Outfits That Empower: How Smart Works Scotland Is Transforming Women’s Futures
- Erin-Louise
- Oct 3, 2025
- 4 min read
Helping women step into interviews—and life—with style, confidence, and self-belief.
By Erin Louise
3 Oct 2025
Unemployment rates for women in Scotland are still high, and we’ve all felt the frustration of endlessly scrolling through job listings, tweaking CVs, and sending applications—only to feel like nothing’s coming through. Now imagine getting called for an interview and opening your wardrobe… and nothing makes you feel confident, capable, or ready to show up as your best self. It’s not vanity—it’s empowerment.
For over eleven years, Smart Works Scotland has offered one-to-one interview coaching and bespoke styling, helping women from job centres, refuges, prisons, homeless shelters, and more walk into interviews feeling ready to slay. Last year alone, over 1,500 women in Scotland experienced this boost: 97% felt confident in their outfit, 95% felt prepared for interview questions, and 67% landed a job within a month.
Real transformation looks like this: a woman stepping into a room, head held high, feeling seen, capable, and ready to own her career—and life. And we spoke to the people responsible for that.
Q&A with Kathryn
Events and Communications Manager at Smart Works Scotland
Why do you believe clothing and styling play such a vital role in preparing women for job interviews?
Clothing and styling is one of the key ingredients to confidence. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, you present yourself differently, you stand taller, speak more confidently, and make a lasting impression. When a woman steps into a job interview, she’s not just presenting her CV, she’s presenting herself. The right outfit can help her feel confident, capable, and worthy of the opportunity in front of her. That shift in mindset, from self-doubt to self-belief, is transformative. At Smart Works Scotland, we provide free high-quality, professional clothing that helps women to feel their best. Our service is so deceptively simple yet makes the biggest difference to so many women across Scotland.
Could you share a success story that has stuck with you — someone whose life was changed through Smart Works Scotland?
One woman who particularly stands out is Beya, who came to us after a 10-year break from paid work and was lacking confidence and self-belief. Beya was brought up by her dad in a single parent household and, despite being on track to attend university, put her education on hold to care for him when he fell ill. Later, while bringing up her three children she undertook various admin roles but took time out when her eldest became seriously unwell. After spending time as a carer she began an Open University course, gaining a 2:1 honours degree in Public Sociology in 2021. She connected with Smart Works after she graduated. After her Smart Works appointment, Beya not only secured an amazing role, but later returned to tell us how her newfound confidence had transformed her life, and she now helps spread awareness of what we do as a client champion. Commenting on her experience, Beya said: “My appointment at Smart Works was an unforgettable experience. The service was unlike anything I had encountered before, and the way I was treated made me feel valued.”
Stories like Beya’s remind us why we do what we do.
How do you measure the impact beyond just securing jobs, like in confidence, self-belief, and community?
We measure our impact in multiple ways, but one of the most powerful indicators is how our clients feel after their appointment. For example, 97% of our clients report feeling more confident in their new interview outfit. We often see women leave standing taller, smiling more and believing in themselves. That shift in energy is hard to quantify, but impossible to ignore. In our recent Unemployment Index, which reflects conversations with more than 4,900 unemployed women from across the UK, it was highlighted that the top meaning of having a job is a sense of purpose and identity. That’s exactly what we are here for. It’s not just about helping women into work, but about walking alongside them as they rediscover who they are and what they’re capable of.
Do you think there is a shift happening towards secondhand fashion in the workplace?
At Smart Works Scotland, we’re seeing a positive shift towards second-hand fashion in the workplace. Second-hand clothing, once perhaps seen as a compromise, is now celebrated as a smart, sustainable, and stylish option. Whilst our wardrobe is full of a lot of brand-new items donated from retailers, we also have a lot of high-quality preloved pieces kindly donated from our amazing community of supporters. Our dressing volunteers support clients in curating a professional wardrobe that’s a mix of brand new and second-hand clothing, helping them discover pieces that not only look the part but also reflect their individuality. This blend allows clients to see the value in preloved fashion - showing that confidence and professionalism come from how you wear something, not where it comes from.
How can the wider community support Smart Works Scotland — from donations to volunteering?
We’re always looking for passionate supporters. If you’re clearing out your wardrobe, consider donating high-quality workwear or accessories; those items could help another woman feel empowered in her next big step. We also welcome volunteers, especially in styling and coaching roles, and we’re always grateful for fundraising support or corporate partnerships. Throughout the year, we organise various fundraising events, including clothing pop-up shops where you can get a bargain whilst supporting our work. Attending these events is a great way to support us. You can find out what’s on by signing up for our newsletter. Every contribution, big or small, plays a part in helping women across Scotland realise their potential.
Smart Works Scotland proves that confidence isn’t bought—it’s nurtured, one outfit and one conversation at a time. For the women who walk through their doors, it’s not just about a job interview; it’s about reclaiming self-belief, discovering their potential, and stepping into the life they deserve.
And the impact doesn’t stop there. Every donation, every hour of volunteering, every bit of support helps another woman feel that spark of empowerment. Because when we lift women up, we don’t just change careers—we change lives.
Comments