This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Here's something we haven't talked about in a few years: what clothing do you buy, “just in case”? Readers had an interesting discussion about what to buy in case of a single solitary formal meeting or business casual job interview (this may have to be a new Hunt, although of course I'd suggest checking out our page on the best work dresses). I was particularly intrigued that readers came up with other ideas beyond job interviews — funerals, speaking on a panel or appearing on the news… so let's discuss!
I will note that this is one of the big reasons why I like shopping at stores with great return policies like Nordstrom (open ended) and Zappos (365 days). But I've bought a ton of items from sheath dresses and basic blazers to statement blazers and dresses, and kept the tags on in the event that I'll like them… and returned them without problems if after some time passes I realize I've never worn the clothes and they still have their tags.
Another note: I always remember a college friend finding an amazing ball gown, in her size, at a thrift store for $20 — how could she pass it up? “Where will you wear it?” I asked. “Now I'll have to find an event to go to!” Which added to the fun.
(And of course, my friend Sue wrote all about buying her wedding dress before she'd event met her husband… and I seem to recall buying and keeping 5-10 white party dresses the fall after I got engaged, and keeping them until my rehearsal dinner around Memorial Day the next year…)
Clothing items I've bought “just in case” includes:
- Swimsuits and coverups (both mom-friendly and sexy)
- Sheath dresses
- Blazers
- Heels, flats
- Shapewear, sometimes even “plunge” bras or other things I don't wear normally
- “Date night clothes” (although In Normal Times those get used more regularly)
I think I'm all set for funeral clothes (I love my black clothes!), although I will note that sadly the last time my husband shopped for a suit (for a wedding) we made sure we bought one he could also wear to a funeral.
I had a massive, disastrous hunt two years ago for a wedding-guest-dress that I truly loved, and did NOT one the love I actually wore, so in the back of my head I'm open to the concept of a fancy cocktail dress if I see one and love it. But I think that would more be in the moment rather than a hunt.
Readers, how about you — what clothes do you buy just in case? Do you have certain stores you prefer to purchase from? (And: how does weight gain or loss affect your stash of “just in case” clothes?)
Stock photo via Deposit Photos / nicoletaionescu.
Cat
I think there’s a difference between “stuff you know you’ll use and buy it ahead of time when there’s plenty of selection or sales” and “something you don’t know if you’ll need but if and when you DO need it, you don’t want to have to be hunting.”
I would put swimsuits in the first category, and an outfit that is funeral-appropriate in the second. Like K@t, though, black dresses are a cornerstone of my work wardrobe at any size.
Anon
If I find an interesting blazer that doesn’t look like it’s 1/2 of a suit and is in a shape and colorway that suits me, I snap it up. This has never done me wrong, and I’ve eventually worn all of them here or there.
Anon
You should always have an interview outfit, a funeral outfit and a “fancy” outfit ready to go.
The interview outfit can probably double if you have a fancy work event – I have a navy J Crew suit. It’s the only suit I’ve ever owned so I wear it for interviews, big meetings, and important presentations.
I prefer a non-work dress for funerals but agree that a dark colored sheath dress can be worn in a pinch. I don’t think that funeral attire needs to be black, just dark/understated. I am looking to replace my current funeral dress, but since I have a go-to currently, I’ll wait for the right dress.
I also like to have a few fancy (cocktail or semi formal) dresses on hand – I usually look for something new for weddings, but it’s nice to know I have backups if needed.
My workplace is somewhat casual but I do have a nice non-suit blazer that I can whip out if needed. I also have this great sheath dress that I hardly wear but would consider to be my “power outfit”.
I like keeping accessories simple – I have one clutch I use for fancy events; otherwise I use a black crossbody purse. I have 2 pairs of wedges I wear to all weddings, and 1 pair of heels for work events (workplace is too casual for heels on a regular basis) and then use fun earrings to spice up an outfit.
I also like to plan ahead when I can – I saw a dress I love on sale so bought it to wear to a friends wedding next July. Now I know I don’t have to worry about finding a dress! I’m still on the young side (in my circles) for weddings so am still growing my collection of dresses to wear to weddings.
Unless you’re just starting out, I really think there’s no excuse to not have these items in your closet just in case. It makes last minute events of all kinds (or planned events that have snuck up on you!) so much easier.
Anon
I have black, dark gray, and navy pantsuits for interviews and funerals. I don’t ever wear a dress to a funeral, I utterly refuse. I’m not wobbling around and overturning my ankles at a graveyard when I can slip on some nice block-heeled booties with a pantsuit.
