Gently used formal wear available to E-5, below

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. C.J. Hatch
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Through the efforts of Fighter Country Partnership, the Officers Spouses Club and the Airmen's Attic, Luke Air Force Base staff sergeants and below can now get formal wear at the new Cinderella and Prince Charming Closet in the Airmen's Attic.

The new addition to the attic came about because many young Airmen and their spouses didn't have the means to buy formal attire to attend some base events.

"Many base functions such as the Air Force Ball, Annual Awards Ceremony and Airman Leadership School graduations are semiformal or formal events," said Jenn Rothstein, wife of Brig. Gen. Mike Rothstein, 56th Fighter Wing commander. "For our young enlisted spouses, this can create a financial burden for them to buy suitable gowns, dresses or suits in order to attend."

For this purpose Jenn Rothstein began soliciting donations with the help of the Fighter Country Partnership Blue Blazer Squadron to help make a place where spouses could look for formal wear to attend these events.

"The Blue Blazer Squadron is a group of honorary commander alumni who still want to help the base, so we look for opportunities to give back," said Bruce Larson, BBS representative. "Mrs. Rothstein came to Fighter Country Partnership and asked for some help on a project. We saw a great opportunity; we believe in what she wanted to do. To have a way for spouses to attend things like the Air Force Ball and be immersed in the culture of the Air Force was a worthy goal."

Because suits and gowns can be expensive the Blue Blazers reached out to the community to help fill the closet with formal wear items.

"We ended up bringing in 100-plus dresses and gowns," Larson said. "We hope to have this be a continuous thing with more gowns and suits added, and we will continue to fill the closet for Luke Airmen."

The Cinderella and Prince Charming Closet had a grand opening Aug. 23 in plenty of time for people to find something to wear to the Air Force Ball Sept. 14.

"We envisioned a kickoff event timed to support this year's Air Force Ball and hoped for 20 to 40 junior spouses to help feel more comfortable attending," Jenn Rothstein said. "Participants had the opportunity to see and try on clothes. Hopefully they walked out with something to wear to the ball or a similar event."

The Airman's Attic is still in need of gently used or new formal gowns, cocktail dresses, business suits and ties as well as shoes, handbags and accessories to complete an outfit. Donated items can be dropped off 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays in Bldg. 750.