Oh wow, good work under pressure! Glad you got some items he is so happy with.

My husband and I have fun shopping together. We bought him a new post-ranch, semi-retirement wardrobe in NYC after we sold the cattle ranch last summer. That was fun!

My crazy last-minute, high-stakes stylist shopping story is one I think I’ve told here before. My niece’s wedding was held in London five years ago, and it was my sister’s first time flying overseas, so she could attend the wedding. She had carefully chosen and packed a MOB outfit, as well as outfits for touring around London afterward for a week. And then the airline lost her luggage.

We showed up in London a day later and there was still no sign of her luggage, with only a day to spare before the wedding. She was totally beside herself. I dropped everything else and rushed her to Marks & Spencer. We walked in the door and I approached the first SA I saw, and told her our situation. She immediately said basically, “OK, we’ve got this!” and ushered us to a dressing room. She got a list of my sister’s sizes, needs, and preferences, and proceeded to bring us EVERYTHING! It was amazing. Dressesc shoes, accessories, fascinator! Even pants and tops for the rest of her trip. We found an outfit that my sister liked even better than what she had chosen to bring from home. It was absolutely the most incredible shopping experience I’ve ever had. They made a hugely stressful situation into something fun.

We had a blast at the wedding and sightseeing around London afterward.

And my sister’s luggage showed up at the Atlanta airport a week after she was back home in the states.

@ Janet - I remember when you shared that story, and how absolutely fantastic your sister looked in the photos you shared. A Cinderella experience for sure!

I've told the story of the Armani jacket before. We bought it for him at Nordstrom in January 2020. He'd lost 70 pounds. He was sad to give away his tux, but he'd worn it many times, including at least 6 weddings, in which 3 of them he was the officiator. It was hard to tell. him it was ok to spend the money on the new jacket. The salesman helped him pick out a gorgeous shirt and tie to wear with it.

Then came the pandemic with few occasions to wear it.

We've both gained a few pounds since then, but are working to lose the excess. I think he wore the jacket at his law school class reunion.

He grew up in a family where clothes weren't important. When I first met him he told me his mother always bought his school clothes out of the Sears Catalogue. And he felt sorry for himself. In my family, being well dressed was important, even if it meant we sewed most of our own clothes.

I'm glad you found the right outfit for your husband and I look forward to seeing what you will wear!

@ MsMaven - I sincerely hope you and Mr Maven have opportunities to dress up in the future, so he can don that wonderful suit coat!

For what it is worth your shopping efforts are well worth it...buy these items when the occasion is happy.
not to be a downer...
It is really nice to have well fitting clothing when a funeral comes up. So many other things to be thinking about .I bought a dress shirt for my Dad for my mom's funeral as his shirt had a frayed collar..I am sure he only wore it one time..

Yes, been there, done that---it really can be difficult to dress a man to look like a billion dollars without actually spending them- esp. when he never wants to try on anything in stores---say when you don't exactly need shopping, just to see how new things looks like on him- and then, been rushed by sudden tight timelines.
Happy for solving your DH's wedding guest outfit-looks dapper, indeed. Now, cannot wait to see yours, but from what I can see you wanted (+the lillac trench and the yellow sling) it will turn out smashing!

We went on a cruise recently and DH was trying on all his old suits (he doesn't get rid of anything) and found many too big even though he is basically the same size. I think styles were different 10 or 20 years ago too and suits are a little more fitted now. He did have a more recent suit that fits well (is there anything more handsome than a man in a dapper suit?) and wore that but I think it is time for a closet cleanout. We have large families and the kids are getting married - we have 27 nieces and nephews on his side and 11 on mine - so will get plenty of use out of dress wear.

Glad you found what you were looking for! DH isn't a bad shopper but it is hard when you are looking for something specific.

Thank you for sharing this amazing shopping story. The chosen items look gorgeous.

The wedding sounds like great fun- and happy for the suit success!
Hopefully DHs suit still fits if he needs it again. He's 6'4" so not the easiest person to fit.

It was Angie who taught me to periodically check my special occasion capsule! Would I have something to wear to a wedding or funeral? My wedding attire is just "meh," so I'm following your story carefully!