Seoul jobseekers save money on suiting up with city-funded rental service
Business attire is displayed on mannequins along with hundreds of suits on racks at a suit rental store in Mapo District, Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun
“If you are interviewing for a job as a member of an airline ground crew, a normal black suit would be suitable.”
Around 10:30 a.m., Monday, Kim Ye-ji, manager of a suit rental service near Hongik University Station on Seoul Metro Line 2, the Airport Railroad and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, assisted a customer in choosing the perfect outfit for a job interview. She recommended suits and sizes based on the customer’s body type.
It took only 15 minutes for the customer to try on and rent a suit.
The suit rental service, initiated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2016, aims to alleviate the financial strain on young jobseekers by offering free suit rentals for interviews.
This service is available to anyone residing in Seoul, from high school graduates up to age 39. Customers can rent clothes, including ties, belts and shoes, for four days, up to 10 times a year.
In a bid to increase accessibility, the city government opened three new branches in Cheonho-dong, Yeongdeungpo District and Nowon District last year and is planning to open another in Jongno District this year, expanding to a total of 14 branches in operation.
This initiative has proven immensely satisfying for young people, with 98.6 percent of users expressing contentment with the service in a survey conducted by the city government.
“Being able to rent a suit for free is the biggest advantage in my opinion,” said Seo Yu-jin, an IT industry job applicant, who has used the rental service three times.
Since suits are typically only for interviews and not otherwise worn frequently by young people, Seo emphasized it comes as a financial burden to buy one.
A shop assistant helps a customer choose an outfit for a job interview at The Open Closet in Gwangjin District, Seoul. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
The process is streamlined for customers’ convenience, taking less than 30 minutes to try on and rent the chosen attire.
First-time visitors need to provide their ID card to confirm residence in Seoul, allowing them to avail of the free rental service on-site.
Suit rental store employees offer recommendations on suits and accompanying items according to the company or industry that customers are interviewing with, after taking their measurements.
Upon trying on the suggested suits in the dressing room, the stores swiftly undertake alterations to ensure a perfect fit, which only takes a few minutes.
For returning customers, detailed records are maintained, facilitating the use of pickup and delivery services.
“We meticulously record data such as the extent of waist and leg alterations for pants, so that returning customers can receive personalized services with greater efficiency,” Kim said.
At the Hongdae branch and a store near Konkuk University, customers can leave the clothes they came into the store wearing in a locker so they can conveniently walk out of the store wearing their rented suit immediately, which is useful for those who have interviews on the same day that they visit the store.
A shop assistant adjusts shoes displayed on a shelf at a suit rental store in Gangdong District, Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap
Beyond the convenience of free rentals, the availability of a range of clothes, shoes and accessories —including belts and ties — coupled with recommendations based on personal image and company style, contributes to the service's popularity.
“People seem to find contentment not only in renting clothes but also in our personalized recommendations tailored to their image or the specific ambiance of each company,” Kim said.
At the Hongdae branch, all staff members possess certificates for personal color and image making, emphasizing their commitment to refined and personalized service.
Kim So-ryeong, CEO of The Open Closet, a free rental store near Konkuk University Station on Seoul Metro lines 2 and 7, emphasized the store's unwavering focus on staying attuned to evolving trends in job interviews.
In the past, interview attire typically comprised of a white shirt and black pants or skirts. However, recent years have witnessed a notable expansion of dress codes, especially in large companies embracing uniformless or casual business clothing, she noted.
“Our ongoing efforts are geared towards not merely lending out interview clothes but actively styling them to align with contemporary trends,” she said.
In response to the dynamic shifts in interview trends, the store is strategically broadening its reach. It boasts an extensive inventory of approximately 7,000 suits, a remarkable threefold increase from its inaugural year in 2016 when the service was initially introduced.
The usage of this service increased continuously, reaching an all-time high last year, marking 55,114 users. This has increased by nearly 14 times from its initial count of 4,032 users in 2016.
The CEO of the Konkuk University branch highlighted that in contrast to the lack of awareness among young individuals regarding the service, now it is recognized as a welfare initiative with substantial growth in its user base.
In a concerted effort to enhance accessibility, the Konkuk University branch has taken proactive measures by installing an additional specially designed dressing room for people with disabilities. The room is twice the width of a standard change room, providing easy maneuverability for wheelchairs, and has handrails installed.
As part of its commitment to youth employment support projects, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is strategically planning to broaden the scope of services. This includes the expansion of service spaces to ensure increased convenience for a more extensive demographic, aligning with the project's overarching goal of fostering public satisfaction.