https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 06 May 2026 16:18:31 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit/page/2#post-1724026 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 16:33:54 +0000 Vildy 1724026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those dresses or suits with duster length jackets used to be called costumes. I imagine not a very searchable term nowadays. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit/page/2#post-1724025 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 16:33:12 +0000 unfrumped 1724025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ditto southern department store sections devoted to this look. </p> <p>Though Ann Taylor suiting is typically " business" , there are often some offered in fabrics and colors that are more day- lunch look to me, with some short round collar jackets.<br /> Sometimes the top &amp; bottom are featured so separately in the New Arrivals that at first I don't realize they are available as a matching suit. Sometimes the color is rather neutral but often a soft neutral and the fabric and style are so much less corporate that it would be easy to punch up to a church suit look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1724023 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 16:30:22 +0000 Vildy 1724023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't know if your example pix are from Ashro but they have a catalog - and online - full of this style of suit.&nbsp; This is what Black women wear to church in my city and I know because I see them after church at the supermarket or the diner - well, before both of those closed. </p> <p>On Sunday a battered pickup truck with a frame over the bed pulled up and a very elderly gent got out, dressed in an immaculately tailored light brown suit with a straw boater hat. He went to the house across the street where they have several small children but only one came out. A little girl, about five years old, in the widest, fluffiest pink little girl's church dress. He must have been her great-great-grandfather. Where does anyone buy little girls' dresses like this anymore? It was definitely not a Disney princess dress. They both looked amazing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1724014 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 15:53:10 +0000 Anonymous 1724014@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And of course, Talbots has some, too --</p> <p><a href="https://www.talbots.com/online/browse/suits-and-separates/_/N-10463" rel="nofollow">https://www.talbots.com/online...../_/N-10463</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723996 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 14:28:33 +0000 Glory 1723996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suits seems to be few and far between. When I had to travel to an actual office Business wear was mandatory and by that it meant: suit, pantyhose and closed toe pumps. Suits in every hue and fabric were available in every women's store from modest to mega dollar price ranges. I had a stunning collection. I hung on to my suits for a long time thinking they would come back into style but alas they have not and I have donated my final suit just last week. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723994 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 14:13:11 +0000 chadya 1723994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Rachylou</p> <p>I am with you on the slips, I have some and wear them with dresses/skirts in the summer.<br />I wish they would make a comeback, l have seen women wearing a tight dress with nothing underneath but underwear,&nbsp; have to bite my tongue from saying wear a slip,&nbsp; it would be so much more flattering </p> <p>Do women buy suits sets anymore?&nbsp;&nbsp; I haven't seen any in&nbsp; a long time </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723786 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 23:30:35 +0000 Angela K 1723786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy try belk.com. You should definitely be able to find your suit there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723783 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 23:06:29 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1723783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was going to call them Easter suits, too. When I lived in Philly, Easter suits with hats were an awesome thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723776 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 22:55:04 +0000 Staysfit 1723776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Someone already said it, but I received a catalog ad from Jc Penny's for Labor Day and it had pictures of those colorful suits on the front cover. Your timing is perfect. Just fly out here, immediately! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723757 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 21:57:05 +0000 rachylou 1723757@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, lavender with blue would be lovely. I tried to get blue added to my green, but my girl is not very good...lol. The blue became green, lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723756 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 21:51:09 +0000 Sal 1723756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think vintage could be the way to go....</p> <p>I do know what you mean - my Grandmother used to buy a new Church Suit every year - she would still wear the older ones but have a new favourite. &nbsp;I have strong memories of a soft lavender one which was striking with her iron blue perm.