Prepared for the job

Mini umbrella
Why you need it The TV weather people always fail to mention 5pm rainstorms in the forecasts, so stay prepared by keeping a small umbrella on hand—just remember to bring it back to work with you the next morning.

Lint brush
Why you need it Your cat is adorable. Her fur is not. And even though you don’t notice it all over your suit, everyone else will.

Toothbrush
Why you need it Whether you need to freshen up after lunch or before hitting up an after-work event, an extra toothbrush and toothpaste makes a world of difference.

Double stick tape
Why you need it Stop stepping on the errant hem and give it a quick fix with sturdy double-sided tape.

Stain remover
Why you need it Spaghetti and meatballs for lunch sounded like a great idea…until you got tomato sauce on your shirt. Quick stain removers such as Tide to Go offer a fast solution.

Shoes
Why you need them Breaking a heel automatically puts your shoes out of commission, so keep a spare pair of flats as a backup.

Pants
Why you need them You take the El to work and haven’t sat in some questionable goo? Consider yourself lucky. Everyone else knows exactly why having a spare pair of trousers is vital.

Deodorant
Why you need it We’ve all been there. You can’t remember if you put on deodorant this morning. Instead of checking your armpits throughout the day, just (re)apply with your spare bar.

Clear nail polish
Why you need it Got a run in your stocking? Apply cheap drugstore nail polish to stop the snag from spreading—you should be fine for the rest of the day.

Anti-static spray
Why you need it Staticky clothes are just as annoying as that coworker who never stops talking about her cats. At least this spray solves one of those annoyances.

Safety pins/sewing kit
Why you need them These little suckers are perfect for fashion emergencies that seem unfixable (think broken bra strap or missing button).

Tights
Why you need them More than a run in your stocking? Put the nail polish down and start over with a new pair.

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