because they look more relaxed...
Patricia Ross 7 years ago
Maybe it's just me, but for the most part they all look fine either way.
Best CDS coaching in Dehradun 7 years ago
thanks for this post sir i really like your work. SSC CGL Coaching in Dehradun Who Will Win Today
Luca Giordano 7 years ago
Great advertisement for "thinking twice (and trice) before getting that tattoo"
Tuesdays Child 7 years ago
OK, I get that getting a job may require more formal clothing. Yet I prefer the men in their casual clothes. They look more like nice guys than stuffed shirts. My husband has one suit for both marrying and burying. He looks fantastic, yet I know how much he dislikes wearing it. He's respectful on those occasions and he can't wait to get home and put on more comfortalbe clothes.
Coco 7 years ago
It is pathetic to keep seeing these kind of posts which glorify the appearance instead of the real people's skills and soul. I don't give a shite about how a person is dressed. I just care about who is him/her.
Danielle 7 years ago
Coco, I 100% agree with your sentiment and judgements should absolutely be reserved for the merit of an individual as opposed to their appearance. However, that's not how the world works and especially not the work force world. It's wrong that society stigmatizes and penalizes these men long after they've paid their debts to society but unfortunately that's how it is. Sharp Dressed Man is doing everything in it's power to help these men get back on their feet.
Load More Replies... Dzintra Kalnina 7 years ago
Total b...t. I perceive no difference between the images. Must be lacking the social programming 😁
Wim Cossement 7 years ago
What's with all the blacks and their scruffy beard. :-) Like Lebron James or what's that basket ballers name?
Chyppa Homer 7 years ago
All the same really. On the left: personality and self expression. On the right: brick in the wall
PBMc 7 years ago
The only thing clothing changes is your clothing. Put a fancy, new cover on a book and it's still the same book. There is proper clothing for certain situations and there are times a suit is called for but you are the same person whether you're wearing a suit or jeans and a t-shirt.
Danielle 7 years ago
If you read the intro paragraph you'd know that these are men who need help re-entering the work force after prison or rehab. That's a hard enough task on its own, especially if you aren't able to "look the part". No one is saying these guys need to change who they are or that they need to wear suits all the time, they're being dressed for job interviews.
Load More Replies... Vonskippy 7 years ago
Sad that such an old fashion anachronism is still around and influencing decision makers. What type of jobs were they applying for? And why does a suit or tie matter? Unless you're hiring them to be models then what difference does it make what they're wearing? Are you hiring them for their looks or their skills? Nothing wrong with dressing up on special occasions, but interviewing for a job isn't one of them.
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