Advice: Suit Update - YouLookFab Forum

Update on the suit search!

Nordies:

Hugo Boss- near perfect fit (even the pant length which is an almost never occurring event in my expereince). Way over budget. This is the blazer online (I couldn't find the matching pant online):
http://store-us.hugoboss.com/L.....ize%3DUS_2

Theory - Beautiful suits! Largely fit well except for consistently short sleeves. Pants only need to be let out 3/4 inch or so. Tailor can't take sleeves out enough (one inch let out max and that doesn't get them even to my wrists). Marginally over budget.

Classiques - Couldn't find matched suit sets

J Crew: In store blazers didn't fit well in the torso. The waist was gapping and if I tried to remedy that with a smaller size, the bust was too tight. Sleeves consistently short (but perhaps a tall size online would fix that). Super 120s material seemed really thin.

Banana Republic: Blazers were similar to J Crew.

Ann Taylor: Found blazers that would work with a little nipping, but none of the pants worked for my shape, so going online to buy a tall size won't help.

I haven't tried Tahari yet (Nordies was out and expecting a shipment any day) or Brooks Brothers yet.

Starting to feel a little discouraged and thinking about altering an old J Crew suit from 2006. I love the material and the pants are lined (hard to find these days, it seems). It's a little too big (particularly in the bust/waist of the blazer but the pants are also riding low). I've uploaded pictures here:

1= suit unperturbed
2= suit sideways
3= suit with me trying to take in the blazer from behind
4= suit with blazer open
5= pant and button down shirt. My finger is pointing to the natural waistline
6= pant from the side

Do you think the suit looks dated? Is the blazer too short for today's standards?
Are the alterations worthwhile?

I need the suit in 2 weeks, so if I'm altering, I'll need to take it in this week. . .The Hugo Boss suit is on hold until Thursday.

Alter old J Crew or buy Hugo Boss?

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12 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

I love the short blazer look that gives a nice curviness to the figure. I don't think it can be dated because I notice that style right away in fashion layouts.

modgrl

(website)

I think this suit is still current. I like it alot actually. Just pop on a belt and pumps and you are ready to go!

Anna

Active Member

Have you tried Jones NY? I have a blazer and 2 pants that fit well and are not pricey. You might also consider a skirt to eliminate the pant length problem...

Sarah

I think the suit pictured looks good! I'd say you'll get a lot of use once you alter it to your satisfaction.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I'm going to be a spanner. I would much prefer to see you in a longer suit jacket. Your height is screaming for a longer jacket.

Too bad that the Theory suits are too short in the sleeve - that was going to be my suggestion (have a few myself).

Boss suits are sublime. The price is rough :(. Although I do consider them an investment piece. I vote Boss Suit - if it is at all in your means. Rob a bank?

Nakidra

What about Ann Taylor or Talbots? Decent suits, great sales... I have to wear a suit pretty much everyday. I have NO luck with BR suits, generally like J Crew and have a random scattering of AT and Talbots. Hope that helps!

rae

I have no good advice, since I'm a shortie and have no experience with where to find tall suits, but I just wanted to sympathize on all the prices... still, if it is that hard to find one that fits perfectly, maybe the cost is worth it for the HB suit? Any chance it would be less expensive to have one made for you?

rachylou

I like your J. Crew suit. I'm not really wowed by the Hugo Boss, although I'm sure it's a good suit and the price is fair for a good suit. I'd be tempted to get the HB anyways, because a suit is foundational and it is very very hard to find any kind of decent suit these days.

Anonymous

I agree with Angie that the jacket seems a little short (style, not fit).
The fit of that suit is so perfect that it makes me want to cry....that's a beautiful sight to behold.

Jonesy

Is your current suit charcoal gray? If yes, can you wear a jacket with pants that don't necessarily perfectly match? I was going to suggest that you keep the pants, since they fit you so well and look up-to-date, and splurge on a perfectly-fitted black jacket. To my eye, gray trousers with a black jacket looks dressy and formal, and then you could get the matching pants in a while once you could fit them into your budget.

danza.armonia

Thanks for all of the replies and troubleshooting recommendations!!

I'm relieved to hear that my old suit isn't out of date and is passable! The longer HB jacket looks better than the shorter J Crew jacket (on me), but there's always the practical consideration of cost.

@Anna: I've only looked at the specs on JNY suits and the pants would be high-waters on me. The skirt suit is something I should consider heavily; it would make my life much, much easier. My only worry is that I get cold really easily in fall/winter and thick tights (to my eye) make an outfit look less formal.

@Angie, After taking a harder look at the finances, I think I'm going to have to save up for the HB (drat that trainee salary!) and may make do in the interim for my first talk/presentation. There will be more talks and interviews, so still an opportunity for a new (best) fitting suit.

The upside, is that I had the old suit pinned tonight (jacket taken in at the sides, pant taken in so the waist lies where it should) and the pant crotch no longer looks as far away from the bottom of the jacket. Of course, the pant hem will need to be let out as well. Crossing my fingers that the actual alteration goes okay.

@Nakidra: Ann Taylor didn't work for me, but I'll check out Talbots (I have a linen moto jacket of theirs that I really like and the sleeve length on that is perfect).

@Rae: There seem to be a couple of options on the HB ($700+) scale of cost for custom suits. Particularly in New York. I'll likely be in NYC in December, so I'll try to take a look then.

@Jonsey: The suit is a deep warm brown. It does look charcoal in the picture, though. My default thought was to go after a suit with the jacket and pant in the same color. I'm not sure how a two color suit changes the formal quotient, if at all. I'll try this.

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