Balancing everyday vs. "special occasion" clothing
I'm rebuilding my wardrobe after losing a lot of weight, and realizing that I have focused a lot on fun, dressier clothing for special occasions, and my "everyday" clothes are fairly boring and limited.
How do y'all balance between the two, in terms of effort, number of pieces, budget, etc?
I seem to have a deep-seated assumption that it's more acceptable to spend money on special, dressy clothes that you wear rarely. For example, about 5 years ago, I spent probably $1500 on a formal outfit (suit, shoes, 2 dress shirts, ties, etc.) that I've probably worn fewer than 10 times (and now doesn't fit me). But the idea of spending $300 on a casual shirt that I could wear regularly seems irresponsible and extravagant.
I'm starting to think I've got things backwards. What are your thoughts?
13 Replies
I do not spend on formal wear like that at all. I think it is far more worth it to spend on clothes you will actually wear regularly.
as a software engineer we can wear anything almost all the time
I feel like this is incredibly personal because it depends on your lifestyle/job/hobbies etc.
Like, my office dress code is near enough non-existent but I have to wear suits often enough to have a few, and I go to enough black tie things that I own a tux. But I spent fairly minimally on these.
On the other hand, a lot of my casual clothes are frivolous and silly. Partly because I don't need to consider a dress code in the office, and my formal wear hasn't needed to be changed in a good few years - I've been able to just buy what I want to wear on a day to day basis and not compartmentalise my wardrobe too much.
I set a monthly budget, put that aside and use it to buy clothes as and when things take my fancy. I have basics/foundational items of course, and things will need replacing (I buy a new white dress shirt every year near enough and cycle out an old one, similarly white t-shirts).
For the most part, the only time I really need to be dressy are evening social events for my wife's work a few times a year. Blazer/chinos/loafers would be totally fine, but a suit would not be out of place. But I've really been enjoying getting dressed up to go out for dinner, and having more fun than I would for a work event.
yeah my perspective is of one where I have not needed a suit since college. I don’t go to black tie events and formal events like weddings and such I prefer to wear more creative outfits anyway.
If it brings you joy that's cool!
Sound of this makes me think you should invest more in your daily pieces! And there can be cross over too by the sounds of it, some nice leather shoes could go casual or formal
Nice blazers and wool trousers can get close to a suit in terms of 'formality', and might scratch the "dressed up" going out for dinner itch, whilst still being 'casual' and mix and match enough for daily wear.
It took me a long time to flip around on this. I had special occasion clothes, sure. But what I realized is I had a couple of kinds of casual clothes: nice and regular and I was always saving the nice stuff for the perfect time as well. After a while I realized I wasn't wearing it enough and I'd rather have fewer regular things, but nicer, and wear them all the time. It's still a push when I'm wfh or just doing things around the house, but I am more comfortable and feel like I'm using more of what I bought. Mid-price items and up that don't get used stare at you in the closet and feel like a waste.
I'm in a similar spot right now (lost weight, rebuilding wardrobe) and made a few mistakes again with everyday vs special (or statement) clothing. I'm trying to recognize the days I hesitate putting anything on, or I don't feel like I have the right do-nothing items for the day. I'm countering some of that with: as long as it's comfortable to me, it also doesn't have to be considered nice to be nice, etc.
Definitely. Want to get some penny loafers.
I would bring up the topic of texture. If you look at suits and sport coats/blazers you can rank them easily on formality by looking at the texture. Color is important too tho, so a finer blazer but in, let's say, bordeaux red is mire casual than a navy one.
So if you want to play with casual and formal you can do it by picking more rough, less finer materials like cordoroy or simply structure-patterns or patters overall.
Yeah, this is a really good point, and one I've already been trying to use.
start with the basics first. the things youll wear the most often and can pair with other clothing most easily.
buy special occasion clothing as those occasions come
i always thought someday i was gonna need lots of formal wear. (if i get a job where its appropriate, maybe, but otherwise no).
in most situations, dressing formal is overkill. and maybe, you get invited to a wedding (or funeral) every so often. but tbh, people wont care if u just wear a cheaper clothes, as long as they fit. theyre too focused on other things to care about your suit.
But the idea of spending $300 on a casual shirt that I could wear regularly seems irresponsible and extravagant.$300 is still a lot for a casual shirt but i totally agree. its a double standard that people feel more comfortable spending $300 on a suit jacket they only wore 4 times
I think with casual wear the barrier to get something decent is quiet a lot lower than for more formal wear.
Formal wear is also a bit more conservative so it tends to have more longevity.
In regards to wear it makes sense to spend the money on items, that don't need to be washed often