new and need petite suite advice

OctoberMary

A few months ago I bought a new to me suit at a consignment shop. It was a bit of an impulse purchase but I was on the market for a new one, the price was right, I liked the color, etc. I need to wear the suit in the next few weeks and now I'm revisiting it.

I feel like the jacket is too long even though this is a petite sized suit. Any thoughts? I'm new so I can't upload photos to this, but you can see how it fits here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3.....652338004/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3.....651238021/

I'm very short- almost 5'1" but not quite, with short legs. My plan is to have the pants tailored- definitely hemmed and maybe have the legs slimmed a bit.
(please ignore the wrinkles and the bad posture- it was late!)

12 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

missvee

Veteran

I see what you mean about the length but without extensive tailoring I'm not sure what you can do. It has the look of a boyfriend style jacket so it may work better with jeans or casual pants. Would wearing heels with the trousers help do you think?

12 years ago

OctoberMary

Member

I'm hoping heels will help!

12 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. That jacket is a tough call. There is the relaxed boyfriend look... and then there is the look of flat-out having a jacket that is a little too big in the waist and too long in the sleeves, for a professional setting. Just my opinion.

Like Missvee says, the jacket may work better with casual stuff, if you like the boyfriend/loose fit trend. But if you want to wear it for work, and look like a serious professional person, instead of being treated like an adorable little cutie, the jacket should be tailored. I don't know about altering the length, but the waist should be brought in a bit, and the sleeves shortened.

If money is an issue, I would say, hem first. Hem the pants, hem the cuffs of the jacket.

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Why are you in the market for a suit? For casual wear, I think some tailoring would help. For professional wear or an interview, I am not sure this is the right suit.

Angie highly recommends Express if you are in the market for a good suit (yes, I know, juniors store, but they have a remarkable suit selection). And I believe they carry petites. If you can, wait for a sale, they regularly run 40% or so off of their suiting.

Ann Taylor is another good suit choice, but they are pricier. They are currently running a 30% off everything sale.

12 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Do you like where the jacket hits you? It's hard to tell if it is flattering for your proportions because I can't see your whole body from head to toe. I am also very petite. I feel like the boob darts may not be in the right place for you. What do you think? That is a big tailoring job.

12 years ago

annaj

Veteran

I feel like it is just a little too big all over. I agree that taking the hems up (sleeves and trousers) would be a great first step, but I'm not sure that I would take the trousers in. With a looser fitting jacket, I think the trousers might look out of place if they were a slimmer fit. I wonder if the jacket needs to be taken in a little bit first.

My suggestions would be:

1. Hems - sleeves and trousers
2. Take jacket in if necessary
3. Consider trouser width
4. Consider jacket length

I think if you have to pay someone to do all of that you will end up paying the same as you would for a new suit (the others had suggestions of budget friendly options). In which case, I think these pieces would be great as separates. Have you tried the pants/jacket with other pieces in your wardrobe? Perhaps a slimmer fitting jacket with the trousers, and some skinny pants with the jacket. That might also give you a better idea of whether tailoring is worth it!

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the others. The fit on the suit does not look right overall. So it would be a big job to make the alterations. If it is just for casual wear then it's probably not worth it and if you need an interview suit then perhaps it would be better to try some others out?

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I too feel it's a little big overall. Re. the jacket, I think the larger width is more awkward than the length.

I personally feel it's really hard to find a well-fitting suit. I figure I'd be doing extensive alterations anyways. You might want to take it to a tailor and see what they say, because luck may be hard to come by finding a suit.

In fact, I went to Neiman's last week. I thought the salesclerk had abandoned me, she was gone so long looking for some suits for me to try on. They had only two designers making "proper" suits, Theory and Elie Tahari. She struck out on Theory and came back with an unlined Tahari (gross).

12 years ago

OctoberMary

Member

Thanks everyone for the speedy advice. I think I'm going to try to salvage the pants for more everyday wear.

I may wear a different suit. I was reluctant to do that because the jacket on my older suit just barely won't button (at least when I tried it on a few months ago) but I think it will be a better option than trying to find another suit on short notice and have it tailored.

12 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Women don't always button their jackets; in fact some never do. How does your jacket look UNbuttoned? If it looks fine, don't worry about it.

12 years ago

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