In Theory: Suit-buying options and colors - YouLookFab Forum

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In Theory: Suit-buying options and colors

catgirl

Veteran

So I am thinking that I'm going to try out some suits regardless of this interview, because whatever happens, it can't hurt to have one in my profession, and I've been toying with the whole perfect suit idea for 2 years anyway. It's really ridiculous that I DON'T own one, when you consider what I do for work!

Angie suggested Theory, and I trust the quality. What do we think of these two items, both of which would need to be altered? And what colors? I am leaning toward charcoal and indigo...

I know NOTHING about length of jacket, lapels, number of buttons and what they portend style-wise - would love to be enlightened!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/th.....categoryid

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/th.....tegoryid=0

Could these be so conservative they are edgy? Or made boyish?

Shopping

24 replies

Latest reply was from cinnamon fern

rae

(website)

Veteran

I think this is worth a try for sure. Love the single button closure on the blazer and the way they have styled the sleeves (obvs not for an interview, but totally cool if you want to mix up the blazer for later). The fit will determine if it is edgy, I think. Needs to be *just so* in a way I'm not sure I can articulate ATM. For some reason, I think the black reads as the least conservative color. Maybe I am biased because navy and gray are total banking colors.

kkards

Veteran

you can completly make this work to your personality by the shirt and the shoes you wear.
if you wear a basic button down, it will be conservative, but add a printed knit top or silk blouse, and you are in a completely different place. same with shoes, a basic black pump will read one way, changing it out with a colored pump, or a boot and again you have something different.

i have found that theory jackets to fit really well, with no alternations needed. (i'm 5'4), but the pants are made for women who are 6 ft.

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....6spc%3D786

K. Period.

Veteran

i agree--these can be conservative, but made edgy by how you style them. They are really nice choices. The pants might go either way, though, depending on how wide they fit. I go for a straight leg for suits because they straddle the style line between wide and skinny and therefore have greater longevity. Or a skirt. Somehow a basic suit skirt is just always that. I think it is because they are the equivalent of men's suiting.

hedgiehog

Veteran

I like both pieces...they could be styled so many ways and broken up as well. IMHO, black will offer more versatility. But the modern classic persona in me can't help liking the charcoal an navy as well. I laughed when I read rae's post....I'm a banker and am wearing a navy suit today. You crack me up, rae!

ElleH

Veteran

I have the Gabe jacket in black wool felt. With sleeves not rolled it is a plain blazer. I'm not sure if Gabe B is the same. It is a great fit, runs small, though I really think other clothes just run large. The pant looks good to me but you would need PPL & to have them hemmed for only one heel height. If you get the pants Angie has in charcoal that taper it isn't so critical. Just the slouch will vary with different footwear.

Isis

Veteran

I have loved the quality of Theory jackets, which I've tried on at the Rack.

However they are always too narrow in the shoulders----but when I size up for the shoulders, the body fit is too big.....Maybe that is an easy thing to tailor?

Hoping to learn a lot watching you find a suit!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hedgiehog, I was in wealth management for about six years... I guess it is funny because it is true! Navy and gray were super popular; never knew there were so many shades of gray.

Ariadne

Veteran

Do you have shoe plans yet?

catgirl

Veteran

Am going to Nordstrom to look for shoes. Agree black is edgiest, but I kinda like the indigo too - comments say it reads with a purple undertone, rather than navy. And I think you are right too that the "just-so" fit is what will make it more edgy/androgynous. I want it to look SHARP!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think this could definitely be a sharp, edgy look on you. It is pretty crazy that even I now have a suit, being a bartender in a CA ski town, and you, being a lawyer, don't! As Barney would say on HIMYM, "Suit up!"

rachylou

Veteran

You have to try it. I have one pair of Theory pants that I quite like, but it is THE ONLY Theory thing I've ever come away with. Everyone else looks so cool in their Theory suits, but when I put one on... it's frump-o-rama.

Thistle

Veteran

I think they are worth a try. I lean towards black for you as black, I think, is edgiest but still so appropriate.

Gaylene

Veteran

Personally, I think you need to try suits before you can figure out if they are a good fit for your shape and personality. It's easier to get an edgy, more dramatic look in specific item, but much harder in a classic suit, especially if the suit is going to be worn in a more formal setting.

That said, I think difference between gray, black, or navy is probably less important than the fabric, design, and fit when you are going for a sharper, more sophisticated look. The right suit ought to look like you and it were made to be with each other. The tailoring just tweaks the relationship.