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723754 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 21:44:24 +0000 rachylou 1723754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the links, ladies!! And I'd love a blue suit for the green hair, Angie. That would be PERFECT. </p> <p>Hobbs is brand new to me - definitely, Jules, a nicely nicely done modern version. Much better than my wacky Internet pics.</p> <p>JC Penney's I searched online for - but within local parameters. I will try again.</p> <p>Dillard's, which I used to go to in Arizona, doesn't exist here, nor does Belk's...</p> <p>...clearly, this is a thing that will have to be sought online, unless I rally to find a seamstress (smart tip, Ginger, re a retro/vintage familiar seamstress; I'll remember that)....and will use 'dress set' to search (had not thought of that one!).</p> <p>Last but not least: I am hoarding three half slips, one which was my mother's from the 60s...or possibly 50s! I have had that experience of sales associates looking at me blankly on the subject and showing me shapewear instead...shudders! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723747 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 21:27:21 +0000 Anonymous 1723747@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I saw some here:<br /><a href="http://www.blair.com/t/womens/pantsuits-sets/pc/1361/1424.uts" rel="nofollow">http://www.blair.com/t/womens/.....1/1424.uts</a></p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723710 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 19:27:26 +0000 columbine(erin) 1723710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy, try using the search term 'dress sets.' There's a lot to wade through but it seems to have brought up some similar choices from many retailers. On my phone I can't link easily, sorry, or do Finds. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723676 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 17:45:01 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1723676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, I wouldn't have expected it to be so hard to find something like this. The classic Chanel-style suit, as others have mentioned, would seem great for this purpose, but I don't see them around.<br />Here's a "leafy lace topper" from Talbot's, shown with a solid matching skirt and shell:<br /><a href="https://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi40429&amp;defaultColor=2918&amp;N=10229&amp;selectedConcept" rel="nofollow">https://www.talbots.com/online.....8&#038;N=1</a>=<br />Usually I would expect Pendleton to have some options, but I'm not seeing any on their website at the moment. In store, they might have more of a selection. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723670 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 17:28:21 +0000 Echo 1723670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Coloured suits and suits styled differently from business wear were very popular in the 1980's. Indeed, that is what many of us wore for our first interviews then! I rarely see them now except for Easter. I think they are considered primarily a seasonal item, so you may want to stock up from a place like Pennys or Dillards (the places I remember seeing them) in the spring. I bet Macy's would carry lots of them at that time, too.</p> <p>However, Macy's and many department stores are in full seasonal clearance mode right now, and it can be difficult to find anything! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723650 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 16:12:01 +0000 columbine(erin) 1723650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't see many people wearing church suits these days. If they do I think they get them from JC Penny. I see a lot of women wearing a jersey maxi skirt, trendy shoe, cardigan, and Obi belt. A few ladies do wear church suits and hats at my church, I love that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723646 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 16:08:49 +0000 Angie 1723646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are lots of options from other retailers, Rachy - as the ladies have suggested. I fancy a blue suit with the green hair.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723644 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 16:06:00 +0000 Peri 1723644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely southern church lady! I'm seconding or thirding the idea to check Belks or Lord and Taylor. Maybe Coldwater Creek? </p> <p>But they also look very guest of a southern spring wedding, so maybe the wedding guest category of Nordstrom online?</p> <p>I'm sure Kate's cost thousands. But, I think people might be surprised that the same could be said of a multitude of southern church ladies! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723619 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 15:21:10 +0000 Ginger 1723619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another Southerner here. These looks are a LOT more common in early spring. They're Easter suits! Dillard's is particularly good. Belk's is, surprisingly, not common in my particular metro area, but it's another place to try.</p> <p>You're right, Rachy, Duchess Kate typically wears coatdresses, not suits. She's worn a MacQueen pink two-piece dress that's similar in effect, but all that comes to mind so far.</p> <p>If you do want to go the custom route, seek out a retro/vintage sewer.&nbsp; They will "get" the aesthetic a lot easier than someone who's accustomed to modern bridal or business wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723604 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 14:43:36 +0000 El Cee 1723604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have, in the past, done very well at Lord &amp; Taylor (online) for finding "church appropriate" suits.