Where to you buy suits for women-Single father that is clueless
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Anonymous
Not in 2026. Hardly anyone is wearing suits anyway and it’s doubtful they would even know what a “cheap” suit looks like if it fit well. Even lawyers that have to wear suits are buying from basic stores like Jcrew. No one is expecting the intern to be wearing a high end suit. In fact, it would probably cause more unkind gossip than if she just wore a normal suit purchased at a Macy’s, Banana Republic, or the like. |
Anonymous
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When I needed my first suit and didn’t have a lot of money I hit the jackpot at the local TJ Maxx. I bought two and wore them frequently to my job in my 20s. That was local, here in the DMV.
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Anonymous
| Ann Taylor |
Anonymous
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You are a kind, caring Dad to even ask.
Something that impressed me was Barnard College’s career office maintained a “ library” of dark pantsuits for students to wear for interviews. I guess Rent the Runway might have something if she were interested. Or she can use that resource once she is hired and needs something for the firm holiday party. Polished shoes, a neat bag, clean nails, and no jangly distracting jewelry are good looks, too. I agree with the matching jacket and pants. When she wears different blouses for successive interviews no one will care or remember. Once she gets the offer, she can invest in a contrasting jacket and maybe charcoal grey pants and mix and match. If a fellow student is her size, it may work to borrow an outfit or accessories. |
Anonymous
| Nordstrom Rack (online or the outlets. great prices for some nice pieces) |
Anonymous
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Kudos dad!!!!!
It used to be that Nordstroms would do free alterations on suits. https://corporette.com/10-stores-that-offer-free-alterations/ Here's a good website for suit suggestions. I would also suggest a smart plain dark skirt or pants with a really nice sweater twinset might go further than a full-on suit. Guess it depends on the company. Maybe a nice tote bag and pleather portfolio as well? |
Anonymous
Oh found a good section on that website about suits https://corporette.com/best-womens-suits/ |
Anonymous
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Is this a summer internship? I’ve worked in very formal environments and interns have a little more leeway with dress code. I would look into buying some separates that she can mix instead of a bunch of suits from a department store. J. Crew or Ann Taylor outlets are good for this.
I would do a navy blue or gray suit, with the jacket and pants (buy 2 of the same pants) and skirt. Sometimes you can also get a sheath dress in the same material. Add one non-suiting blazer (basically the woman’s version of a “sport coat”), and another sheath dress and pair of pants (not navy blue) that can be worn with the non-suit blazer. I’ll assume she has cardigans and basic tops with sleeves that she can wear under her jackets. Get two pairs of dress shoes. That should give her enough to work with for the summer. She might get bored, but she will look appropriate and should have enough clothing that she can cycle things through the cleaner. Buy wool or wool blend, for year-round wear. Pretty soon stores will start putting out spring/summer fabrics, which will be great for summer but are limiting if she has a formal dress code after graduation. Buy boring classic cuts: full length trousers and sleeves, straight or a-line skirts. Get them tailored (at least the pants and sleeves hemmed). Also remember, she will likely be cold in the office, especially in the summer when the AC is blasting. If she doesn’t have a few nice cardigans, I would pick some up. |
Anonymous
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I just want to say I remember my dad taking me shopping for my internship 20 years ago and you are sweet for trying to help her.
I’d recommend Theory outlet if she gets up to the DMV soon or look at Theory suits on Poshmark. If she can take her measurements she could get a great one and they are made in Thailand (usually) where the suiting materials and tailors are amazing. |
Anonymous
+1 for Theory. If you watched The Diplomat, a lot of the office wardrobe was Theory. |
Anonymous
| A few places I haven't seen mentioned yet are: H&M and Zara, but also when you are searching online, you don't need to look for suits specifically, search for pants and blazers and you will find more options. |
Anonymous
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Good job Dad looking out for your daughter. Agree with Ann Taylor and J. Crew, don't sleep on Macy's or other traditional dept stores.
As important as appearances are, I'd also give her a pep talk around punctuality (always), phone use (stay off it at work), and gender politics (these are real for young women, give her a few strategies if things get uncomfortable with an older male colleague). She may already know these things but just a thought. Best of luck to her! |
Anonymous
| If you have a local buy nothing Facebook group, ask there. Someone usually has something in a size that no longer fits them and will give it away. |
Anonymous
100 percent agree with this. J crew is high quality and simple. No frills. |