Anonymous wrote:She can get a classic suit with a more contemporary top from Zara. I would match the shoes to the level of style of the top from zara. If she gets a girly top from zara then i would get a more feminine pair of shoes. If she gets a menswear oxford shirt, get a similar pair of loafers. You can really style a nicee auit in a multitude of ways. A classic shell in a nice spring color with a higher heel pump will keep her looking fresh. Check out the pantone spring 2020 colors for inspiration. Jewelry to match and a nice sutle ring.

A manicure and pedicure will keep her confidence up.

A pedicure, really? OP: for the record, open-toed shoes are a huge no-no for interviews. No reason to get a pedicure.

In colors for spring

https://www.pantone.com/color-intelligence/fashion-color-trend-report/fashion-color-trend-report-new-york-spring-summer-2020

She can get a classic suit with a more contemporary top from Zara. I would match the shoes to the level of style of the top from zara. If she gets a girly top from zara then i would get a more feminine pair of shoes. If she gets a menswear oxford shirt, get a similar pair of loafers. You can really style a nicee auit in a multitude of ways. A classic shell in a nice spring color with a higher heel pump will keep her looking fresh. Check out the pantone spring 2020 colors for inspiration. Jewelry to match and a nice sutle ring.

A manicure and pedicure will keep her confidence up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Second the recs above, Theory and Nordstrom would be great (I bought Macy's suits back in the day when I was in my early 20s, but I think their quality has really suffered - it wasn't great to begin with). Ann Taylor might be a bit too mature looking/styled for her age. Banana and J.Crew are both good options, and both have factory lines. As for tailoring, there is only so much you can do to a suit and still have it look good - things like hemming pants are easy, but taking in waists or jackets is really hard and never ended up working for me. Best to buy well fitting pieces off the rack if possible. Womens suit options are sadly far from as good as men's ones, I've realized, after 15 years of wearing suits on a near daily basis.

Oh, if you ever want to buy her a splurge level suit - highly recommend Hugo Boss suits. They are $$$ but cut so well and made from highly quality fabric.

“There’s only so much you can do” is true if cost is the biggest factor or if you’re going to a dry cleaner tailor. A trained full-service tailor can absolutely take in jackets. I’ve had my jackets altered at the bust, back, and hips. All difficult changes (and painfully expensive) but in the right hands the results are great.

Nope, I tried twice at two different $$$ tailors in LA. They came out worse for the wear. Might just be my body type but I won’t be doing that again.

A lot depends on what industry she will be interviewing in. Law is different from education is different from science.

Does she have a woman in her field (a professor or similar) who she can ask about appropriate interview wear?

This is a nice resource: https://corporette.com/shop-page/shopping-guides/guide-to-basic-womens-suiting/

Also, don't forget shoes and a professional bag -- something big enough that she can carry copies of her resume.

Ann Taylor used to make a black suit using the same fabric season after season - I bought a skirt suit in it, then years later got pants to go with the jacket, gained weight and got a larger size skirt (jacket still fit). I’ve had that suit 14 years, it’s a classic cut. Still fits nicely and doesn’t look it’s age at all. If I was in fashion or media it probably would look dated, and now I only have to wear it a few times a year, but it still feels sharp. I prefer it to several others I have that were trendier but now look out of fashion, because they are. It isn’t at all dowdy.

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard for a 22 year old but the suit SHOULD look dowdy unless it’s a fashion industry job or similar.

No one would want to work with her. They wouldn't think she fit in. She would look crazy in 2020 in a dowdy suit.

I would actually look at Zara. They have really nice contemporary suits. You'd be surprised.

Anonymous wrote:Ann Taylor is great for stocky build and they have pettites. Also, the price point is really good - they ALWAYS have sales of 30% off or more so if it’s not on sale ask when their next one will be. But they shld have one for Prez Day.

Good point! They have at least one 40-50% sale a month and sometimes do suit sales specifically. Get on their email list (you can always unsubscribe later) and they’ll probably offer you 50% off within a couple weeks. (Some of their sales are email only.)

Anonymous wrote:I don't think 22 should look dowdy. I got my daughter some decent interview clothes at Zara. Takes some searching in there to find actual suits, but they are pretty contemporary looking and stylish.

This is a good idea if you want a “just for now” suit. H&M too, although I find their suits to be cut pretty slim.

Ann Taylor is great for stocky build and they have pettites. Also, the price point is really good - they ALWAYS have sales of 30% off or more so if it’s not on sale ask when their next one will be. But they shld have one for Prez Day.

Anonymous wrote:Second the recs above, Theory and Nordstrom would be great (I bought Macy's suits back in the day when I was in my early 20s, but I think their quality has really suffered - it wasn't great to begin with). Ann Taylor might be a bit too mature looking/styled for her age. Banana and J.Crew are both good options, and both have factory lines. As for tailoring, there is only so much you can do to a suit and still have it look good - things like hemming pants are easy, but taking in waists or jackets is really hard and never ended up working for me. Best to buy well fitting pieces off the rack if possible. Womens suit options are sadly far from as good as men's ones, I've realized, after 15 years of wearing suits on a near daily basis.

Oh, if you ever want to buy her a splurge level suit - highly recommend Hugo Boss suits. They are $$$ but cut so well and made from highly quality fabric.

“There’s only so much you can do” is true if cost is the biggest factor or if you’re going to a dry cleaner tailor. A trained full-service tailor can absolutely take in jackets. I’ve had my jackets altered at the bust, back, and hips. All difficult changes (and painfully expensive) but in the right hands the results are great.

I don't think 22 should look dowdy. I got my daughter some decent interview clothes at Zara. Takes some searching in there to find actual suits, but they are pretty contemporary looking and stylish.

Aww! My Dad helped me buy my first interview outfit, so I think this is really sweet!

5’4” and under is considered petite, so you’ll want to focus on stores with petite sections, even if she’s stocky. (If she’s very busty or pear shaped, there’s also “misses petites” which is petite proportions in plus sizes.)

I’m also petite, and my favorite places for suits in my 20s were Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Outlet, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic and J. Crew. Friends really liked New York & Company, but their stuff never fit me. I recommend Banana with reservation because I think their price-to-quality ratio is not good, but I’m leaving it on the list because the cut and style of their suits is probably most appropriate for a twentysomething. You might want to try Talbots too.

The thing about women’s suits is that they almost always have to be tailored. Especially for petites! It’s a rare day when I find a suit I can wear right off the rack. The most expensive suit alterations are shoulders and upper back, followed by all-around shortening (for jackets). So try to find something that fits in the shoulders, even if doesn’t work everywhere else, because that’s the best start for alterations. It’s easier for a tailor to make something smaller than bigger, so keep that in mind too.

Some stores offer free or inexpensive simple alterations, like shortening sleeves or hemming skirts and pants. Saks and Nordstrom come to mind. Brooks Brothers does (and they have true master tailors in house) but alterations there are only free for things purchased at full price. Banana and J.Crew offer some discounted alterations, but I think you have to have their store credit card. And of course you can always go to an independent tailor.

Give some thought to how your daughter takes care of her clothes and how much her figure has changed in the last couple of years. It’s a wonderful thing for a parent to buy a first suit that will last for years, but only aim for that if it seems likely she’ll be able to keep it around that long. It’s perfectly fine for a young entry-level woman to interview in a less expensive suit too.

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard for a 22 year old but the suit SHOULD look dowdy unless it’s a fashion industry job or similar.

Bad advice