These are great looks. Thanks for doing this post, Angie. There are a lot of different looks here. Any preferences from you regarding the number of buttons? One vs. three? I suppose a lot of that has to do with body type.

Thanks for appreciating this post, Alecia. I do not expect much excitement for this topic, seeing as few woman wear suits and they are NOT a wardrobe preference by any stretch of the imagination, even though I think that they could be considered a fashion statement. I feel that the suit look is making a comeback, especially if a 90’s revival is in store. At the very least, I hope that this post triggers off a bit of creative thought. Suits can have character and edge. Long live the suit!

Now back to your question, a super suit wearing gal like yourself has loads of options. You look particularly good in a skirt. I’d encourage building up your skirt suit collection (sales are sublime from now until Feb). As for the best type of suit jacket, that depends on many things – body type, fabrication, skirt v.s. pants ensemble and your preferences. We can help you on the forum when you purchase new suits if you like.

Great post Angie! I don’t have a suit that I wear regularly, but I would snatch up the #3 ensemble instantly. I love everything about it. Right now I have a great black and white striped light weight spring skirt suit that I need to get altered. I think I posted a picture of it on the forum several months ago. You’ve encouraged me to get it fixed so that I can wear it this spring!

Excitement! I miss the suit like a lost friend. Wore a black one into Seattle last week and had several comments that I must be going to court. Do only those in law still wear them? I think they are classy, sophisticated, and dignified. PLEASE come back suits….you’ve been missed.

I love a great suit as a go-to floop proof option for the occasions you mentioned, especially when the weather is cold. I would wear any of the suits pictured, but would love to find something like #4 in a flattering red or blue for evening events.

True post! But still would be hard to get back into the swing of it! I love #4 the most!

I remember your pinstripe skirt well Sarah, and you’d look fabulous in suit #3.

Linda, we speak the same suit language. A plain black suit tends to have a strict formal appearance, which is why adding playful elements can make all the difference. I see no reason why you in particular can’t wear fabulous suits more often!

Joy, I’m glad you wear suits and have my thinking in practice. I have no doubt that a lovely elegant lass like yourself pulls them off with style.

RSRP, we might get back into the swing of wearing suits a lot faster than you think. Suits with stretch are really comfortable. I can see suits #1, 3, 4 and 5 fit into my wardrobe instantly. I’m REALLY excited about the prospect of getting a skirt suit.

I like suits on other people but I cannot wear because in order to fit my pear shape (ie, for the suit jacket to fit around my hips), the jacket becomes way too big on top. It’s an alternations nightmare because I am very flat-chested so it’s big in the chest area and too wide in the shoulders. Jackets in general are hard for me.

I love the look – it is so structured and elegant. I could see myself wear something like #5 and maybe #3. I was looking at Club Monaco pinstripe suiting a few weeks ago and was very tempted, but I don’t have any occasion to wear it! Maybe in a couple of years… How long is a suit style supposed to last without looking dated? (assuming I’d get a basic classic style).

Kim from Nebraska, fitting your pretty pear shaped body into a suit is not a problem at all. In fact it’s a pleasure.

All you need to do is find suits that are sold as separates. You’re looking for flat front pants without pockets, but preferably a skirt. I’ve dressed plenty of pretty pears in suits and it can be done if you know where to shop and what to look for.

Oh, thank you for a wonderful post Angie! I love all of those looks, particularly #3, but sadly a suit is too formal for my lifestyle.

I will go on job interviews next year, and I did get a plain Theory pantsuit for that, this one but in black:

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/st.....at14770736

Now I need to go as conservative as possible with th rest of the outfit. What are my options – I was thinking big black laptop tote, black pointy toed pumps and white shirt. Is untucked shirt conservative enough? Due to my long waist no shirts will stay tucked in.

I love the look of a sharp looking suit, but it would not fit into my every day wardrobe. If I were to wear one to work, people would I think was interviewing for another job.

I did buy a suit when I graduated from college to wear for interviews. A sales associate at The Limited was very helpful and got me into a navy blue suit with a skirt. She paired it with a very light purple knit shell and a great scarf that I still wear today.

I haven’t worn the suit in years, but it’s always around in case I need it!

Marianne, you’d look killer in a suit. Wasn’t it you that got stuck a few months ago with “what should I wear to this occasion” and I suggested a suit? You liked the idea – better than a party dress. It’s a good option to have in your closet, much like a LBD. I’d consider scoring one on sale in the New Year. I’ve had my pinstripe suit for 3 years and it still does the trick. I think it’s wise to get a modern or retro looking suit. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but to me, it’s the classic suits that look dated faster. Does that make sense?

Also, once you have a suit, you can mix and match the items with other pieces. I’m so chatty about suits this morning. It must be the snow

And come on ladies, we owe Coco Chanel a lot. She epitomized “the suit” in all its forms. Calvin Klein and Donna Karan copied her! One day, when I’m rich and famous, I hope to own a brand new pukka Chanel skirt suit. (What do we have if we don’t have our dreams).

