Is anyone wearing suits anymore? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Is anyone wearing suits anymore?

jenanded

Veteran

I have had a charcoal suit on my 'hole' list for several years. now.. Just found one out in the new season ranges. And then my spirits sagged. Do I really want/need a suit anymore? Sure, I have the need for something v business a couple of times a month but it just looks so jaded. Is anyone else wearing suits by choioe anymore? Last time I went to something that I would have thought was formal business the other woman looked gorgeous - in a burgundy knitted dress, nude fishnets, patent flats and a chunky knitted shawl. ... Here is the very nice, quality jacket etc. http://www.sportscraft.com.au/.....7_2815870/
If not, what sorts of alternatives are women wearing??

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Mia

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I, for one, LOVE suits. But I don't really own one. Yet. I am in the market for one...even though I do not work in an office.

I think it really depends on your style overall.

Anonymous

I think bright pant suits are on trend right now. Seems like most places of business don't require a matched neutral suit anymore, maybe just trial attorneys or bankers.

ETA: At DFS, we always try to find a matching "power suit" for a woman's job interview, that is our first choice, but if she is two different sizes on top and bottom, we'll go for separates that "go" instead of match.

Jules

Veteran

A suit is way too formal for my general style and I think of them as "uniform" for professions where they are required. However, I'll happily wear the separates. Maybe if you think of it in terms of two great-quality, great-fitting basics that go with many things in your warddrobe, and also happen to function together should you have need for that? A suit makes a great default choice for formal events such as job interviews, funerals and even weddings.

Thistle

Veteran

Suits in my part of the world are relegated to banks and lawyers. Now, I live in the Midwest, so definately not hip and trendy California to New York. We expect to see suits on interview candidates and then never again. No one, not even the loftiest of execs where I work wear suits. Sports coats maybe, but usually just really nice button downs and maybe a cashmere sweater.

If anyone ever came to work in a suit, everyone would be asking them if they were interviewing elsewhere!

kimlee

Veteran

I currently have 2 suits in my closet that I wear on a fairly regular basis as my job often requires a more formal approach to business. When I don't have to be so formal, I pair them with seperate that (as Claire said) go but don't match. For example, I love wearing my navy suit pants with a bright pink ponte knit blazer or my grey suit skit with a blush pink cardigan and tall boots.

Liz

Veteran

I feel like your answer lies in whatever it was that was causing your spirits to sag. . . .
* Did your spirits sag because you don't really want to wear suits anymore but feel like you "should"? If this is the reason, I'd go for polished separates.
*Did you spirits sag because you love suits but thought that wearing one would make you look dated or behind the times? If this is the reason, buy the suit! Love the suit!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I love suits too but all of mine are sadly too snug and I don't want to invest in new ones right now. I find a suit is an easy outfit that looks neat and professional and does NOT have to be boring. Adding a print top or great accessories makes a world of difference.

MsMary

Veteran

I wore suits for years and I am super over them. I generally prefer an unmatched jacket and skirt or pants.

I do have a black pantsuit with slouchy pants that I love and wear to the office but is not at all "business formal."

And I recently acquired an, uh, houndstooth suit that I am busting out for the first time today. Again, not exactly business formal: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-rainy-day

catgirl

Veteran

I was just going to mention MaryK!

I would love to find the right suit that can be worn together or as separates. I'm looking for something androgynous or menswear inspired and have considered gettting one made.

So I say YAY!

jenanded

Veteran

Oh you lovely people - I have tears in my eyes! Think you all nailed my feelings in different ways. I realise I USED to love a matchy suit. I am probably happy to make a capsule round a colour like charcoal but could probably leave the suit behind... And Mary K, I would be happy to rock a houndstooth number lol!! Or slouchy parts to make a montone look etc etc Yep a monotone capsule is on my keyword list not SUIT... kisses and hugs...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wear suits! And I want a cheerful Spring suit. I'm going to a wedding in July and I really want to wear a bright or pastel trouser suit.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I have a few of them - both pant and skirt suits. I'll wear one once in a while - my office sometimes has days where we will be photographed or have a special presentation. Mostly, though, I break up the pieces and wear mismatched suits. I do love the look and would never give them up entirely.

rachylou

Veteran

For me, the question does anyone sell suits anymore? And Rachel Zoe velvet rock-star suits, unfortunately, do not count.

Anonymous

I love suits! And I cherish the color and style variety that are available now. I could see wearing a suit with a brightly colored top or fun sweater so as not to look like I'm interviewing at lunchtime.

MaryK, I'm glad you linked to your houndstooth suit. It is simply amazing!!

Thistle, I visited our Midwest office recently...I can see where a full-on suit would look out of place, but I did see extremely sharp looking separates. :-p

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I love suits, but I think they are one area when you need to spend otherwise they can look a little like a bank uniform. I'm looking for an evening/tux style suit in blue.

Anonymous

I look and feel 'stiff' in a suit. I always, always break it up except for job interviews.

