Ladies'' suits?

[rockzilla]

Does anyone have any good recommendations for ladies'' suits (skirt or pants)?

I need something that comes in separates as I am two different sizes (think 4/6 on top and closer to an 8 on bottom) and is high quality, lined, etc. but won''t break the bank.

I also want something a bit stylish...I am in business school and will (hopefully) have some marketing interviews in february!

(If anyone watches better off ted, I LOVE the suits Portia de Rossi wears in that show...but alas, I am sure they are designer and big $$$$)

 

[Gleam]

I love Theory suits, they are great. Very modern, slim cuts.

I actually think Banana Republic makes very decent suits given how inexpensive they are.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

hey rockzilla-I'm in B-school too

I second Theory and BR, plus I

Elie Tahari! (I'm going to get one for my next job interview for sure!)

JC Penny also carries a line called Le Suit where I've gotten some beautiful suits too...they are really affordable!

 

[MagsyMay]

I have to wear a lot of suits as a lawyer, and hate buying them since no matter where they come from, they are pricey!

I second the Banana Republic mention. I also like JCrew suits, but those tend to be a little pricier. Tahari is great too and sometimes you can find good deals if you have an outlet mall with a Tahari shop nearby! Also, cheaper yet, sounds odd, but The Limited makes some fairly nice suits as well. I have a couple from there I really like even though prior to that I probably hadn''t been in the store since high school!

 

[VRBeauty]

If you''re near a Brooks Brothers outlet store you might consider checking them out. I was at one today... they have separates made of some scrumptious lightweight wools, at 70% off. They''re not high style by any means, but they are very nice quality and well cut.

 

[sbde]

i highly recommend Club Monaco suits - they come in separates and have superb fit and cut.

 

[Gypsy]

Fit and fabric are key with suits. I can't wear anything by Brooks Brothers, in any size, but love their fabrics. So my recommendation is to go to a few stores and try on suits for fit. I like Ann Taylor's fits on me, but I don't care for the fabrics as most are synthetics and natural fabrics just wear better (and are easier to justify spending $$ for, for me). I'd try to stick to natural fabrics with a little stretch added in for fit. Talbots does a good job on this, and some of their cuts are younger, but most are a bit frumpy, still alterations can go a long way to update some of their styles (raise a hemline a bit, taper a waistline a bit). Banana Republic is hit or miss on the fabrics, but you can get some nice pieces there, and their styles are nice. Jcrew normally has nice style, nice fabrics, and nice fits... but they are pricier. Still they have lovely pieces.

I love Theory as well, BTW.

My best recommendation is to hit Neimans when they have a big sale. You can get some killer stuff there. Off Saks and Neiman's outlets are good too. On the east coast Filene's Basement has some nice finds.

BTW... a nice burgundy pair of pumps and matching bag is a good investment... can be worn with lots of colors.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I love Banana Republic for suits. Ann Taylor also has some nice ones and I like my Anne Klein suits from Macy''s (you can often find them at Marshall''s and TJMax)

 

[radiantquest]

I have seen suits in VS. I do not know the quality, but I know that you can get two different sizes for top and bottom. I have seen them in department stores and I know that usually they are already paired.

 

[elrohwen]

I tend to buy my suits from places like JCrew or Banana Republic. Banana Republic has pants that fit me far better than any other store, so I recently bought a suit from them and I love it! I wear the pants constantly without the jacket, and wear the skirt often too.

So if you want to buy from that type of store, I would pick the one that has pants that fit you the best. I, at least, have more problems with pant fit than anything else.

 

[Liane]

Express - for "younger" styles
Ann Taylor - classy/classic, subtly feminine
Banana Republic - good, versatile standards
J. Crew - same as Banana Republic
Brooks Brothers - more conservative

Victoria''s Secret suits (which I think are Moda International but I''m not 100% sure on this) are pretty shoddy quality-wise in my experience. I would not recommend them. I am also not really a fan of Anne Klein but it might just be that the two suits I have by them are bad apples and not representative of the line''s overall quality. The two I have are no good, though.

 

[D&T]

depends on how your body fits, I actually LOVE Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft''s suits (well they seem to be the only ones that fit me the best

) Also Jcrew works nicely too,.

 

[kama_s]

Definitely recommend Banana Republic. Every now and then they have amazing sales, and I''ve picked up suits for 200-300$. They''re well-made and well-tailored. And like you, I''m a dfferent size on top vs the bottom.

