Tucked inside the Center for Intercultural Engagement (CIE) at the University of Delaware, the Clothing Coop is transforming the way UD supports student success and personal expression. More than a closet of free clothes, the Clothing Coop is a campus resource that offers practical assistance, inclusive support and a model for sustainability in action.

Closet with a cause

Article by Marina Jones Photos by Evan Krape May 02, 2025

UD’s Clothing Coop combines style, support and sustainability

The service is led by Eric Aquino, a senior honors student majoring in kinesiology with a minor in game studies, who manages the day-to-day operations, and Taurence Chisholm, Jr., interim assistant director of Student Diversity and Inclusion (SDI). Together, they’ve cultivated a welcoming space that meets students where they are — whether they’re preparing for a job interview, attending a conference or simply in need of essential clothing.

“I really like the idea of people being able to express themselves and be able to find something that reflects how they want to show themselves — especially a student who's experimenting with their own dressing and style,” Chisholm said

Originally launched as “Blue Hen Blazers,” the initiative began with a focus on providing professional attire. Over time, and with student leadership like Aquino’s, the program was rebranded as the Clothing Coop.

The Clothing Coop is designed to feel like a cross between a boutique and a thrift shop. There’s no cost and no requirement to return items.

Aquino, who has been involved since his first year on campus, explained the rebranding process as a response to evolving needs. The team realized that students needed more than just suits. The Clothing Coop now includes a variety of items such as layering pieces, shaping garments and other essentials that promote both comfort and confidence.

Environmental consciousness is also central to the mission. By redistributing clothing that might otherwise go to waste, the Clothing Coop reduces consumption and encourages students to think differently about fashion. It teaches students that secondhand can be stylish, meaningful and environmentally responsible, Aquino said.

The Clothing Coop operates through a simple and student-friendly system. Students fill out a short form online and receive a confirmation email to book a 30-minute appointment. Located in the CIE, the space is designed to feel like a cross between a boutique and a thrift shop. There’s no cost and no requirement to return items. SDI also organizes service days where student organizations on campus volunteer to sort through piles of donations and organize the space.

Demand has steadily grown. In its first semester after the rebrand, more than 200 students made appointments, and the service now averages 10 to 20 visitors per week.

Environmental consciousness is also central to the mission. By redistributing clothing that might otherwise go to waste, the Clothing Coop reduces consumption and encourages students to think differently about fashion.

Clothing comes largely from donations — many from fellow students, faculty, staff and even a dedicated campus custodian. Monetary donations, accepted through the UD giving website, help fund purchases of high-need items such as socks, underwear and specialized essentials.

Aquino said the most rewarding part of his role is the direct impact he sees on students' lives. He works closely with underclassmen to ensure that knowledge about the Clothing Coop and its resources continues to spread.

For Chisholm, the Clothing Coop is an example of how universities can be more responsive to the needs of their communities. Spaces like the Clothing Coop build cultures of care, mutual support and sustainability, he said.

As the Clothing Coop continues to evolve, its vision remains clear: empower students to feel confident in who they are, support them through every phase of their academic journey, and model what community care can look like — one outfit at a time.

Anyone interested in donating items to the Clothing Coop can drop off clothes anytime from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to the CIE, Suite 261 on the second floor of Perkins Student Center. To learn more about supporting the Clothing Coop through philanthropic gifts, please contact Tracy Smith at smitht@udel.edu.