https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 12 May 2026 21:37:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528936 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:23:13 +0000 Vicki 528936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suit student reporting to class! Thank you, Angie, for my first lesson and I will probably go the Modern Classic route, although I'm still not sure what a High Fashion suit is and would appreciate a definition if someone wants to jump in here. (I'm thinking high fashion might be something like a tuxedo suit or designer suit but I could be all wrong).</p> <p>Thank you, Inge, for these outstanding links and I've been quickly reading them this morning. Amy, your post on quality really is wonderful and helps me to consider the finer aspects of this purchase! It's excellent reading.</p> <p>Now, I've got homework to do and will let you know what I learn from my field trips! Apples for my teachers await!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528900 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:43:26 +0000 Amy 528900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vicki! I'm looking forward to seeing what you find.</p> <p>I love suits too. I have black covered, but think I'm going to look for a grey or navy one. When I have to go to court, I wear suits as suits, but I also like to break them up and wear the pieces separately.</p> <p>If you're going the modern classic route, I suspect a nicely draped subtle bootcut (not a flare ala bell bottoms) is the way to go. Plus, they look fab with heels. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528884 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:33:28 +0000 kimlee 528884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will be watching this thread closely as it is time for me to replace the 1 suit that I own. It was purchased when I graduated college ( and that was....gasp 8 years ago). Needless to say it was probably not the highest quality. I look foward to learning with Vicki. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528881 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:28:44 +0000 Angie 528881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(Great, Inge!)</p> <p>Vicki, there is no time like the present so lets thrash out the subject now! </p> <p>These are all great questions. I do quite a bit of suit buying with my executive clients and feel that we can find solutions to your challenges. And I love suits! So much so that I have two trouser suits just for fun and wear them when the mood strikes me. (I am still after a killer skirt suit). </p> <p>Here is a starting point:</p> <p>- Decide whether you want to go high fashion or modern classic. For example, my suits are modern classic. Anna is after a trendy suit. There is room for both, but it's a costly exercise. (I will eventually add a high fashion suit to my wardrobe). Once you have decided this, we can thrash out the details. </p> <p>- Amy did a killer post on how to recognize quality. Absorb it! </p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/evaluating-quality" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ng-quality</a></p> <p>- Buy the best quality that you can afford.</p> <p>- Choose a versatile colour. I chose a charcoal grey pinstripe both times. Black was too harsh for pale blonde me, and seeing as I like to wear black tops - a grey pinstripe is ideal. </p> <p>You have homework :). Report back on your assignment in your own time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528800 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:23:30 +0000 StephanieR 528800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you're petite it really pays off if you buy a petite fit jacket, the waist will fit better and the sleeve length will be shorter to suit you. I'm petite in height but not stature, I have broad shoulders and a largeish bust, so find the best jackets for me hit the hip and are fastened with a single button to create a deep V to break up the chest area. I also avoid any puff sleeve effect as it broadens my shoulder even more. If you are smaller busted and narrow shouldered then you can wear jackets that button up higher and have more sleeve detail. As for trousers, again my personal preference, I go for straight leg, but not too wide, as I think they look smarter than a bootcut style. I also find them more comfortable as they are a little looser through the thigh area, but it really is down to your own body shape and personal style.</p> <p>Hope this helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528781 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:26:37 +0000 Inge 528781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Vicki,</p> <p>So much to consider when you want to buy a suit, isn't there.<br /> (I'm on the look-out for one myself;-)</p> <p>In the meantime, maybe these posts can shed some light on things too?<br /> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2008/12/18/sticking-up-for-the-suit/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2008/12/.....-the-suit/</a></p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2006/09/22/the-one-suit-wardrobe/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2006/09/.....-wardrobe/</a></p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2010/03/18/how-to-fit-classic-dress-pants/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2010/03/.....ess-pants/</a></p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2008/09/10/the-unbuttoned-jacket/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2008/09/.....ed-jacket/</a></p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2009/09/15/double-breasted-jackets-open-and-closed/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2009/09/.....nd-closed/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528780 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:12:27 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 528780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was just thinking last night that I would like to see a post on how to recognize quality fabrication.. It wasn't specific to a suit but the principles would be the same I think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528776 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:23:11 +0000 krishnidoux 528776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Vicki, good questions! I too am awaiting the answers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528774 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:19:03 +0000 Lantana 528774@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Vicki, I thought you might like, in the interim, to Google " couture sewing methods". Regardless of your own sewing prowess, getting an insight into high end construction will help your eye in assessing quality. I don't have a specific site in mind. I ended up trawling through several and I have found them instructive. I'm glad Joy bumped your post. I saw it this morning and nearly did the same. You can always send a message to Angie. The forum is getting away from me at the moment, I just cannot keep up, so I imagine the task before Angie each day must be challenging, to say the least. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528705 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:43:25 +0000 Refugee 528705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooh, I would love to see Angie do a post on this. I don't think she has done a recent post on suits but I could be wrong. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528692 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:29:11 +0000 Vicki 528692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>THANK YOU, Joy!!! I'm feeling a little *lost* here and that's why I posted it. I think, with so many posts and people wanting Angie to reply (and she's probably swamped), my message is now old news. If I don't get any feedback, maybe I'll send her an email, because this subject is important to me and is a topic I want to understand; what better expert to explain it than Angie. I DO thank you for your efforts! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528686 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:14:52 +0000 Anonymous 528686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>bumping </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-determining-the-anatomy-of-a-well-made-jacket-or-suit#post-528039 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:52:19 +0000 Vicki 528039@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Angie,</p> <p>With my recent posting of a Theory jacket I’d seen in the stores and your great help in showing me photos of your charcoal grey pinstripe Theory suit jacket, and then Annagybe’s post “I think I want a suit,” I realized I was clueless on how to buy one.</p> <p>I would love it if you would write something on the “anatomy of a well-made jacket, suit or blazer,” and “how to find the perfect one for your body type.”</p> <p>Spring Fashion Week is coming up and I love your articles from the road. I am hoping that you can shed some light on this as I’d love to buy a jacket and/or a suit that can be worn individually as you have so beautifully shown in your articles. I enjoy the idea of wearing the pieces individually, so the pants are also an important factor in the selection. Here are a few of my questions and I’d love to read more on how you analyze this type of purchase, especially with the fine details.</p> <p>On pockets, when pockets are sans welts, and others have flaps, is this a style preference or a practical one?</p> <p>For shorter or petite women, is the length of the jacket important? I like a well-cut, fitted and tailored jacket, but anything too small (think J. Crew’s schoolboy blazers), looks more child-like and less classic. How does one determine the best length for them?</p> <p>Do color and pattern matter to achieve a timeless jacket that can be worn separately?</p> <p>Is it important to buy matching pants at the same time?</p> <p>What is the best pant leg to buy? Flared, skinny, straight-leg?</p> <p>I loved the striped lining on the Theory jacket. Is this also an integral part in the decision-making process?</p> <p>What about lapel size, number of buttons and pick stitching elements?</p> <p>Thank you, Angie, for your reply. I am happy to wait for a later article, if that’s a better fit for this.</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/25/a-not-so-buttoned-up-suit/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/.....d-up-suit/</a></p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2011/06/06/a-professional-edge-for-my-coral-jeans/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2011/06/.....ral-jeans/</a> </p>