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Womens Suits!!

radiantquest

radiantquest

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
2,550
This may belong in the shopping area, but it doesn't seem to get much traffic and I need help soon!

I really should be wearing professional suits to work, but I cant stand them! I own 3 Jones New York suit jackets so I would think they aren't the worst quality. It grabs at my elbows and shoulders and makes me miserable. I spend a lot of time in the car so it really has to fit well to not drive me insane.

I have heard that a proper suit tailored is so comfortable its almost like wearing pajamas

Why cant I find a womens suit shop? My inseam is 36" while my upper body is short so I have a very hard time buying suits. I guess I could try Nordstroms, but with the prices I would pay there I would think I could go to a specialty shop and get it and get it tailored all in one place like the men get to do. Someone told me that I could by womens suits tailored at a bridal shop, but that doesn't seem right.

We have so many professionals on here that surely someone knows where a lady can get a decent suit!!!

I can travel to Baltimore. That's the closet big city that I can get to. Philly is too much of a nightmare to drive in.
 
Where does it grab at your shoulder and elbow... on the inside? Is it too small there, or are you not wearing a traditional dress shirt, or maybe the lining has worn through? Have you taken it to a tailor?

Most of the fashion brands will make something serviceable, like Banana Republic, or J Crew, and then if you can get it tailored to fit, it should work well enough for the price. Or you can try one of the made to measure service, where you get measured by them, pick what you want, then they make it in China or somewhere else overseas. No experience with them, but the lookbook is not too bad: http://www.requisiteclothing.com/custom-clothing-process.php

There are no women's suit shops because they wouldn't make enough money. There are very few women looking to spend 800-1000 on a basic suit.
 
I guess they are too small although they fit properly through the bust and waist but doesn't seem wide enough on the shoulder and bunches something terrible at the elbows while I drive. I usually wear sleeveless shirts underneath so that I don't get overheated. My own body temperature runs high and during a meeting I can start to perspire quickly.

I guess I am just frustrated that there is no Mens Warehouse for women. There are so many suit places for men and nada for women! I saw the website you linked. I wish I could afford one of those suits, but really I was more interested in the $300-$500 range until I am a bit more sucessful. Even the "economy" Tier1 is still $895 for one suit.

I was really hoping that the rest of the female gender knew something I didn't. :((
 
Have you tried Talbots? Have had very good luck with them!

Also, any good seamstress should be able to tailor a suit for you. There is actually a great gal in my hubby's tailor shop that will see women as well, just a thought.

If you have issues with the pants being too short, you could always wear skirts if they fit for your job???

Good luck!
 
If it makes you feel any better, Radiant, I have a horrible time finding suits that fit me well. My hips are wide and my upper body fairly narrow, so the pants are usually very unflattering or the jacket fits in the arms but is too big everywhere else.

The best luck I've had is Ann Taylor. And even then, I had to take the pants and jacket to be taken in. The last suit I bought cost me $65 in alterations, which is a lot, but it really made a difference in how the suit fit. What I like about Ann Taylor also is that the salespeople will usually give you personalized attention and will give you lots of different things to try on.

Department stores are good too - Macy's tends to have lots of options, so that even if you end up not buying anything you start to get a sense for what jacket length, pant style, etc. suits your body type.
 
If it makes you feel any better, Radiant, I have a horrible time finding suits that fit me well. My hips are wide and my upper body fairly narrow, so the pants are usually very unflattering or the jacket fits in the arms but is too big everywhere else.

The best luck I've had is Ann Taylor. And even then, I had to take the pants and jacket to be taken in. The last suit I bought cost me $65 in alterations, which is a lot, but it really made a difference in how the suit fit. What I like about Ann Taylor also is that the salespeople will usually give you personalized attention and will give you lots of different things to try on.

Department stores are good too - Macy's tends to have lots of options, so that even if you end up not buying anything you start to get a sense for what jacket length, pant style, etc. suits your body type.
 
Sounds like you need to go up a size in the jacket because the shoulders are too small, and then have the tailor take in the chest and waist.
 
