Do I need another denim pantsuit? - decision made - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Do I need another denim pantsuit? - decision made

anchie

Veteran

I have started wearing much more pantsuits recently, I like how simple it is to get dressed in the morning, just put on some layering top and select matching sneakers and I am good to go. Especially during stressful times, I have resorted to uniform dressing. But I am not drawn to basic workwear suits - they are too formal for my environment and too boring for my style. They have to have some fun elements like pattern, color, different material or unusual cut. I got plaid suit, turquoise suit, corduroy suit and was looking for denim suit. When Angie posted abot Boss denim suit I was intrigued but could only find blazer and not the matching pants, so gave up on that. But with lot of luck I found the matching pants to already owned Dondup denim blazer so I got my denim suit after all. And just when I cut the tags from Dondup pants, Boss pants finally turned up - and they were included in sale specials that was happening over the last weekend. The whole Boss suit was on sale for about 200euros instead of almost 800 at the full price. So I pulled the trigger and it already arrived today. And now I don’t know what to do. I can’t do anything about the Dondup pantsuit because I already own it and I love it. But is Boss suit different enough and good enough to keep it? Please help me decide.

Photos 1-5 is Boss suit and #6 is Dondup suit which has some lurex shine that is not that visible in the photo. #7 is Dondup close up to show the shine.

This post has 7 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Shopping

36 replies

Latest reply was from

Tanya

Veteran

Oh, this is hard. Both are lovely on you and fit very well. If the budget is not an issue, I would ask myself if they are different enough that you would be wearing them differently. Alternatively, if you would wear them the same way, if it would be often enough to justify it/avoid laundry bottle necks. Also, if you eventually might prefer having a different suit instead of a 2nd denim one.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

So similar yet different. I would only be able to tell once I had them in my closet for a while and start reaching more often for the one that feels right. Sorry, no help I know. Btw, I know the quality of Hugo Boss and Dondup and they are both very good. I have Boss white bootcut jeans and DH had Dondup jeans.

Anonymous

They aren't wildly different but I do prefer one to the other.

A little extravagant maybe but I have to go with keep, looks great, amazing price, very stable style, looks great, also looks great..

If you love this style and it works for you, a duplicate seems totally reasonable

Bijou

Veteran

Both look great on you. If dark blue is one of your favourite neutrals, which I think it is, then I vote keep if this is a style that you love. The one thing that makes me pause with this suit is how classic it is. I think of you in brighter colours or more feminine styles.

I have more than one black suit, but they feel sufficiently different to me. Having a few good suits is useful in your favourite neutrals.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

This is a nail-biter for me. ...

I like the lack of contrast in the Dondup buttons and stitching just a little better. It gives you more options in choosing accessory colors.

I like the Boss pants just a little better (but I think you could style-hack temporary cuffs on the Dondup).

What does the Boss fabric look like up close? I’d be interested to compare it, and the buttons, side-by-see.

I think this might need a style lab, in which you demonstrate the different ways you would wear these similar suits.

I would also ask myself if some of the excitement of the Boss suit is because you searched and searched and finally found it? It occurs to me that 200 euros is a nice sum of money to drop on something completely different, yet equally thrilling.

Kaelyn

Veteran

I think the shine on the Dondup makes it sufficiently different to my eye, plus the difference between the two suits with button contrast. I agree with Mary Beth that you should consider style lab-ing them! See if there are some combinations you definitely prefer with one or the other, or if they work equally well with both. If you have a lot of combos you think look uniquely good with one, I'd suggest keeping that one, or both if they each have unique looks that you enjoy. And I also agree with others that the duplicate is justifiable if you anticipate wearing these a lot.

anchie

Veteran

Took the photos of the blazers in the same spot, to show differences and similarities. Boss is unlined and has silver buttons and rust stitching. Boss pants also fit me better, no alterations needed.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

slim cat

Veteran

I really like both - vote to keep them.
It's different enough and looks fab on you!

anchie

Veteran

Forgot to mention- don’t think that style lab would help in this situation. I don’t have many different ways to style the suits and I think both can be styled in the very similar way. Only difference that I see is that Dondup suit because of the lurex can be styled for holiday party, while Boss seems more casual and would look good with chunky sweaters.