I’ve recently been looking for a “night out” outfit that’s nicer than date separates, but not quite a formal occasion dress. I’ve scrambled a few times to find something for last-minute “sort of formal” events, like a friend’s art show. I ended up ordering the Lulu’s jumpsuit recommended here, hopefully it will be flattering.
Anon
I usually wear boots/flats to funerals where I’ll be at a grave site. Ive also been to several funerals without any grave side portion, or ones where burials are for immediate family only.
HW
This backfired on me at the beginning of the pandemic. I don’t normally wear suits but bought a couple just in case because they were on sale. A year and a half later they still have their tags on!
Anon
After a situation where I had to find a funeral dress at the last minute after an unexpected death, and a situation where I had to rush out and buy an eveningwear outfit when I was unexpectedly directed to attend a black-tie event by a past employer, I now make sure I have a (stylistically current, fits me appropriately) funeral-appropriate dress and an eveningwear outfit in my closet at all times.
Side note: the eveningwear situation was a crazy pain in the butt as I had two hours between work and the start time of the event to find a dress; I hadn’t gone to a black-tie event in years and had nothing appropriate and all of my friends were in the same boat, so no borrowing possible. I ended up with something that worked okay but was so not-my-style I never wore it again. I sold it on eBay so at least got some of the money back.
I swim all the time so swimwear doesn’t fall into this category for me; swimwear is a planned buy for me every spring as I get ready for summer/fall pool season.
Anon
I miss those black tie events. I used to work for a F50 that had them every year for clients, and my responsibilities spanned two major cities so I got to go to both. I had quite the wardrobe of formalwear – I usually went with separates so I could mix and match. My favorite were Tadashi ball gown type skirts (I had various lengths and fullnesses) and then some sort of satin or sheer beaded jacket worn as a blouse. Work but festive.
AZCPA
For advance purchases, I do a calculus based on the likelihood I’ll need something, the cost of acquiring it, and the risks of not having it. I typically browse seasonal sales at my go-to stores anyway, so if I determine I need a just in case item I am looking at the same time as for replacement black sweater, etc.
I think most people’s just in case will be different. If you don’t have or go to a pool, you might not need a swimsuit. I live in a casual area and work in a casual industry so truly don’t need a suit or even blazers. I won’t wear a dress that won’t accommodate a regular bra so don’t worry about that either. But I did buy a parka on megaclearance last winter, since my job’s two main offices are in cold areas, and all three of our preferred future vacation destinations are snowy. And I have a couple “power” dresses that would be suitable for multiple less likely events.
anon
I’m trying to get better about this because it is such a PITA when I don’t have the right thing on hand. But it’s tricky when I might go to 5 weddings in a year, or none. At least that’s a little more predictable. Funerals, on the other hand? You really don’t want to be shopping for that particular event on short notice. I’ve done well by having one warm weather funeral dress and one for cold weather. If I were called for a job interview tomorrow, I’d have enough to choose from based on my current work wardrobe.
Anonymous
This is timely for me. Years ago I rented a floor length gown on RTR to wear to a wedding. I loved it, so when it went on clearance I picked it up (for under $50). It’s just been hanging in my closet for… 5? years. Now I have several black tie events that may or may not go forward because of Covid and I’m really glad that I already have something appropriate. It would be so sad to go to the trouble and expense of finding a gown only for the events to be canceled (again, and at this point not likely rescheduled).
More generally though – this is what “fun” shopping is for. I never get a good deal on something I need. If I need it then in in a rush and have to get something I’m not completely satisfied with and pay full price. If you don’t have an immediate need for something then you can be more choosy and only get things you really love – and will find the opportunity to wear.
Christina
This is timely because I just bought this dress from Bloomingdales and I have no idea when/where to wear it.https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/olive-hill-mixed-floral-tiered-peasant-dress?ID=4003603&FromWishList=%27My%20Wish%20List%27&listType=%27WISH_LIST%27 I love the way it looks on, but I’m a lawyer who works from home and occasionally in a traditional business casual office. Maybe fall date night? Church? Parent’s association for my daughter’s preschool?
In general, I have averaged 3 weddings per year since graduating law school 6 years ago, so I have a tendency to pick up cocktail dresses if I find one I love.
I also stock up on long, open front cardigans; they’re so versatile through pregnancy and postpartum and are a great layer to throw on for a zoom call, chilly office, etc.