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.lordandtaylor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lord-and-taylor/search/womens-apparel/womens-nested-suits">http://www.lordandtaylor.com/w.....parel/wome</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723602 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 14:29:32 +0000 JAileen 1723602@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>1. Nobody at my church dresses like this. I haven't seen anyone dress like this in decades.<br /> 2. I think Macy's IS going out of business.<br /> 3. In my town, ladies who lunch wear jeans. They distinguish themselves with their expensive handbags.<br /> 4. Re slips: As a child I wore a full slip under my dresses. When I was older I started wearing half slips. Here on YLF people have said they didn't need a slip because their dress was lined. Horrors! I would still wear a slip under a lined dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723596 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 14:02:23 +0000 Meredith 1723596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Runswithscissors that you need to check some southern sources like Belk or Dillard's. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723585 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 13:27:31 +0000 Tanya 1723585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will openly admit to knowing almost nothing about this topic, in fact, I did not now know that such a thing "church suit" exists.&nbsp; This thread has thus been very informative for me, so thank you for starting it, Rachy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723562 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 12:37:36 +0000 Runs With Scissors 1723562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LIke L'Abielle, I associate this look with "ladies who lunch" also. &nbsp;In the 90s, in Houston, such ladies might shop at Tootsies (a local high-end boutique). &nbsp;Alas, they seem to have moved on from this look -- though even if they had it their price points would have been in the thousands, so maybe not so useful anyhow.</p> <p>Next stop, JC Penneys. &nbsp;Which did not disappoint. &nbsp;(I was only bummed I couldn't find a good orange or green offering to throw into the lineup below.) &nbsp;I haven't been in a JCP in probably two decades, but it was a big part of my Deep South childhood. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723558 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 12:30:22 +0000 L'Abeille 1723558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The daytime dressy suit; what I think of when I hear "ladies who lunch" (I know, we've had entire threads about the connotations of that phrase, which I'm not trying to invoke here). The classic Chanel suit comes to mind. The jackets at least are everywhere; they came around again this past spring. I had to look the other way because I already have too many that I don't wear. </p> <p>What about a dress and jacket combo? I see those even in the Sears catalogue, though they seem to be targeting mother of the bride.</p> <p>In the Hobbs link above, the pieces with the huge roses remind me of Pink Tartan from a few seasons back.</p> <p>Now on to my own "What is this world coming to" story: I was forcing my adult daughter to go bra shopping, as one does, and it occurred to me I could use a new half slip. I asked the salesperson in the lingerie store (La Senza, kind of like Victoria's Secret but not), and she HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723553 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 11:54:35 +0000 RoseandJoan 1723553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hobbs does a modern reiteration of the look well <a href="https://www.hobbs.com/en/Coordinating-Pieces/2gify/" rel="nofollow">https://www.hobbs.com/en/Coord.....ces/2gify/</a></p> <p>If the link doesn't work select clothing then coordinating pieces. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723537 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 09:49:38 +0000 rachylou 1723537@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>...What I'm wanting is daytime formal, not career formal, and what appeals to me about a suit is the jacket. I run so cold. </p> <p>And ya, not keen on a blazer. That's informal strictly speaking... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723536 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 09:42:59 +0000 rachylou 1723536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven't seen the JCrew suit. I rarely have fit luck with JCrew. A whole hot pink suit I'd have to think about. Hot colour is, crazily, harder for me to do than, for example, the ruffles on the green suit. Altho, that green is pretty neon...not my first choice.</p> <p>I was trying to track down coatdresses like Kate Middleton wears. Those are also non-existent. She wears a lot of Catherine Walker for her coatdresses - and that's fully custom. I don't know that I have the energy for custom made.</p> <p>I guess it's old fashioned of me. But Kate has managed to modernize them. A far cry from the line backer look Diana sported. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-church-suit#post-1723532 Mon, 05 Sep 2016 09:14:08 +0000 Style Fan 1723532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These do look on the retro side but I have not looked for a suit in decades.&nbsp; J Crew's pink suit seemed "pretty".&nbsp; Or the dress with a matching jacket that Angie bought in the Spring from J Crew.<br />Kate Middleton seems to wear things like this.&nbsp; They must be out there. </p>