What emergency event outfits must one own? - YouLookFab Forum

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What emergency event outfits must one own?

ironkurtin

Veteran

A few years ago I was caught short when my mother in law died and I had nothing to wear to her memorial. Not a happy time to be shopping. Why do I mention this? Because I'm trying to compile a list of fallback outfits for sudden events that require a distinct dress code. Am I missing anything?

- Weddings
- New Year's
- Funerals / memorials
- Job interviews

Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from velvetychocolate

Anonymous

Fancy dinner out/Concert event?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

In addition to the ones you mention (and I have FFBO outfits for both hot and cold seasons in those categories because there's nothing worse than sweating in a black wool suit at a summer funeral), I have a couple of emergency cocktail/gala-appropriate dresses. Once in a while my husband will remember at the last minute that we are supposed to attend some fundraiser or another, and it's awful to show up and something like that feeling underdressed.

In light of some recent threads about vacations and swimwear, I would also add swimsuits to the list for those who don't wear them frequently.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I set my emergency wardrobe up in 'capsules' the way Angie talked about a while ago on her blog. I have:

Daytime (summer, outdoor) wedding capsule
Evening wedding (but not white tie--I have no long gowns)
Writers conference/job interview capsule (a mix of business + business casual, just a few outfits)
Cocktail party capsule
Fancy dinner out/awards ceremony capsule (still need: a clutch)

ETA after Janet's post: Swimsuit/poolside (suit, coverup, beach hat, still need: nice flip flop sandals, beach towel, beach bag).

Some of the items in each of these doubles for other events. For instance, some of my job interview things would be appropriate for a funeral if I switch out the topper to a dark cardigan. Also, fancy dinner and/or cocktail could double for New Year's, etc. That way I don't have a bunch of extra clothes taking up space in my closet waiting for an event, just a few.

Sheila

Veteran

A baptism or confirmation service held in a church...this often catches one by surprise since you might not get much notice of the service. The dress code is certainly happier and more relaxed than a memorial service/funeral, but still a certain amount of modesty should be embraced as some denominations are more conservative about attire than others.

Marlene

Veteran

Yesterday I bought some glittery dress-up shoes for my evening capsule. In the past, I kept waiting until the last moment to dress for events and never found the right shoes. So now I feel more prepared. Its very wise to be prepared for random events rather than waiting until you are running out the door to discover a wardrobe hole.

Thistle

Veteran

Formal Company Event.

Cindy

Try to have a few options for each scenario. When I had two family members pass away within days of each other (one expected, one not) I was glad I had appropriate clothing for multiple visitations and funerals.

Isabel

Veteran

It really depends on your life style. I would have NEVER thought of a formal company event...because I don't work. So Thistle's suggestion surprised me.

The only things that I can think of, at least in my life (which will tell you A LOT about my life ) are a sudden death, an illness, or an emergency far away and you need to get there.

So the funeral is pretty self explanatory.

I have found myself in the hospital unexpectedly and then admitted ( once for me, once for my son ) and it would have been really helpful to have some lounge wear, some sort of wrap to use when you cannot get your arms through sleeves due to IVs, and a nice lightweight robe. I slept in my jeans the two nights I was there with my son.

It is also nice, if you have family somewhere besides where you live, to have a small capsule ( pre planned ) that you can throw in a bag and GO.

I think that you are pretty much covered with a pretty dresses ( I have a wrap dress in grey and black ), a nice pair of pants ( mine are black ), one nice top, a blazer and a nice sweater or cover up of some sort. And then a neutral pair of shoes. FWIW, I have a navy pair of ponte pants that are super versatile and can be lounge wear or dressed up or as heavy leggings when it cold and ponte wears really well.

Diana

Veteran

Here's what I think are the necessities:
LBD (for evening and cocktail events, also black tie weddings)
Non black dressy dress (for daytime weddings, also some cocktail events)
Suit or business separates (for interviews, etc. if black or grey, for funerals too). Can also be worn in a pinch for most evening events, at least here.
Something for funerals (could be the business stuff above)

Plus appropriate shoes, of course.

I have the dresses, and some business separates. I need to refresh my shoes. For funerals, I'm fine for cooler weather but I'm always a bit stumped for hot summer ones. I guess black skirt and shell, plus a cardi or jacket for the cold rooms.

I have business separates, but I'm thinking I want a suit even though I don't need it for work. I'd probably almost exclusively wear it broken up, or mixed and matched, but it seems like a good investment. In some form, a suit would probably be appropriate for all the events we've talked about, especially if it was a dark color. Wear it with a dressy silk blouse for evenings (sans jacket for daytime weddings), as a suit for interviews, with a black shell for funerals, etc.

