So, I went to the Rack yesterday on one of my research missions - I have been going there ocassioanlly whenever I find some time in the past couple of months to try on a bunch of items from contemporary brands for sizing. I am going to start buying such items (pants, jackets, dresses etc.) soon to build my work wardrobe, and have lots of them in various online carts, but am unsure of sizing in lots of cases. I prefer to try lots of things at the Rack as my local store has a nice selection of Theory, Vince etc., yet SAs leave you completely alone, unlike in the department stores.

I couldn't believe my luck when I spotted two Elie Tahari black wool suiting separates, a pencil skirt and cigarette pants, on the clearance rack: both were my size, and marked down beyond ridiculous. They were each $198 original price, the Rack price was $65, then the skirt was marked down to $13, and the pants to $25. They both fit perfectly, and have no flaws for which I checked very carefully. Needless to say, I snapped them up, and actually felt a little guilty about the deal I got.

Both pieces are very simple modern classic work essentials, no waistbands and pockets, with side zipper, and beautifully made (the skirt is lined). Both are made from the same fabric - the typical suiting stretch wool that Elie Tahari makes lots of pieces from. This should make it fairly feasible to find a matching blazer for a three-piece suit. I am seriously considering the one attached in the finds below - I like the little lace detailing as both bottoms are very simple. I am not quite sure how I feel about that lace detail being see through, tough. If I decide to get the blazer and it still bugs me, I may have my tailor line those parts.