At Suited to Succeed's 10th annual Suit-A-Palooza, the Lyric Opera House's main lobby felt more like a family reunion. Most of the couple of hundred folks there seemed to know one another.

Caprece Jackson-Garrett — who chaired the event with Juliana Wood — explained that at least 60 percent of the guests had attended the event every year.

"That just shows the consistency and quality of the organization," she said. Suited to Succeed collected and distributed professional clothes to 1,400 women in the last year, according to executive director Helene Waranch.

As a jazz combo played, party guests caught up with one another, perused the silent auction and browsed the food and drink stations. The event's laid-back vibe belied the passion of the organization's supporters.

"I'm a new volunteer," said board member Denise Buchman. "I've spent 26 years in the business world in Baltimore, and I knew I had to give back, especially to women. This organization should be all over the country. They're helping women to re-face themselves for the corporate and entrepreneurial world."

"Women often lack the confidence they need," added guest Jennifer Goldman, My Virtual COO president.

Women made up most of the party's guest list. Harold Haley explained that he was the only male board member. "I'm the token man," he said with a laugh.

Sloane Brown can be contacted at sloane@sloanebrown.com.