Isabel

Veteran

Diana, in your line of work, I completely agree that having a suit is probably a necessity. Though it is a casual area of work, there are times when something happens and you need to show up a bit more "business-y".

Lisa

Veteran

This is a great question. I wear jeans to work daily and have gotten caught more than once shopping last minute for a formal business meeting the next day.

Diana

Veteran

I agree, Isabel, plus I think I am going to be on the interview circuit next fall (2014) so I should probably start putting together my businessy capsule at some point soon.

kkards

Veteran

my 1st one is really dependent on the city you live in, sports team gear (ie football/baseball/hockey team shirt). i have lived in 2 cities were this was not needed, and 2 were is was. i hate having to go out last minute for a jersey because we are having a prep rally day at work.
active wear you can wear in to a company outing (this would include a swimsuit if needed)
and i agree that everyone should own a suit or conservative dress, that can work for an interview or funeral, with the proper footwear.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Kkards, too funny you mention the sports jerseys. This is definitely a thing for me. I have a Ravens football jersey (the underappreciated Ed Reed) and several Orioles tees. I did make a last-minute run to a local sporting good store a couple of weeks ago when my husband informed me we were going to the All Star game! I realized my only Os tee was in the wash, and we had two nights to dress for, the Home Run Derby and the All Star Game itself. I was lucky I found two shirts that fit me that I liked, but now I won't be caught without a good Os shirt, even if I go to games two or three nights in a row (which would not be unheard of, since I work a block from the stadium).

rachylou

Veteran

This isn't really an outfit - but I feel I'm always finding myself without a robe when I need one. Like having house guests or when traveling.

These are the formal events that I keep a single dedicated outfit for:

Funerals (black dress, short with sleeves, silk)
Job interviews (navy cotton suit with contrast stitching - I work in hi-tech, so that's why it's not a subdued suit in gabardine)
Party formals (bejeweled cocktail dress)

Weddings I think of as an excuse for a new frock. Hehe. Nothing dedicated there.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is a fantastic question. And the answers already suggest that while there are some universals (the funeral or memorial appropriate attire) there are also going to be differences depending on lifestyle and climate. But wow, some of these are great reminders.

Isabel -- my mother always reminded me to wear nice underwear in case of a car accident. But your post reminds me, my sleepwear/ loungewear capsule is horrific! I would never want to go to the hospital like that. And yet I remember buying my mother pajamas in a rush when she had to be admitted to the hospital for her cancer. OY! You'd think I'd have learned from that!

For me, here are some of the key situations in which I might need a fast fallback:

1. Funeral/ memorial (winter/ summer)
2. Wedding (winter/ summer)
3. Cocktail/ reception/ awards banquet (winter/ summer)
4. Guest appearance (informal or more formal; winter/ summer)
5. Business appropriate workout wear. (Now there's a challenge!)
6. Swimwear (business appropriate and casual)
7. Hospital wear

I don't actually feel the need for a suit to wear to interviews. I can't imagining interviewing for a job that might require one. I DO want to buy a suit, but not for interview purposes. I would wear it for appearances and in other situations.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I like to have one trendy wedding/bar/bat mitzvah outfit for the year. My outfti for the year is the Full On Janelle Monae: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....elle-monae

I don't have the others - though I could probably cobble together a funeral and somewhat creative business casual interview outfit.

These days my New Year's eves consist of getting my kids to bed at 9pm and going to bed soon after them, so I'm not sure if I am qualified to comment on this one...

jennifer

Veteran

As a side mention -for funerals where you are attending the burial ,or weddings held outdoors ,it's a good idea to think about what footwear .In one of the Real Simple books they recomended having a second-best pair of low pumps or dressy flats (well polished) for foul weather funerals,and wedges for weddings/garden party/teas etc. that way your best black pumps don't get wrecked by the mud and gravel around the cemetary,and you don't sink in the turf for outdoor galas.

Vildy

Veteran

Our son has hemophilia and we have spent a lot of time over the years in hospitals. I always keep something I feel confident in for holding my own if needing to argue with doctors. One New Years Eve he vomited some blood and our car was broken. The ambulance drivers pleaded with their home base to take him over the bridge to his regular Children's Hospital. They wouldn't allow it. The ER doctors where we ended up - theoretically a hemophilia treatment center - argued with each other because one of them felt this must be caused by my husband violating him in his throat and the other trying to persuade her that we obviously knew the diagnosis, had the clotting factor with us and it wasn't child abuse. (it was strep throat, bleeding from tonsils, we'd seen it before). So I like to look competent and of the same social class as the docs.

