Shopping Conundrum: Bought a blazer. Do you buy waistcoat & pants? - YouLookFab Forum

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Shopping Conundrum: Bought a blazer. Do you buy waistcoat & pants?

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I bought a wide chalk stripe navy blazer at the Ralph Lauren store when it was on sale. I asked the SA about a waistcoat/vest and pants and she said there had been these items in stock, but she didn't push it and said never to wear them all together. I had to agree with her, as I didn't want a fully-suited look that seems dated.

Then, I started thinking that it might be nice to have these items, if on sale, but I've never actually seen them in person and I don't even know the price. The manager called yesterday and said the waistcoat is available in Fla. and the pants from No. Cal.

I don't want to do something foolish here. Should I just pass on these two pieces or are they items that deserve even a look? I don't want to pursue this if getting matching pieces isn't a true necessity. The blazer is nice and I plan to wear it, as shown, with white jeans, trousers, dark wash denim, red pants (?), not sure about pencil skirts (as I have black, yellow and cobalt blue). Your thoughts on this shopping conundrum when it comes to jackets, pants, skirts, waistcoat/vest pieces? Thanks!

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I just bought my first suit in decades a few months ago . . . and I may never wear it together but I like that I have that option should I need to!
I also bought a white blazer last week and put the skirt in the cart while I was at it. I figured it couldn't hurt, but the skirt ended up a no go. Again, having the option is kinda nice even if you rarely end up pairing them together.
Not sure on the waistcoat, as that is a piece I've never been able to wear myself, although I do see them on men this year.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

It may be nice to have the trousers for more formal occassions. Could you see yourself mixing the trousers with other things in your wardrobe through the fall?

Glory

Veteran

I agree that the trousers might be nice to have and could be mixed with many items perhaps. If they are a classic cut they would be a staple.

Gaylene

Veteran

Unless you work in a very conservative environment, I'd pass. I've fallen into that trap of thinking it might be useful to have all the pieces because you see that sort of thing as a basis for so many clothing capsules. But inevitably, for me at least, those extra pieces end up gathering dust on the hanger.

Maybe apply Angie's Three Step Item-Outfit-Capsule thinking to each of the individual pieces to help you decide?

I love the way you're styling the blazer. It looks like a winner!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Thanks! All four of you have given me some really good advice and things I hadn't thought of. It's back to the closet to rethink this and I will see what may work with the trousers and also find out their cut. I don't work any longer, so I don't have any particular environment that requires this type of dress. However, it would be appropriate for more formal occasions, but, those, too, are few and far between.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hm, tough to say. Angie has said she's really into suits a couple of times lately, and I remember she dressed hers down with casual belts and shoes. And she isn't in the corporate world, clearly.

Would you ever wear the pieces together for fun in this way? Might you need a suit for a photoshoot or audition?

ETA Angie's suit posts:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/.....d-up-suit/

http://youlookfab.com/2012/06/.....tty-shoes/

http://youlookfab.com/2008/12/.....-the-suit/

Inge

(website)

All very good points. I agree that it might be very useful to use three-step decision making process here.

The blazer looks stunning on you, and I love the idea of this colour and the pinstripe for a full suit. I believe you were thinking about getting a suit a while ago, Vicki? Then the matching trousers are definitely worth a look.

I love the idea of wearing a suit in a more casual way, and also like wearing the blazers and trousers separately. If that's something you enjoy too, then your suit will immediately become more versatile (as opposed to "for formal occasions" only).
E.g. You could wear the trousers with a fun sweatshirt, as described in Angie's blog post yesterday.

Do keep us posted!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It looks like a lovely jacket, Vicki.

I would be tempted to buy the trousers....think of Angie's pinstripe pantsuit. http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/.....d-up-suit/

And speaking for myself, the waistcoat would be a fun addition, too. Kari wears hers brilliantly, and I believe Sveta has one, too. I don't own such a thing and have been wanting one, but then I am a sucker for a menswear look.

Is it possible to order and TRY them or are you committed to buying if they bring them in? It never hurts to try.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

First, you look stunning, Vicki! I see that we are are SW ballet flat twins

Second, I bat for Team Suit because it's a funky '70s look that comes in very handy - especially when you run cold like I do and don't want to wear a dress.

Third, I wear my new suits as separates all the time.

Fourth, what Rae, Inge and Suz said.

Fifth, proof that I am a suit gal. If I could get my hands on an apple green suit right now, I would add it to my wardrobe.

Photos #4 and #5 are from 2008. That is an old suit that I still wear from time to time.

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Vicki

(website)

Veteran

More stellar suit advice from you Rae, Inge and Suz and the links are outstanding! Moments ago, the SA just called and said that she's checking on the price and availability from yesterday as there is only one of my size in inventory. She did tell me that I could return it if it doesn't work out, so that's reassuring. Auditions and shoots have been sparse, so I don't want to count on that.

I love the way Angie dressed down her grey suit with the brown accessories and gold pendant. It was a brilliant idea and Inge, yes, wearing these items as separates and in a more casual way is more my style. So, I'm still intrigued and thinking seriously about it. Like you Suz, I'm a sucker for a menswear look, too!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Vicki, we posted at the same time!! HAHAHAHAHA.

jayne

Veteran

I would totally buy the entire thing. I 'feel' that suits are making a comeback and I have seen more and more signs that a vest/jacket in matching material will be in soon or at least, ok to use again. I am actually considering to start searching for such!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Angie, you make me smile and laugh at the same time, which is a very good thing! HA! Yes, we are shoe twins and I even ordered the gunmetal snake ones from your NAS list, because they are so comfortable, and I found I kept wearing the first pair, which I also just bought a few weeks ago! Your photos sell a suit and I took the plunge and ordered both the pants and the waistcoat. Thank you for taking the time to post these photos, which you know, I will copy in some fashion, like I have before, and will again!

Jayne, it was great to hear that suits are making a comeback and, deep down, like you, I wanted to buy the entire thing. I hope you find exactly what you're looking for and that there's an apple green suit for Angie.

Jonesy

Veteran

If budget is not an issue and you are really wanting to go for it, then go for it! It would look gorgeous on you, and it does seem very versatile, and just classic enough to be enjoyed for a very long time.

Anonymous

I love me a power suit, especially given you might need certain items for a call. If your budget allows, I think is worth a look.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I love suits and I love Ralph. I have to wear suits from time to time at work, but don't mind at all. I love the idea of a 3 piece suit. You look great in the jacket and your look is so classic and elegant I can see all 3 of these pieces working for you in many ways. A vest is on my must have list for fall.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Jonesy, Zap and Jj for your words of encouragement. I'm not in the corporate world, but I do like the idea of these nice pieces as separates and even together in some upscale way. These were deeply discounted, so that helps

Anonymous

And I love, love structured waistcoats. I have two that I treasure because they are really hard to find!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Another perspective: I often buy enough fabric to make a few garments--sometimes a skirt and pants, which I clearly won't wear together, or a top and a dress. But then I can wear them with a lot of the same pieces and accessories. So it makes total sense to me that you might want a suit in a fabric that you could mix with a lot of things in your wardrobe.