Tanya

Veteran

Una, I have that exact same suit, both the jacket and the pants, in a black wool blend. I have bought it in 2008, worn it to bunch of interviews and other formal occasions and it still looks as good as new. Obviously I would strongly recommend it. The lining of my jacket is a fun pinstriped one that looks cool when the sleeves are rolled. If you want I can take some pictures when I get home tonight and post them for you here.

cciele

Veteran

I think perfect fit can lead to edginess. Even if the cut is conservative, with a perfect fit it will look like part of you. For some reason, I'm thinking of talk show hosts wearing their custom-tailored suits interviewing someone with perhaps an off-the-rack suit. Similar conservative style, but the fit makes all the difference.

Good luck with the search!

harmonica

Veteran

fun, fun, fun! I think you could totally rock a suit like this and will be stalking you for styling inspiration!! Ok - I realize you need to get it first.. My only experience with theory is a silk top which is really nice and great quality. I've found dresses hard to fit because I have a short waist

DonnaF

Veteran

In terms of indigo vs. navy vs. black: I would see how each of those colors plays with your various bottoms and jackets (assuming you also want to break up the suit) before making a final decision. Sometimes what works beautifully in our head (or at least mine!) is less successful IRL.

catgirl

Veteran

Wise comments here! I stopped by the consignment store to drop stuff off and found a pair of brown Theory pants which I was able to try on for size. Good thing because now I know what to order at least in the pants. Which ones does Angie have? It might be worth getting two pairs of pants and one jacket. Not sure a skirt will get as much use.

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, and Tanya, I'd love to see pix of you - will give me an idea of how this would fit me!

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Una, so here are the photos I have promised you. The first one shows how I wore the suit to the interviews - ultra conservative with white shirt and black pumps. The second and third show how I wore it recently when helping organize a dance competition - with sequined top, studded sandals and pushed up sleeves to show the pretty pinstripe lining. You can compare the jacket open and cosed as well.
On sizing: I am normally a 2 and most of my Theory pieces are size 2. However, this suit is not. I was convinced by the sale associate to size up in the pants to 4, and have the waist nipped in. These achieved a looser fit through the legs and and I am glad I did that. However, she also convinced me to size down in the jacket to 0 to achieve a more fitted look through the body. That indeed happened, but the jacket is a bit snug around the armholes - nothing tragic, but I regret doing that. In retrospect, I should have gone with my usual 2 and had the torso nipped in.
Also, please ignore the PPL issue at the moment. I have dropped the suit for dry cleaning and to fix a hem that unraveled during all that dancing, and my silly dry cleaner hemmed them almost an whole inch shorter when he was only supposed to fix the hem. Luckily the material is still there so I have to bring them back again the rehemm them to the original length.

Let me know if you have any questions and hope this helps!

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catgirl

Veteran

Tanya, that helps a lot! You look fantastic, as I expected you would.

I actually was able to get to Nordstrom this evening and try on several items - none exactly what I wanted but gave me an idea of sizing. And I am a 6 in bottoms and an 8 in the jacket (mostly due to shoulder fit)! The sizing is giving me a bit of body dysmorphia. For comparison, in a Lafayette 148 jacket I comfortably fit a size 2. ARGH!

I also decided NOT to go with black as the pants were covered in lint just from trying them on in the dressing room, and I have a white dog and grey cat. I saw the indigo and it's gorgeous, but for a first suit I've decided to go with charcoal.

The pants had about a foot of extra length, of course, but that can be fixed.

Remind me of how tall you are again? I think you're at least 6 inches taller than me. These suits are MADE for you!

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you Una! Please do not worry about the sizing, the jackets are tight in the shoulders and I had to size up in pants too. And charcoal sounds like a great choice, especially considering your pets.

I am 5'6", but with short legs - about 2'' too short for my height. Originally I had 1-2" chopped off the length prior to this recent dry cleaner fiasco. The pants were hemmed for 2" heels.

K. Period.

Veteran

Una, I'm so happy to hear that you are going with charcoal. It is a great, classic color. I buy it too because it hides pet hair (and my own shedding issues). I think it is a more functional choice than black and a more classic choice than indigo. I can't wait to see it on you!

cinnamon fern

Veteran

AG, seriously, don't worry about the sizing! Just think of it as further randomness of American retail. Or so I tell myself in similar situations.

The suit will be fab.