Kaelyn

Veteran

Ooh, seeing them in the same spot like that really highlights the differences. I'm also noting the different pocket styles. I say keep both if you really love them! Dondup would be LOVELY for a holiday party or any other event where you want to shine, and Boss would work equally well casually or professionally.

anchie

Veteran

One thing that is giving me pause is rust stitching on Boss suit. It is out of my color scheme and I am not sure how limiting that can be. But it is very discreet and not that visible. I think Boss suit would look great with some cognac shoes and accessories that I don’t own.
Dondup on the other hand looks great with silver shoes and accessories that I do own.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Anchie I think maybe you just answered your dilemma yourself. If you have to buy a bunch of cognac things to match the Boss suit is it really such a good deal money-wise. I realise I am in the minority here but since you posted the 2nd batch of pics side by side these look so very similar I personally think one is going to get neglected over the other in the long run, so would rather spend 200 euros on something quite different.

Carla

Veteran

Keep both. They are different enough from each other, but from what I’ve seen of your style - they are definitely in your wheel house and will get lots of wear over time.

Kaelyn

Veteran

Fair point about possibly needing to add cognac accessories to pair with it. Might still be worth it if you'd get a lot of use out of the cognac stuff and would like to add it anyway, but that is a lot to add to it to make it work. Do you have other accessories that look good with it already?

anchie

Veteran

I would wear Boss suit with my usual shoes and accessories like navy, cream or accent color, but I think this suit is made for and would look its best combined with earthy tones.

kkards

Veteran

Thank you for the additional pictures of the close up on the jackets…looking at those, it looks at least to me, that the Dondup reads slightly more black and the Boss slight more blue…for that reason alone, I’d keep both. Also as it’s unlined, does that make it more year round than the Dondup?

anchie

Veteran

Boss suit skews more warm and Dondup more cool, but they are both navy definitely. Not sure if that even makes sense:) And yes, Boss is lighter weight.
I would probably wear each suit approximately 2 times per month for at least 9 months yearly.

cat2

Veteran

I would keep, I think they will see different uses given the metallic sheen to one versus the other. And the fact you would be wearing different accessories will make them stand out yet more. You might style one more for fall and the other more for Spring.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Like me anchie, you LOVE to wear pant suits! They are not orphaned. The Boss suit is a cut above the other. KILLER.

KEEP

Try with HIGH shaft boots! These pants are quite cropped.

Can you provide links to the items please? I cannot find the here!

anchie

Veteran

Angie - I found the suit on invite only web site called Best Secret, so the link would work only for registered users. I got invite from another faber here I can send you invite but I don't think it ships to US.

If anyone else is interested in invite, please let me know. I have found many gems there. They have extremly fast and free shipping and returns, and you don't have to pay anything in advance, just what you keep.

Anonymous

I like the Dondup a bit more than the Boss too, but if you'd wear both and not get tired of the look quickly, keep!

lozz_oz

Veteran

Any chance your budget permits keeping both? The pants suits look is very you, so they will get worn.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love the Dondup suit on you but I do see the HB as being different. The jacket seems a bit more fitted rather than straight and the lurex of course. I do like the cuffs on the HB trousers. Do you ever wear the pieces as separates?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hard to know. I personally prefer the one you already own more- because Lurex!
I always lean towards not buying but then I have so much choice already. No pants suits though, and you would wear both if they feel different enough… I’m no help sorry!

anchie

Veteran

You raised many valid points. I haven’t decided yet but I am leaning towards returning. If I did not already own Dondup suit, I would keep for sure. But now I feel I would prefer something more distinctly different. On the other hand, my DH and DD like it a lot and think it is not similar to the other suit at all.

RobinF

Veteran

To me the Boss looks a little more casual with the topstitching and pocket flaps. But only you can say if they will get enough wear if you have both. It looks like they both fit you really well so that isn't a factor.

lyn67

Veteran

I love the Dondup better-not only for the shine:-) but has a leaner, longer front cut on the blazer and no standing out visible buttons (which can mess with some future stylings), but if there is place for both...:-))

DonnaF

Veteran

Have you consulted yet with a tailor on the Dondup pants and been reassured about the success of an alteration?

I have no answer for you regarding the Boss suit. I don’t think photos really show have different the fabric may look IRL. And in the end, it’s an emotional decision, right?

LAR101

I’m with Angie, that the Boss suit is a cut above. Personally, I would keep the Boss (finances permitting) and then decide what to do with the Dondup (keep or sell or donate).

I think you wear both well.

Personally for me, the Boss blazer is a HEWI. I’m always looking for the shorter wider lapels to balance my bust and avoiding those ‘ leaner, longer front lapels like on the (Dondup) blazer’ that do not follow the curve of my hourglass bustline. I wish I looked good in them, Alas it is not to be.

I do think you wear both well
And these are different enough to keep both. Good luck.

12