Yes it seems as though I will have to buy large and long and then tailor away. Thanks for the help thus far.

I know that it is an expense I am going to have to get used to. Is it true that a well tailored suit is that comfortable? I will be one angry suit wearer if I spend all that money and I still hate wearing it!
 
radiantquest|1344378113|3247564 said:
Is it true that a well tailored suit is that comfortable? I will be one angry suit wearer if I spend all that money and I still hate wearing it!
Click to expand...

Huh...no, that hasn't been my experience at all...unfortunately! the only thing that's as comfortable as pajamas are sweatpants! :cheeky:
 
They will never be as comfortable as PGs but you should be able to comfortably raise your arms strait forward (so that would mean it should be somewhat comfy for driving). Why don't you take of the suit jacket for driving, hang it up on a coat hanger and put it on when you get to work?

I seriously need to get a new suit and I am dreading it. Student budget and the available range is horrible (Sweden is tiny and a very casual country, most people don't even own a suit). I also have the issue that my body is unorthodox. Try finding a suit that looks good with a very hourglass figure, short torso but long legs. I need a lot of new things so I will be flying to London because it actually comes out costing the same or less and there is a lot more to choose from.
 
Oomph. I knew it was too good to be true.

I kinda have to wear it all day while I am driving. I am a field rep and its my job to drive and stop at about 10 places a day so its more of a hassle to take it off and put it on all day long. Plus I don't want to look like I'm finishing getting dressed when I pull up to a business.

As usual the universe conspires against me to keep complete happiness just out of reach.

Thanks everyone. At least now I know.
 
Does it have to be a jacket?

When I was interning in a very strict 'business attire' office I wore mostly suit skirts and well fitting button down shirts, stockings, and heels; sometimes a fancy cardigan with a belt or scarf, nice brooch. It was standard for most of the women in the office.

Any room for stepping outside the jacket box?
 
Do you live near a Nordstrom Rack? If don't need black you can find the Lafayette suit pieces (they have them only rarely and they are still expensive but at least they are reduced at least) there sometimes.

I've got big upper arms got tired of ill fitting suits (I tried them all, Talbots, Banana, Jones, etc.) and finally coughed up the money for a Lafayette wool suit from them (450 for the jacket 200 for the skirt). I wanted black and that meant full price but and I've not regretted the expenditure. I wouldn't say it fits like pajamas (my PJs are Carole Hochman from Nordies and they rock) but it's effortlessly perfect at all times, worry free and just phenomenal quality. And I love the fact that if I ever want the pants I'll know it will match my existing jacket.

Fortunately my current job is casual attire so I didn't need to buy another. But seeing the difference, I can honestly say they are worth the price.
 
Does it have to be suits? What about a skirt or trousers & a non-matching jacket? That would at least give you more choice of fits. Or as Aviastar suggested, cardigan -- there are some nice, more formal ones out there. Even a good shirt & vest would look sharp. It's a shame Loehman's went belly-up; when I first worked at Tiffany's, they mandated suits & I got great deals at Loehman's.

Is there a high-end consignment shop in your area? You might find something there, worth a try. Otherwise, yeah, it's tailor city.

--- Laurie
 
Another place you might want to try is Burlington Coat Factory. I haven't been to that store in a long time because I don't have one near me - so I don't know what brands they carry - but from what I remember it's similar to Loehman's.
 
I also have a short torso and long legs and Banana Republic suits fit me well. I get a regular size in the jacket and get the pants in tall sizes from their website. If you sign up for their email list they constantly send out coupon codes for 30% off 1 or 2 items, which is when I ordered my suits. I only own 2 and I just wear them for job interviews, but they're relatively comfortable. No work clothes will ever be as comfy as PJs, though...unless you get to wear scrubs to work.
 
My two best suits are a grey shadowtripe pantsuit from Banana Republic and a dark blue (weird shiny fabric, not the norm and I don't wear it for conservative things, but it's absolutely the best quality I own) skirtsuit from Ann Taylor. I had both sized down to fit me and yes, they're both extremely comfortable. The pantsuit is my go-to suit for interviews and the like.

