Sebastian’s Closet 2.0

It’s time to suit up because Sebastian’s Closet is back! The venture allows students to rent clothes for job interviews and any other professional occasion. After almost 3 years of being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is back to continue to help students with career preparation. 

Sebastian’s Closet was started in 2015 by the University of Miami Student Government to help fellow ‘Canes prepare for the professional world. After it closed in 2020, it was then permanently closed in 2021. “I didn't know they took it off until I needed it. I really needed that suit for an interview. And then I come to find out that they had closed.” Said Nicko Rocha, a senior at the University of Miami. Now several years later, the revamped version of Sebastian’s Closet is here.  

The initiative is not only for current undergraduate students on campus, but alumni can use it too. “I didn’t know alumni could use it… I used to rent clothes from there whenever I had anything professional that I needed to attend.” Said Amrutha Chethikattil, University of Miami Alumnus, Class of 2022. 

But you might be wondering, how much revamp did Sebastian’s Closet get since being closed? Well, it is now completely online. Before, Sebastian’s Closet was a literal closet at the Toppel Career Center on campus. That closet is now empty but don’t worry, with its new online model there are hundreds of clothes to choose from. Toppel has partnered with Hyde, an online rental retail company for the revamp of Sebastian’s Closet. “We started partnering with them and then we had this idea to come together to relaunch a rebranded Sebastian's Closet 2.0,” said Carly Smith, Director of Education at the Toppel Career Center. 

From suits to ties, and from dresses to shoes, Sebastian’s Closet x Hyde has it all available to provide a more unique and inclusive experience for all students. Individuals pick their clothes through the Toppel Career Center website, get them shipped straight to their door, and have the clothes for a month. The process from having a physical location to online is different but strives to be more convenient for students. 

There is another significant change as well. It now costs $50 to use the clothes from Sebastian’s Closet. Before its closure, it was free for students to rent and use clothes. “Students can request assistance from the Toppel Career Center for funding,” Smith said. Despite the new price, Toppel and Smith say they are committed to continuing to make Sebastian’s Closet as inclusive as possible. “We are able to and have committed to help the students that cannot pay that $50 price tag,” Smith said. 

Students can go online to www.HireACane.miami.edu and get started today for their future success tomorrow.