When I studied abroad, I lived with the most lovely, friendly family in the history of time. I loved them to pieces, and am still in touch with them more than 10 years later.
A big part of the study abroad experience is noticing cultural differences, and for me some of the most interesting observations were of the smallest differences, like the way the French grocery shop, or the way “smokers” only refers to those people who smoke a pack a day, not the generally-accepted practice of having one or two cigarettes a day, with or after a meal.
One of the things I noticed was that the French are way less bothered by the idea of wearing the same outfit two days in a row than Americans are. One week, my host mother wore the same (impossibly chic) blouse to work three different times. She bathed in between, and changed out of the blouse when she got home at the end of the day, but she showed no compunction about wearing the same highly distinctive blouse several days in a row. Where Americans, in my experience, go to great lengths to change clothes regularly and are afraid of people thinking they’re dirty or gross, the French seemed totally unconcerned. (And just to head off any jokes: my host mother never smelled bad, and in general I found that whole stereotype about French folks to be overblown, though I’m sure reasonable people might disagree with me.)
I bring this up for a very specific reason. I don’t have to wear a suit to work every day, but I do have to wear a suit on the days that trials start. Yesterday was one of those days, so I wore my favorite dowdy skirt suit, comfortable and fresh from the cleaners, to work in the morning.
When I got to work, I found out that, unbeknownst to me, the trial had been pushed to today. So I was wearing a suit for no reason. Also: heels. Swell! Inter-office communication fail!
So my question is this: how would you feel about wearing the same suit (with a different blouse) two days in a row? I’m not going to tell you what I did- I want to hear your opinions first. So that you can have full information: it’s a classic black skirt suit, nothing too distinctive or memorable, and I’d have changed the blouse I wore underneath. Thoughts?
I am a fiend about feeling “fresh,” (something yet to be explored via therapy) but I think wearing the same suit two days in a row is totally a-okay.
Also? Bummer on wearing heels for a second day.
Totally OK! In my opinion, suits are meant to be worn multiple times, with different blouses or different accessories.
Suits/jeans/slacks/blazers = all okay to wear more than once, even in a row.
I’m a sweater (sexy I know) so I’d have to change blouses.
Chances are no one will notice and if they do, do you really care?
Ask them to pay your dry cleaning bill if they’re that concerned.
I feel funny if I wear the same pair of pants twice in one week, but for a basic black suit? I’d go for it, especially since you changed the blouse underneath.
It depends on the suit, a classic cut and well fitted suit can be dressed up in so many ways. As long as it is clean and you change some accessories I think it is okay.
YES. I noticed that about France too! In fact, I got in trouble with my host family for putting my clothes in the dirty laundry hamper every night. They said it was a waste of water.
I would wear the suit again.
ABSOLUTELY ok! especially with a new blouse.
of course… i lived in france, so they may have rubbed off on me
I would were it again. Maybe change the shoes, as well, if I had a second pair of appropriate heels (dies laughing).
I try not to wear the same pants twice a week, but if I do, I spread it out by a couple of days and forget about it.
But yea, I DO think about it initially. It would be great if it were totally acceptable here to wear clothes a couple of times in a row.
Jeez. I would WEAR it again. Gah.
Uhhh…I only have one suit. I would wear it every day again and again. So I cannot be Judgy McJudgerson over here.
Oh wear it again. I know lots of people who wear suits more than once in the same week, myself included. DIfferent shirt of course but I think you’re good.
I used to travel for my job. I’d only bring 1-2 suits with me, even though I was going to be gone 4-5 days that week. I’d wear different shirts. And to be honest? Most people won’t ever notice. That is, unless your suits are really flashy with details no one could forget.
If it was a purple suit, then you probably might get a few weird looks. But a black suit? I’d imagine most people have more than one and they all look the same. I definitely would have worn it again today.
Not even a question. Wear it. Again. And again. And again. As a woman, you have the luxury of being able to make a plain black suit look totally different based on the blouse/sweater underneath, a scarf, jewelry, other accessories, shoes, hairstyle. I think Marie Claire or one of those girlie magazines does stories like this: 1 suit, 7 days. Also? Do you think men have these issues? Do you think men go: “Gee. I wore the dark gray pinstripe today. Can I wear it tomorrow too?” Do you even notice? PS Kick ass at your trial.
Sorry… I’m not opposed or offended, but I couldn’t do it. Not for cleanliness, sake, just for fear of seeming… no idea… I’d keep the jacket and wear pants instead of a skirt just for variety. If it weren’t back to back days, I’d feel differently about this. You know what’s awesome? As my best friend you can’t make fun of the fact that this answer isn’t grounded in ANY reason at all. (That said, I’m also the girl who made you take me to buy shoes when they lost my bags because there was NO WAY I was walking the streets of Chicago in running shoes. Diva much?)
Yeah, I’d wear it again. But I also mostly live in track pants and baggy t shirts these days, so my concept of fashion is basically nil. You’d be better off asking my four year old daughter.
I only have two nice suits, and I alternated between the two every day of my summer clerkship during my 2L year. I don’t even think changing the blouse is a big deal. I’m pretty sure I’ve worn the exact same outfit two days in a row before simply because I don’t want to be bothered with picking out an outfit some mornings.
I would totally wear the suit again with a different shirt. I wear pants a couple of times before washing them- a suit is no different.
wear the same suit!who’s to say you don’t have several in the same color and cut?
As long as you didn’t sweat in it, it’s fine to wear clothes a second time. Change your underwear and you’re golden. Good luck in trial.
Maybe my two-year-old is secretly French. Every night she asks whether she can wear the same clothes again and I say ‘Of course, after they’ve had a wash.’
But her clothes really do need a wash. I’m sure your black suit didn’t spend an hour in the sandpit, get three or four meals dropped on it and maybe suffered a slight bathroom embarrassment.