Why Do We Buy Clothes for Occasions That Rarely Happen?

Introduction

Most wardrobes contain at least one outfit purchased for an occasion that never materialised. A postponed wedding invitation, a casual party that became informal, or a cancelled event. The outfit remains, still tagged, just waiting for an occasion that might never happen. Our Occasion Wear Collection at Gulbhahar is partly a result of this particular trend, and it is reasonable to question ourselves: why do we keep repeating this practice?

Why Do We Buy Outfits for Events That Might Never Take Place?

Because the very act of buying an outfit makes us feel prepared for the event, even before the event is confirmed. There is a certain sense of security in having an outfit ready, a feeling that nothing can surprise you when an invitation arrives.

Is It Actually a Waste to Buy "Just in Case" Outfits?

Not always, provided that the ensemble is versatile enough to be worn in various types of occasions. This is when the mindset moves away from shopping for a particular wedding to something that can appear at a Diwali dinner party, a Bhai Dooj lunch, or some other function without any difficulty. One such versatile purchase would be the Mauve Straight Pakistani Suit. The ankle-length kurta has a gradual blend of purple to olive green on satin silk fabric, complete with a scalloped round neck and intricate zari embroidery. It is festive enough to be worn at an occasion, but subtle enough in terms of colour to not be restricted to one particular occasion.

What Makes an Outfit Worth Buying Even Without a Confirmed Plan?

A costume that can transition through a few different types of days without looking out of place. The Orange Sky Blue Ombre Suit fits the bill perfectly. The long straight kurta goes through shades of orange to sky blue in satin silk, complemented by full sleeves, embroidered cuff bands and a light chiffon dupatta. It would look great at a festive gathering during the day as much as at night time, which is important if you are buying it well ahead of a season rather than on one particular day.

Do We Buy These Outfits for the Event, or for How We Imagine It?

Usually the latter. We imagine ourselves at the event in the outfit well before we know when and where it is going to take place, and it is this imagination that drives us to make the purchase. The Sage Green Long Pakistani Suit is the type of costume that is purchased based on exactly this idea.The beauty of this suit also lies in how easily it can be styled for different occasions. Pair it with delicate jewellery and embellished juttis for a festive gathering, or keep the accessories minimal with pearl earrings and a simple clutch for a daytime celebration. The soft sage green kurta features delicate floral embroidery and thread work, complemented by ivory pants and a matching dupatta. It is meant for events ranging from Diwali and Bhai Dooj to weddings and festive gatherings.

Can a Simple White Suit Count as an "Occasion Rarely Happens" Buy?

Yes, and it is one of the more popular ones, as white suits tend to be purchased on account of the requirement of having "something elegant," as opposed to a confirmed function. This is what the Women Ethnic White Suit embodies. The long straight kurta features detailed zari, thread and sequin embroidery with a heavily embroidered placket, Chinese collar, flared three-quarter sleeves and an organza dupatta with an embroidered border. This suit remains in the wardrobe as the answer to "what do I wear if something comes up?" and for many women, that question tends to come up more often than the function itself.

Why Do Black Outfits End Up in This "Just in Case" Category So Often?

Since black is least likely to clash with the dress code, the season or the time of day, it is the most dependable choice for an undefined occasion. The same concept of versatility is applied in the design of the Women's Black Pakistani Suit. The suit consists of a long straight kurta that is decorated with the same intricate zari, thread and sequin embroidery, complete with a Chinese collar, embroidered placket and organza dupatta. This suit can be worn on different types of occasions such as festive wear, wedding guest dressing and party functions. This is the type of suit that you buy without an occasion in mind.

Is There a Smarter Way to Buy for Occasions That Might Not Happen?

Absolutely! The answer lies in choosing versatility over specificity. Rather than buying for a particular wedding or a particular party, buy a piece that is versatile enough to be worn at festive seasons, family functions and casual parties, regardless of whether there is an occasion or not. This is the true concept of an occasion wear collection.

So Should You Stop Buying for Occasions That Might Not Happen?

This is definitely not what you should be thinking. Instead of ceasing preparation for that “what if” situation, you need to pick items which are worth their keep in the rotation cycle. Here’s what to Buy for Every Celebration at Gulbhahar, where we offer suits that can help you cope regardless of whether or not the event actually takes place.