I had a little time to shop on our recent trip to Japan. If space and budget were no object, I could have brought back suitcases full of gorgeous goodies because the one item was more fabulous than the next. The shopping in Japan is that good. But with lots of shopping discipline I came home with one suit and a pair of shoes. 

Although suits are one of my current fashion obsessions, I wasn’t planning on bringing one home at all. This is the season of pattern and colour, so why on earth would I bring back a black suit? Well. It just worked out that way because after fitting it on, it had to be mine.

It’s tuxedo integrity, fabric sheen, inset panels, ruffles, and intricate ruching detail make for an interesting masculine and feminine juxtaposition. Also, the fact that the cropped trousers were at the perfect length was a big sign that this suit should come home to Seattle. The great fit and excellent quality were the clinchers.

I have been living to wear this suit since we got back from Japan – after all, I bat for Team Wear. But it wasn’t until a recent business trip that I had the right occasion for its debut. These photos were taken just before our meeting in sunny and breezy San Francisco last week. The crease-resistant fabric made my outfit feel crisp all day. Perfect for travel. 

There are countless ways to wear this suit, but for it’s debut I opted to wear it with a tucked, masculine, French blue button down shirt complete white cuffs and collar. It’s similar to the light blue and white striped shirt I sported a few weeks ago — I’m loving my button downs more than ever this year.

I wore the shirt tuxedo-style for our meeting: buttoned up, but creating a butterfly by wearing the collar up at the back. For the rest of the day I wore it open collared.

A black patent belt with sculptured bow and off white satchel finish off the look. No jewelry other than an oversized pair of specs, silver watch and wedding ring. True to this leg of my style journey, this outfit is soft and a little masculine.

And then there are the shoes. I almost cried when I saw them in Japan and popped them on to my fussy feet. They are low heeled, soft and so very comfortable. Their dainty straps and slender wedge heel are refined and ladylike. I had already worn these a few times before the debut of the suit, but felt just as special for this trip.

I am extremely pleased with my versatile new black suit. I can dress it up or down, wear the items as separates, throw on boots or flats, and mix it up with sparkle, pattern or denim. No item of clothing can substitute for real confidence, but the quality and design of this suit definitely doesn’t hurt.