I had a doozy of a time finding them though. I think I went to Jones New York, New York & Company, JC Penny, Dillards, Belk, and who knows where else. And Banana Republic and Ann Taylor of course. :)

I'm extraordinarily thin apparently... Most clothing stores assume that if you're as small as I am, there's no way you would be old enough to want a business suit. :nono: So a tailor was an absolute must for me. And I feel like a million bucks in them. I highly recommend a tailor.

Perhaps you could even go in with a jacket that is giving you problems and ask her/him what they'd suggest (the larger jacket with having the torso taken in sounds right, but what do I know? Lol).
 
I love the idea of throwing on some undergarments and my outfit is picked out, looks put together and is easy.

I think there is a Nordstrom in Towson, but I am not sure about a Nord. Rack. Surely though that between the huge mall in Lancaster PA and the huge mall in Towson MD I will find something.

I like the look of a longer pencil skirt and a button up shirt, but unfortunately when I was about 18 I got an orange duck tattooed on my left ankle :nono: so no professional skirts for me.

Again, thanks for all the advice.
 
Hey, another Baltimorean!

Towson Town Center is NOT a place to shop for suits!!! I had to wear them often and most of the stores there do NOT carry them.
The closer you go toward DC the more suits you will find. Also, The Gallery at Harborplace has a Brooks Brothers, Talbots and Ann Taylor and a Banana Republic that ALL carry suits which is where I bought most of mine.

PS Where are your favorite jewelry/gem stores in the area?
 
I personally love Ann Taylor. I love the suit jackets I bought from AT and still wear them even though I bought them 7 years ago.
 
radiantquest|1344450647|3248014 said:
I love the idea of throwing on some undergarments and my outfit is picked out, looks put together and is easy.

I think there is a Nordstrom in Towson, but I am not sure about a Nord. Rack. Surely though that between the huge mall in Lancaster PA and the huge mall in Towson MD I will find something.

I like the look of a longer pencil skirt and a button up shirt, but unfortunately when I was about 18 I got an orange duck tattooed on my left ankle :nono: so no professional skirts for me.

Again, thanks for all the advice.
Click to expand...

Until winter when you can wear super fun tights that keep you warm and cute and tattoo-less!
 
Your on the east coast then?

When I lived on the east coast, I also shopped at Lord and Taylor and a couple of their lines were pretty good. I don't recall the names now. Of course their service isn't as good as Nordstroms, but it's all relative. I'll see if I can find out what the lines were from their website for you.

Incidentally, they do cost a lot more but wool suits are MUCH MUCH better than any others. Especially if you can get them with a little bit of stretch in the fabric (less tailoring and better fit).

For cheap suits (which I don't recommend at all) on the east coast try SYMS.

ETA: Nevermind, the only line they have worth buying is Lafayette as well, but not the nice stuff by that Nordstroms has of theirs. The rest of their lines are just Calvin Klien, Tahari and Ann Klein-- none of which are good enough quality, IMO. It's been 7 years since I've shopped there, apparently their quality has slipped.

ETAA: http://www.theory.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-theory_US-Site/default/Home-Show?mkwid=sJuv17RzY&pcrid=13517926747&gclid=CJjps7-b3LECFeVnQgod7yQA_g My Theory Pants never quit. And the Jackets rock in terms of cut. Expensive, but modern cuts, and great quality.
 
radiantquest|1344377570|3247556 said:
I guess I am just frustrated that there is no Mens Warehouse for women.
Click to expand...

Funny you say that, because I asked about that very thing once when my hub was getting fitted for a suit at MW.

They said they couldn't translate it to women's suits becuase the styles/fashioned changed a lot more in women's clothing versus men's. I was kinda shocked at that myself because I cannot imagine a simple women's suit being so far off classic that it couldn't be worn multiple years to extract value, but who knows.
 
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