That’s the suit spirit, Violet.

A beautiful Theory suit, Tanya. The way you’ve described your conservative suit ensemble sounds perfect. I’d add a white cami and keep the shirt un-tucked. When you’re feeling more daring in that particular work setting, I’d add a skinny black belt to the shirt, under the jacket. As for the rest of the suit styles shown, you’d rock them all.

Wow. Never considered myself a suit girl, but that cream boucle has me considering changing my tune.

Yes, Angie, that was me, and I’m still excited about it, and that’s why I was looking at CM. What you say about the style sounds true. My old suit was very classic and it does look kind of dated now – something about the pants cut and the jacket length. It’s also navy, which wasn’t a good option for mixing and matching. I’ll try not to make the same mistake next time and I’ll definitely check the sales after New Year.

I love suits and have several – unfortunately, they don’t get much wear as suits per se. I do get wear out of the pieces worn separately and mixed-and-match. Any of the above jackets can go with jeans, for example.

I love #2 and #3, and I wouldn’t mind adding #5 into my wardrobe.

Angie, I have noticed that at our HQ many women and men are opting for suits these days. I have noticed this trend over the last few years. So I agree that they are in for a revival. I think some work places are getting tired of business casual!

Now I want to go out and try the cream suit. It seems like the pieces would be so versatile separately. As far as suits go, my lifestyle doesn’t really warrant them. But you’re convincing me. You never know when I might go interview again, use it for a special occasion or just use the pieces separately. All the suits you’ve shown are beautiful.

Maybe it’s a Washington DC thing? Many women here wear suits most of the time. I wear suits at least three times a week.

I like this post because its helpful to see how to accessorize the suit and make it personable and keep it current. Since a good suit is an investment, I try to find suit styles that are likely to work for several years then keep the look updated with shells, blouses, shoes, scarves, etc.

I’m also curious about the one- two- or three-button question. Which is a good choice? Does body type matter?

I love how suits look, and I promised myself I would get one in gray or cream once I finish losing weight. No point spending the money to get one now if it won’t fit for very long. I think they are a great option for church, parties, or formal events. Come to think of it I probably would look out of place wearing one at work except for meetings because it’s a business casual office.

I bought a black pinstripe suit from BR a few years ago. It fits everywhere except for the sleeves. I had the sleeves altered to the perfect length. However I’ve never worn it once, not even separately! Thanks for bring this up, I’ll challenge myself to wear it in the first week of January.

Great post Angie! I’m with you swirl! I wear suits many times a week for presentations and just to get the professional look that I’m after at the office. I don’t work in a super formal office, but I am in marketing and we do have a lot of presentations with management that I just think suits are more appropriate for. I have about 5 go-to suits in different (darker shades) that I rotate constantly and one beige suit.

If there are any frequent suit wearers out there, I’d be curious to know if you have the same suit shopping strategy that I have: I buy the jacket, one pair of the pants in each style it comes in (regular cut, wide leg and/or stove pipe), AND the matching skirt…that way I can mix and match multiple pieces for more outfits. If I’m buying a black suit in a particularly disctinctive fabric that I know I’ll end up wearing a lot, I’ll even buy two pairs of the black pants – because I always end up wearing the pants out before I want to stop wearing the jacket.

I try to funkify my suits by wearing really colourful accessories with them. For instance for a more intimate presentation, I’ll go a bit more casual and wear my 2-button black blazer with the matching black stovepipe pants in the same fabric, a black camisole, and my BRIGHT canary yellow patent Mary Janes from JCrew. It makes me feel fab!

I’m happy to hear there are a few other suit lovers out there!

on the button issue – if one is busty the one button closure, as close to the belly button/waist as possible, is the most flattering. the deep V created by the collar helps create length in the bodice, which most well endowed women need.

in my size – 12-14, a dearth of these exist . theory & BCBG suitings are really good looking, but are usually too snug on me. CE by nordstrom fits, but i’ve yet to see a flattering blazer suit jacket come from them.

i dream of a cream/champagne evening tux. something to wear to the occasions angie mentions. recently we went to an evening wedding, and i noticed a lady in cream trousers and a gold sparkly/sequin tank. she stood out nicely against the sea of dark colors.

suits are undoubtedly a put together and sharp look.

I love the look of fab suits, especially #3, 4 and 6 that you have there. Do you have any tips for buying suits that don’t look dated after a few years?

I have a suit that I bought about 7 years ago when I was working in IT. Haven’t had to wear it for many years, but it just looks old-fashioned to me now. I did get a 4 piece suit made up earlier this year though, with pieces I like enough to wear as separates. And yes one piece is a pair of shorts!!! Just the jacket I haven’t worn separately though!

Great topic Angie. I am one of the suit wearers. I usually wear suits several times a week. However, I don’t always wear matching jackets/pants suits. Angie, do you consider it a suit if the jacket and pants don’t match? (You’ve seen me in this often.)

