Suits

[Anonymous]

Hi. I am taking a new job that requires me to wear a suit most of the time. I only have two suits now-one designer that I bought 5 years ago and still love (theory) and one that I got at ann taylor loft that is ok but not as great. I want to buy ones that I feel good in and that aren't just a good deal, but at the same time, I am trying to be cost conscience. I am on the small size so bulky suits tend to drown on me-the main reason i love the designer suit is that it fits me well and isn't bulky. Any suggestions??

[Anonymous]

Go to Lord and Taylor or Macy's during their fab suit sales - there are so many different styles and options, and because they're on sale you can pay 1/2 to 1/3 of what you'd normally pay. I got a great Calvin Klein suit, Tahari suits, etc. Plus, if you go to a personal shopper at Lord & Taylor (say you need to buy a few suits) then you would get an additional 15-20% off your entire purchase. The Lord and Taylor at both Chevy Chase and Rockville have personal shoppers - and there is no requirement to buy if you don't find what you're looking for.

[Anonymous]

Macy's is having a great suit sale as we speak. I paid $72 for a suit there this morning.

[Anonymous]

I'm small (5'1 and 98 pounds) and got a couple of suits that fit very well and did not overwhelm me at all at JCrew. I waited for the sale so I got pants and jacket for about $150 total.

[Anonymous]

A good tailor can make all the difference, too.

I'd recommend looking for seasonless fabrics, such as tropical wool. I tend to stay away from synthetics beyond a little bit of lycra added to the wool. This might be a bit challenging this time of year.

J. Crew has had some nice suits this year and are worth a look, especially since their pants come in two different fits in each fabric.

At times I've bought nice suits from Benetton and Sisley. Their cuts are leaner, so they might work well for you.

I've heard that Victoria's Secret suits are very passable and a good way to flush out your wardrobe in a hurry on a tight budget. I've never had the courage to buy any of their clothes though b/c they can't be returned to a store, only by mail.

Congrats on the new job!

[Anonymous]

Zara stuff tends to be on the small side, and you could get the suits taken up if needed. Not too expensive and fashionable. I always found Benetton suits to be on the small side too.

[Anonymous]

I like Tahari and have gotten some great deals on Tahari suits at Loehmans.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks! I am going to try JCrew and curious about the victoria secret comment. I have seen their prices and wonder if too good to be true. I found a tahari suit on sale today that was slimming. I am going to look at loehmans for them too.

And thanks for the congrats on the new job..got laid off from my last one two weeks after I got back from maternity leave for my first child a few months ago. This new job is a great victory for me and I think I deserve some new threads for the right price of course. Any suggestions on good heels? I don't want to spend hundreds but want them to be nice simple pumps that are comfortable enough to carry 1yo daughter to daycare etc. My stuff is really outdated!

[Anonymous]

I have a Dana Buchman suit that I love--got it at Nordstrom on clearance. Sometimes you can get lucky there.

[Anonymous]

Second Loehmans in Friendship Heights, they have a lot of suits. And if you are in that area, the Filene's Basement across the street usually has a pretty large suit selection. I'm petite and have had good luck at both places.

For shoes, I like DSW (one at Pentagon City) it is huge and you can just walk up and down the aisles and try on whatever you like without having to wait for someone to go and fetch you the shoes.

Agree that Victoria's Secret has some cute on-line things, but I was annoyed when I ordered some stuff last month and found out the that on-line merchandice cannot be returned in a store -- I am one of those people that never gets around to re-packaging and mailing things back.

[Anonymous]

PP here, meant to say DSW is at Pentagon Row, now Pentagon City.

[Anonymous]

OP here, agree that getting shoes at DSW is nice bec the skips the waiting for help annoying process. I find their selection hit or miss though. I will try it. I bought a navy suit yesterday. What color shoes? I feel like navy heel would be too matchy matchy. Maybe a neutral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, agree that getting shoes at DSW is nice bec the skips the waiting for help annoying process. I find their selection hit or miss though. I will try it. I bought a navy suit yesterday. What color shoes? I feel like navy heel would be too matchy matchy. Maybe a neutral.

Nude shoes with a navy heel look nice.

[Anonymous]

Nude shoes with a navy heel would look awful! And are too "busy" for work. Try nude shoes (with nude heel, of course).

[Anonymous]

Metallic (shimmery, not shiny) shoes. Works with everything.