Anonymous

I still wear suits for recruiting events and talks. I "Zapoteefy" them , of course:)

Gaylene

Veteran

There are suits and then there are suits. I used to wear traditional business suits all the time, and they formed the core of my business/professional look.

When I lost weight and had to replace my wardrobe, I couldn't conceive of not having at least one classic suit hanging in my closet but that is pretty much where it has stayed. I make myself wear the pieces separately, but, honestly, I would have been just as happy putting the $$$ on individual pieces that gave me more pleasure. I'd only wear the pieces together if I absolutely felt I had no other alternative.

But there are suits which don't resemble the classic business suit and those, to me, would be much more fun. I'm currently considering a tuxedo pant suit for evening (just waiting for it to go on sale) and saw a soft, slouchy tweed pant suit a couple of months ago (completely out of my price range) that made me stop in my tracks, so I'm not adverse to adding an interesting suit to my wardrobe.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I just bought my first suit in a decade last spring. I have yet to wear it, but I'm so glad I have it. I think this spring I will be breaking up the pieces and wearing them separately. The only reason I did not before was a move to hot weather right after buying it. Mine is not traditionally conservative, which suits (he he) me fine.
IMO it's the kind of thing that when you need it, you can't be scampering around last minute to get one. For me, the need will likely be interviewing and that's the last thing you want to be shelling out money for and/or worried that you can't find what fits. Having one at the ready is kinda like having a funeral capsule or a wedding attendee dress - not a bad idea.

Jules

Veteran

Further to what I already said and what Mo said, in the weddings/funerals/interviews vein, my suit really was especially critical when I really didn't have a good wardrobe and wasn't that interested in shopping under pressure. I think if you already have a decent selection of separates, a suit is less critical. But having an appropriate "uniform" in the back of my closet came in handy many times when I really needed to feel, well, appropriate, and didn't have a lot of options. If you can off the top of your head think of outfits you already own that you would feel comfortable in for those occasions, you may not need a suit.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Jen, my first question is: Do you want a great suit? Will it make you feel fab or fill a hole?

I do think you should be able to use the pieces separately, too, so make sure you love the lines of each piece.

Desmo April

(website)

Veteran

I like suits as long as they aren't business formal. Think Kate Moss, Bianca Jagger or even Jennifer Anniston.

Come to think about it, I only really like pant suits.

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rute

Veteran

of course, in fact they have made a come back this season with masculine inspired outfits!

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Deborah

Veteran

Jen I don't have a proper suit at the moment but I have some separates that work as a faux suit. I love having this option in my wardrobe for when I recruit, train or do speaking engagements for work. I like to individualize the look by adding say my yellow loafers or some pattern mix. I have the luxury of wearing because I want to not because I have to.

I was actually considering a suit for a wedding in March so thrilled to see Angie's comment.

jenanded

Veteran

I am going to check out the charcoal suit I saw online IRL and see how it works... yep a tuxedo suit, bianca jagger, etc etc would be my pick any day of the week over a frock that is for sure!!!

moira

Veteran

When I feel the need to look "suited up" I prefer a sheath with a jacket to achieve the same professional look without the limited options that a suit gives.

I have a sales rep that calls periodically and I believe she always wears the same black pant suit.
She wears a crisp blouse, sky high heels, a fab bag and knockout jewelry.

I frequently wish I was wearing what she is wearing.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I think a stylish trouser suit with slim legs and well fitting jacket is current. But, if you are after something because you think you need it for business occasions you may want to reconsider...I've been interviewing and a suit has been actually INappropriate. Unless you are in a field like finance or law it's just not every really needed these days.

But, like the photos posted and moira's sales rep I think a modern cut suit that is not formal can be smashing!!

rosee

Veteran

I still have a charcoal pinstripe suit (jacket, pants and skirt) on my wish list, but I don't want to invest yet until I get back down to a reasonable weight. I have 2 too small suits, one is an espresso brown (jacket, pants, skirt) and one is charcoal (jacket, pants). Neither is too formal. I have often worn these pieces separately with other pieces that go with them to dress them down even more. I especially like the charcoal jacket because it does go great with some vintage dresses I own.

I say, carefully consider what type of suit you need and then GO FOR IT!

transition

I've been wondering the same thing myself for completely different reasons. I have a new career in sales/finance and the dress code calls for women to wear suits. But I've never worked with a woman who wore suits much at all, even though I've been in the investment field for many years (with mostly men in suits and women dressed less formally for their administrative roles). Mentions of the dress code to my friends and family elicit responses such as "no one wears suits any more." I find myself struggling with all of the basics beyond nothing too tight or too revealing . . . . because I've never seen and still don't work wear I see anyone else to show me how it's done.

I did wear an unmatched jacket and slacks earlier this week to a new-employee lunch (where I was the only female). I felt like I was underdressed for the lunch, but felt totally fab going about the rest of my day. I think this is going to be a conundrum I have for a while.(And I was the only woman I saw all day in even a jacket).

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