 

[Kiley]

I''m a lawyer so I live in suits. Ann Taylor and LOFT are great for separates. Their styles tend to be cut to flatter a woman''s body. I find that Brooks Brothers'' suits fit like sacks on me, so I wouldn''t recommend them especially since you are slender. I would also recommend Tahari and Calvin Klein suits, which you can get really good deals on at TJ Maxx, Loehmanns, Marshalls and Filene''s. Tahari and Calvin Klein are generally sold in 2-piece sets, but if you are a 4/6 you may find that it will work for you. Good luck!

 

[LabRatPhD]

I also think Theory makes fantastic suits. It is the only brand that does not make me look boxy. If you live near a Theory outlet, you can get some really great deals on suits.

 

[tigian]

Date: 1/18/2010 12:56:52 PM
Author: LabRatPhD
I also think Theory makes fantastic suits. It is the only brand that does not make me look boxy. If you live near a Theory outlet, you can get some really great deals on suits.

Ditto wholeheartedly!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

HOLD THE PHONE!!! There are Theory outlets?!?!?!?!? I have to get out of the city sometimes I am going on line right now to find a Theory outlet!!!

 

[sunnyd]

I like Express and Limited for suits, honestly. I also have a couple by Elie Tahari that I picked up at Nordstrom Rack, so they were VERY affordable.

The only problem there is that they come together, not as separates...unless you switch them out.

Not advocating, just sayin''.

 

[Rachel9]

Date: 1/17/2010 11:14:40 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo

I second Theory and BR, plus I

Elie Tahari! (I''m going to get one for my next job interview for sure!)

I Love Elie Tahari and wait until Elizabeth & James or Kenneth Cole go on sale [stretch] perfect fit.

 

[LabRatPhD]

Date: 1/18/2010 1:17:19 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
HOLD THE PHONE!!! There are Theory outlets?!?!?!?!? I have to get out of the city sometimes I am going on line right now to find a Theory outlet!!!

Yes there are! I am in Austin, TX and there is an outlet in Round Rock. For the most part, the clothing is discounted but not spectacularly so, however the end of season sales are fantastic! The 2 suits I have from there were both under $200. The only issue is finding matching suit separates in your size, which requires a bit of luck.

 

[HVVS]

Kasper ASL is one brand that I like. LeSuit, but that''s already been mentioned. I wish they''d all get off the polyester pants suit kick. Nothing tailors and hangs like wool and wool blends. And I prefer skirt suits to pants unless circumstances force me to wear pants. I sew and tailor. When I had an office job, I made my own suits and separates.

 

[CNOS128]

Date: 1/18/2010 1:17:19 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
HOLD THE PHONE!!! There are Theory outlets?!?!?!?!? I have to get out of the city sometimes I am going on line right now to find a Theory outlet!!!

There''s a Theory outlet at Woodbury Common. It''s hit or miss, but I''ve gotten some nice stuff there.

 

[ts44]

I second (third? fourth?) Ann Taylor suits, they fit well and always accomodate separates (size 2 on top, size 6 on bottom

). Their pants fit me so well I can actually order online and know they will fit me.

 

[Gleam]

Elie Tahari also makes great suits. Similar to Theory but slightly cheaper.

 

[vespergirl]

Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, J. Crew and Tahari.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Okay, I need to plan a field trip to Woodbury Commons!!! Thanks for the tip!

 

[gemgirl]

Jones New York (the platinum collection of black and navy mix and match classic pieces), Ann Klein, Calvin Klein, Tahari, Ann Taylor.

 

[HVVS]

Larry Levine

But if you can afford it, get at least one tailor made.

 

[Circe]

If ye be a busty lass [insert a pirate''s leer here], might I recommend Brooks Brothers? I''m possessed of a traditional hourglass figure, and they''re the ONLY place I''ve ever found that cuts for my shape (and in top-quality fabrics, too!). They''re pricey, but worth it.

 

[kittybean]

Another vote for Ann Taylor. I have suits by Banana Republic, BCBG, Arden B, and Theory, too, but Ann Taylor fits me well consistently. The other brands can be hit-or-miss, depending on the style.

Arden B used to have very cute, fashion-forward-but-not-overly-so suits, but their aesthetic seems to have unfortunately changed; they seldom have anything resembling a suit in their stores these days.