To Sue Farrell, fashion is more than clothing. It’s a tool for change—one that can be used to uplift and mend hearts.
She hatched the idea for Boots to Suits after her late husband, Joe Farrell, passed away. Joe was a nuclear engineer for the Navy; after retiring from the military, he climbed the corporate ladder to become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
With his distinguished background, including an MBA from Harvard, Joe had no problem transitioning into corporate life after the Navy. But many of his fellow servicemen were not so fortunate.
Founding Boots to Suits
Sue contacted several organizations: the Department of Veterans Affairs, McGuire Veterans Hospital, Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Wounded Warriors, and Virginia Transition Assistance Program.“I got all those guys at a conference table and asked them to meet me because I had an idea, and I wanted to see if I could depend on their support,” she said.
Each organization offered to help, and the rest is history. That was in 2014; soon they were dressing 100 to 150 veterans per year. Today, the number has ballooned to 900.
And in total?
“We’ve actually dressed more than 5,300 men and women,” Sue said.
“We Have So Much Fun With Them”
To receive assistance, a veteran visits the Boots to Suits website and fills out an application. After vetting by the Virginia Transition Assistance Program Office, the veteran’s name will be sent to Sue’s assistant who sends out a sizing sheet. Once that is completed, the veteran will visit Richmond for a fitting.
Boots to Suits staff prepare a range of suitable outfits; then when the veteran arrives, the excitement begins.
“We have so much fun with them,” Sue said. “They usually come in their blue jeans and flip-flops and t-shirts, very casual. And they’re not really sure what they’re getting themselves into.”
After trying on the first piece of clothing and coming out of the dressing room, each veteran gets a chance to look at themselves in the mirror. This is when the joy appears—Sue said she always sees an “incredible glow” on the veterans’ faces.
They are given several outfit options, ranging from business casual to formal. Each leaves with at least two full outfits typically including at least two dress shirts, six ties, a pair of Italian shoes, a blazer or sport jacket, and a dress belt or two. Veterans may also receive a suit or two casual business outfits.
“We also have professional stylists that come in,” Sue said.
Although the veterans are often shy when they arrive, they are usually beaming when they leave with bags full of clothes.
“We have very high-end materials that are donated to us,” Sue said. “I have a wonderful donor that donates beautiful Italian imported shoes to me, all new.”
About 75 to 80 percent of inventory comes from donated apparel, and about 25 percent is bought with money from corporate donors.
Such donations allow them to buy clothing for people of unusual sizes; one recent recipient was 6’9 and 350 pounds. He walked out the door the proud new owner of a variety of suits, jackets, slacks, belts, and ties—and even a pair of Italian shoes that would normally cost up to $800.
“He was ecstatically thrilled,” Sue said. “He was like a big bear, and he was so appreciative.”
Boots to Suits does not accept old-fashioned clothing and prefers modern pieces in like-new condition to provide the very best experience to its veterans, who are usually between 35 and 45 years old.
“I only want the best that anybody can donate,” Sue said. “I’m very picky. I don’t put any junk on my vets.”
If clothing doesn’t match Sue’s criteria, it’s donated to another good cause.
Providing such high-end clothes to veterans, most of whom have been in combat groups for most of their careers, is a source of endless joy to Sue and her team of volunteers.
“It’s very humbling. And we all feel very privileged to have the opportunity to work with these incredible patriots,” she said.
Sue is especially touched when she works with those who have been wounded in combat.
“Every time they come out of that dressing room and see themselves in the mirror, it’s just a wonderful glow that we see,” she told the Epoch Times. “And that’s what gives us the greatest reward.”