Linda, I was on jury duty over the summer in Seattle and they still wear suits to court. But I agree with Angie, if you put a fun twist to your black suit, it will not look like you are going to court. (I didn’t see any red shoes with the suits).

Kim, I am a pear and wear suits well. Angie convinced me that I had to buy my suits as separates and it made a world of difference.

Tanya, don’t you love knits? I think a knit with your suit is perfectly conservative. In my opinion it is more conservative than an untucked button down shirt.

Theresa, my strategy. I probably have 6 matching suit jackets and pants in blacks, greys and navy. The pin stripes and texture vary. I have one suit that is summer specific and one that is only winter. I don’t buy pants/skirts in each style, but I do have non matching jackets that go with the pants to extend the wardrobe. With the jackets, I have several summer only and several winter only. I also wear the suit pants with either a non matching jacket, knit, belted button down, or button down with sweater or waistcoat. In fact, the only reason I don’t have a brown suit is because I have several brown pants that go with several non matching jackets.

The skirts on suits 1, 2, and 4 seem a bit short to me. But all skirts are short right now.

Great posting, Angie. I don’t speak up much but I follow all the conversations daily. I just chuckled when I went back to your comment about not expecting much excitement from this posting. I teach junior high, and seldom wear a suit to school, but what mileage I get out of my 2 suits. I have the classic 3 piece black one (slacks and skirt), and then a brown jacket and skirt number that has an elegant subtle design to it. Both of my suits are Garfield and Marks, and were a little pricey, but I couldn’t part with them now. They were an excellent investment for me. I do wear them as suits for more “serious” occasions, but I mix them up with so many other pieces in my wardrobe, dress them down, etc. It is endless. I recently wore the brown pencil skirt with brown suede cowboy boots, a funky turtleneck, and a lime green scarf. Don’t be afraid to invest because the playing with them is the most fun!

Great topic! I absolutely love suits and am sad that my life affords so few opportunities to wear them – except for the funeral occasion you listed – on that front I am glad I’ve had no occasion to wear them

I love the look of a cream Chanel suit. Or Valentino. (I’m not picky!) That one is on my Ultimate Wish List too, Angie.

I’m not crazy about suits. The ones here are nice, but not something I would want for myself. No matter how inventive you are, the matchy nature of suits is inevitable. Once you start breaking them apart (à la Stacy and Clinton’s advice), they cease to become suits.

Well, well, well ladies. I did not expect such suit admiration. You’ve made my day.

Marianne, good strategy. Any suit style at Club Monaco is going to be modern and streamlined to last for a while.

Shiny, the revival of suits at your office is interesting. I suspect people have caught on as to how easy it is to look professional and well put together in a suit.

Patience, if we weren’t snowed in today, I’d be out there trying every skirt suit imaginable. I’m glad you’re excited about the prospect of a skirt suit. If anyone can pull off a cream suit, it’s you.

Julia, get that suit into stylish action soonest!

Swirl, body type is of utmost importance when it comes to the number of jacket buttons and stance placement on a suit jacket. It’s pretty hard to generalize at this point, but a one button jacket with a lower stance tends to work well on bustier women (to Carissa’s point).

Theresa, I LOVE your suit strategy! This is music to my ears.

Carissa, one of my busty size 14 clients of regular height has an impeccable Ann Taylor black suit. You should try their fit if you haven’t already done so.

Eva, a suit has to have a jacket and bottom in the same fabric to be called a suit. And you indeed wear your suits well.

Louise, thanks for speaking up today. I appreciate your valuable comment and enjoy hearing how you “funkify” your suits.

Laura, one day we’ll have tea together in our uber extravagant Chanel suits. We’ll do Coco proud.

Maya, we’ll talk about suits again when you’re a little older. I totally grasp your perspective though.

I’ve wanted a charcoal pinstripe trouser suit ever since I saw a former colleague of mine wearing one paired with a simple knit top and baby blue Doc Martens (we were both about 24 back then, it was a fun and funky look and she pulled it off perfectly!).

I agree: suits are not just for work, you can wear them on so many other occasions. Hm, I might start looking for one soon;-)

Thanks for the reply. I know about buying separates. But the size differential is severe — a 10 on top, a 16 on bottom. Alterations usually just make things look, I dunno, homemade. Usually, I just wear stuff that’s way too big on top.

Great Inge! You’ll look wonderful in a funky pinstripe gangster suit.

Kim, I hear you. I’ve dealt with pretty pear body types with your top and bottom size differentials frequently. First of all, you might be in the incorrect sizes to start off with. Secondly, you’ve unfortunately had rotten luck with alterations. A good tailor does an impeccable job. Thirdly, you need to find a jacket style that will work with your a-line body type and there is no need for button closure. Leave the jacket open if need be. Our forum would be happy to help you with your suit fitting challenges. Hope to chat again soon!

I love suits. I think a skirt suit is an edgier look than the skirt + knits one.

[...] adore the look, ease, polish, presence and practicality of suits and find myself sticking up for the orphaned item at every opportunity. I’ve had a currently styled pants suit in my wardrobe for 15 years and will [...]