DonnaF

Veteran

Hmmm. I think in terms of my life and where I am in my life cycle, Isabel's post resonated with me the most. It is one thing to attend a memorial service (or three in one weekend as I did a couple of years ago), but another to pack a bag quickly and scramble because a close family member is dying/has died and you have to plan and schedule the funeral and viewing and attend the same for a family friend since you happen to be in that town anyway. Lot of funeral wear and a reminder always to stay on top of the laundry. With illness and death, there's not a lot of time or opportunity to shop. In my experience, other events have more lead time.

Anonymous

Well, since all my friends seem to be in full procreation mode, I am always in need of cute outfits for kid's birthdays and baby showers. Funerals ditto, weddings I always have notice, so no ditto.

Anonymous

@Vildy, what a horrific experience! I hope your son got the treatment he needed and your family left with your dignity still intact. That boggles the mind!

My wardrobe is neutral, conservative and pretty all-purpose. Where I get into a jam each year is with "festive wear" around the winter holidays. Festive wear, by it's very nature, is special occasion clothing. Not the same old things I wear every day. It irks me to wear cheap, scratchy clothing, yet I can't justify spending a lot of money on this category because it seems new items are needed each year. Even if I found the perfect dress, I'd feel the need to buy different shoes, jewelry and clutches to change it up and non of these items would really be able to earn their place as workhorses.

Anonymous

To the lists already posted I might add dresses appropriate for a bridal or baby shower (summer/winter), since one would probably want happy colors rather than darks.

Jeanie

Veteran

Good topic! I have a lot of work to do in this area. I see so many ladies shopping last minute and I do it too and it can be stressful. Should be fun to put some outfits together. Thanks all!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

When I was sick I kept a small packed bag in my closet that I knew my family could grab for me and bring to the hospital and it was the exact stuff I wanted - not really an outfit, perse, but definitely an emergency bag

My dad also has an emergency pack he can grab out of the closet in case they have to evacuate the house (I dunno in case of zombie apocalypse or something).

Marlene

Veteran

*lyn - when I lived in San Diego, after the first evacuation from oncoming wild fire, I decided to have an evacuation bag in place. It was handy the SECOND time we evacuated! So not really out of the question....

Echo

Veteran

I agree with the suggestions so far, but I have to add something to wear for an outdoor, summer event. For example, I received a call with very little notice to attend a county fair. I realize this sounds ridiculous, but I had next to nothing I thought appropriate to wear. I generally wear sundresses, sandals, white or light-coloured pants or shorts, and none of those things seemed like a good idea (no dresses for rides, no light colours for seeing animals and the general dust and dirt, no sandals because it is filthy and dusty on the ground). Workout wear wouldn't do, nor did I want to get my running sneaks all dusty. And a cross-body bag (which I normally do not like on me at all) would have been really helpful!

I suppose this wouldn't be an issue for outdoorsy types, but it brought to light a big hole in my closet.

Elly

Veteran

Interview and funeral wear for two seasons is a big one.

Weddings I feel it doesn't hurt to have something on hand, but they tend to be very individual and have a long lead time.

Work event/professional meeting/gallery opening . . . for me I have to have some more casual and some creative clothes to mix in with my interview capsule. I go to some just because of artist friends, but many of these are work functions or networking for me.

Ethnic community event--- I work with a lot of Native American organizations, and my SO is a tribal government employee. We attend several events a year where I need a certain style of clothing. Sometimes modest and neat jeans and a button down will work, but depending on the level of participation I might need a long skirt, my mocs or cowboy boots, and a shawl.

Dancing-- I generally don't wear anything appropriate for the club, so danceable dress shoes and a breathable sparkly top. Same goes for concerts.

Something to wear to SOs work events and my own holiday parties. Ours are smart casual, but there is always the "how do you make it special/festive" thing. Occasionally he has a dress event but they are always modest and professional so I can wear my black interview skirt, shoes, and a top or button down.

Another huge one for me is trying to keep a variety of gear on hand for the invite i get to do an activity I enjoy but may not have the equipment myself for (horseback riding, kayaking, ect) and making sure I have the appropriate stuff for camping and fishing trips even if I only go a couple times a year.

Archer

Veteran

IK - did you think about a FFB capsule for last minute invitation to a pretty casual party - but where you are wanting to make an impression of some sort? (professional or personal or whatever)

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