https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/anyone-with-a-jcrew-business-suit Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 13 May 2026 15:39:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/anyone-with-a-jcrew-business-suit#post-83393 Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:35:16 +0000 Jillian 83393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As someone who has worn suits daily for years, I had to come out of lurker mode on this one as I actually feel like I *might* be able to offer helpful comments. You have already received much good advice. </p> <p>JCrew Super 120s is good quality stretch wool-- not top of the line but soft and fairly wrinkle-resistant. Top of the line wool fabrics are really incredible, but you pay for it. I would not buy a cotton suit as your first suit. There is a place for them in a suiting wardrobe but they are inappropriate in winter and wrinkle easily. Avoid polyester in ANY form-- it will not have mileage.</p> <p>There are plenty of custom tailors that tour major US cities from China/HK regularly and many are willing to do women's suits. But, I've found that the same money spent on a off-the-rack suit yields better results. My one caveat is if you have a suit you want duplicated. YMMV, especially if you are hard to fit. JCrew does have a more "curvy" fit than Bennetton, and I've found them similar to BR in fit. I am less impressed by BR's fabric quality and details, especially jacket lining. I also like Theory and find Bloomies has by far the best suit department of the major stores I frequent. Brooks Bros can work if you want conservative. Avoid AT, especially the tri-acetate black mix-n-match pieces. I have a bleak period in my personal fashion history linked to these pieces and want to save you that. You say you are frugal: I have a friend who does well on eBay-- buying lots from women who have left the workforce or have moved to a more casual workplace. Some TJ Maxx/Marshalls have good selections, usually the city center ones.</p> <p>You can get pants and skirts altered more easily and cheaply than jackets. But, I'd be very hesitant to order a non-returnable suit if you are not very familiar with the fit of the brand's jackets. Button placement, lapel width, jacket length have a big impact on a suit's final look and are hard to judge from pictures. I have tried on almost every JCrew suit for the past several seasons, so I feel comfortable ordering them on clearance as their standard styles do not change significantly.</p> <p>I would advise you to think about what you really want a suit for-- funerals? interviews? spouse at business dinners? These, to me, suggest differences in what you are looking for in a suit-- color, conservatism, classic or with some "trendy" details like a peplum jacket, skirt/pants. </p> <p>FWIW, my personal experience. Over the years, I've found charcoal gray suits are my workhorses. Black seems too dark on some occassions, especially summer, even with fun shoes and accessories. Navy makes me feel like a flight attendant, but I travel a lot. Browns seem harder to find nice blouses/shells to coordinate with. And, my coloring probably plays a part. I much prefer a pants suit to a skirt suit but both are widely acceptable even in professional settings and your choice will depend on body type, climate, preference in heel height, amount of travel you will do in a suit (pants work far better in planes-- cannot tell you the number of hose I have snagged on the velcro at the front of the seat that holds in the lifejacket).</p> <p>Can't wait to see what you try! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/anyone-with-a-jcrew-business-suit#post-83189 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:17:08 +0000 Dashrashi 83189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>J. Crew suits are nice, but I always find the cut to be kind of pear-y. Definitely something you'd want to try on, especially given the price. My extensive suit-shopping has led me to Benetton, whose jackets are always cut with enough room in the bust, and whose bottoms are cut relatively narrowly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/anyone-with-a-jcrew-business-suit#post-83119 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:25:14 +0000 annagybe 83119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a chocolate brown JCrew suit (can't remember the fabric) that I used for interviews. I'm heavy on top hourglass, at the time I got a size 16 jacket and a size 12 pant. I liked how I could order the jacket and pants separately. I also didn't have time to go shopping in person.<br /> Now I'll probabaly have to get it tailored, since I've lost 34 lbs.<br /> I used the suit for interviews in the late winter and into spring. My last interview was on a day it was in the 80's, it was a bit warm, but I think anything would have been warm that day. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/anyone-with-a-jcrew-business-suit#post-83096 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:58:02 +0000 Anonymous 83096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a pair of J.Crew Super 120's trousers, and I love them. They use some of the same categories of fit for suit pants that they do for other pants, so if you've tried on other J.Crew pants before, you can know that the suiting will fit you in a similar way.</p> <p>BTW, although the jacket of your suit should probably be lined, you may or may not want trousers with lining. Mine are unlined (better for the South) and they look and feel great.</p> <p>When I was looking for my trousers I tried on lightweight wool blends from J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor. They were all fine, J.Crew just fit me best. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/anyone-with-a-jcrew-business-suit#post-83089 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:42:57 +0000 Melody 83089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am wearing a jcrew navy super 120's suit today for a meeting and I love it! Most of my suits are jcrew, I prefer their suits over BR because the regular pants are longer and I'm on the tall side. Jcrew's wool gabardine and wool crepe are lined and definitely wearable for 3 seasons, but too warm for summer in the south. The super 120's and stretch wool are unlined. I've gotten all my suits during end of season sales. Cotton, linen, &#38; seersucker are on sale right now. The gabardine and crepe are on sale around Jan/Feb. Not all jcrew sales are final, and any item that is final sale &#38; non-returnable is clearly marked in your on-line shopping bag ... I've just received 3 sale items and 2 were returnable, 1 is not. But I've bought so much from jcrew that I know how their clothes typically fit me.</p> <p>My suggestion is that you try on as many different suits as you can from several different stores ... each store &#38; brand has it's own specific fit. It's a big investment, and you should feel fabulous in it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/anyone-with-a-jcrew-business-suit#post-83002 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:24:20 +0000 Danja 83002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love BR and JCrew suits. BR suits are somewhat cheaper, because a JCrew suit can run you about $375. I had a grey BR suit forever, and just recently I donated it because it was finally showing its age. JCrew suit on the other hand is holding steady so far.<br /> I don't think you can go wrong with either one, but you have to try them on before you buy. Remember that most JCrew sales are final, especially online. Hope this helps.</p> <p>Danja </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/anyone-with-a-jcrew-business-suit#post-82997 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:54:05 +0000 Angie 82997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good quezzie. </p> <p>Must go to AT, BR and Nordstrom to compare suit prices for fit and quality. J Crew suits are nice too, but the fit is specific. I adore suits! Please post a picture, Cyan. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/anyone-with-a-jcrew-business-suit#post-82959 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:01:02 +0000 cyan45 82959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i am a novice in business suit apparel, and am intimidated by the price. however, i'd like to jump in and figure out what cuts/fabrics/colors suit me (no pun intended, lol).</p> <p>i hear br and jcrew are good. is this true? are there other options? </p> <p>from what i've read, i gather a first time suit should be:<br /> 1. in a conservative color (black, charcoal, navy, etc)<br /> 2. non-wrinkly, high quality, lined, breathable fabric (stretch wool?)<br /> 3. fit well in specific ways<br /> 4. suit one's body type </p> <p>any tips on how to get started? </p> <p>also, if i were to be impulsive and buy a suit set i saw on sale online, could i have<br /> it altered at the tailor if needed? or would this be money down the drain?</p> <p>when my dad went on business trips to japan/china, he used to get fantastic tailor-made suits in rapid time for a great price. do such places exist in america?<br /> (sorry, i'm frugal to the bone).</p> <p>thanks so much for all your help </p>