Skirt suit - worth alterations? - YouLookFab Forum

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Skirt suit - worth alterations?

Astrid

Veteran

I'm still sorting through my wardrobe and I found this skirt suit from 2009 in a box. I'm wondering if alterations are worth it or not. It's all creased because it wasn't stored correctly, so you have to use your imagination a bit.

#1/2
How it sits on me right now. The skirt sits too low and looks therefore too long, the sleeves are too long and I don't like the look of the belt that came with it (you can't get rid of the belt loops).

#3-5
I pinched the waistband so that the skirt sits higher and paired it with a banded top instead, covering the empty beltloops. Thoughts?

#6/7
Sleeves shortened and skirt taken up, unbuttoned.

#8/9
Sleeves shortened and skirt taken up, buttoned.

I wonder if this could be a just in case option for funerals etc. after alterations are done. I have no clue about suits, so if this does't look right or dated please feel free to speak up.

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23 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

E

Veteran

I love the skirt! I'm no good with suits, so I can't speak so much about the blazer, but I would definitely alter the skirt if it were me.

KikiG

Veteran

At a minimum, fix the skirt. You'd love having another winter skirt. I don't think the suit is terribly dated, and it might come in handy when you finish uni.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Eva! I guess the skirt might be relatively inexpensive to alter. I think I'll have to ask what's doable.

Thanks Kiki! Not really a winter skirt though, this is rather smooth shiny lightweight fabric. Clearly meant to be corporate and only worn inside. Good point about the end of Uni, if it doesn't look too dated.

Tanya

Veteran

Another vote to alter the skirt, it is a pretty and I think it suits your style well. Not sure about the blazer, theya re always difficult for me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Nah. I vote no alterations. Expensive and with mixed results.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Tanya.

Thanks Angie. Mmh, I do think it's worth a try, if it's not too expensive? I mean I wouldn't wear it at all otherwise. My alterations place is very inexpensive. And I certainly haven't the money to spend on a new suit.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

As long as you keep your expectations low, Astrid.

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, of course. Would you think it's worth trying to shorten the sleeves too? I guess it's kind of all or nothing with a suit, right?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes. Shorten the sleeves too.

unfrumped

Veteran

I might if it is a tropical wool but probably not if it is a poly blend or something. It won't hurt to get an estimate of course, and "inexpensive" is relative--but you have to think about whether it boxes you into items that go with it instead of your deciding on your own suit capsule. The color is theoretically in your palette, but looks a bit blah--maybe it's my monitor--so a more definite color, either darker or lighter, might be better, or fabric with more life.

DonnaF

Veteran

If those are pleats on your skirt, I would think that altering to keep the pleat distance even will be mighty tricky (and expensive). I am assuming the skirt isn't lined?

After you graduate (in a year or so, right?) do you anticipate needing a suit for work or at least interviews? And is this the type of suit that hits the right note for your purpose?

In the past two years, have there been times (how many?) when you wished you had this suit available? How many times do you anticipate wearing it in the next two years?

Perhaps you can tell that I am not into having *just in case clothing* unless the item is next to free since the occasion may not present itself within the wear cycle and/or weather appropriateness of the item of clothing.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks unfrumped! Yes, it's a poly blend. It wasn't cheap, but it's definitely not expensive fabric. And I'm not thinking of building a capsule around it, I don't even know if I'm ever going to need suits for work. It would be good enough for me to have maybe one or two tops that work with it (and which could be worn with more casual skirts too). I see this more as the replacement of my current "funeral" outfit, which is the black skirt (that will need to go soon), the same top as above, the same shoes and a cheap H&M blazer.

Thanks Donna! I thought so too with my black pleated skirt recently, but she did magic and it was inexpensive too (we're talking less then 10€), so it might be worth asking. I don't think she'll touch the front and the back isn't pleated. Not sure. And no, it isn't lined. I don't think I need a suit for work, maybe for interviews. It might be nice to get something new for that, but who knows if I'd find something or have the money. I do think I would have worn this suit to the funerals, if I would have had it back then. Probably also to my sister's confirmation. I did wear it to my brother's confirmation, back then when I had no eye for fit issues.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I'm not loving it from the photos Astrid - something about the colour/fabric makes it look heavy on you I mean the suit looks heavy not you I agree with unfrumped if it's a great fabric then maybe.

Diana

Veteran

As a suit, it looks VERY conservative to me, but at the same time also not sharp enough for, say, an interview where you'd need a suit. It's more like a "going to work at a conservative government office" suit, If you know what I mean. Something about the color, I think. The pieces separately may have potential if altered though.

With a skirt suit, I find the shoe issue really problematic because you're pretty much stuck with pumps or other low vamp shoes. Pants suits IMO are a lot more forgiving of footwear as long as you get the ppl right.

Daria

Astrid you know, I would put it aside and only alter it if you really need a suit for interviews and cannot afford a new one. Depending on your field though, it might be too conservative even for interviews.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

What Diana says makes a lot of sense. I'm thinking the suit would be more of a funeral option than a work option. And for a funeral, you could probably find a dress at a thrift store that wouldn't require as much in alterations.
On the other hand, I wonder if the two pieces could work alone for other purposes. Are you thinking so? You might try the blazer with different things in your wardrobe and see if you have any desire to wear it now. That could help you decide.The skirt seems to have style potential, but there's a lot of fabric that needs to be taken out for it to work.

rabbit

Veteran

I like the front pleats on the skirt, but they don't seem to carry around to the back so I'm not as sure about it. I'm not feeling it in combination with with the jacket, and I'm not sure that the jacket would work on it's own, although I have a shaky grasp of dated-ness and jackets, they seem to 'age out' quickly. My tendency would be to thrift something for rare occasions like you describe if you don't wish to purchase something new. That way you can ensure the size is right.

rachylou

Veteran

I like the suit, but I think it would be an expensive alteration. The jacket needs altering in the body as well as the sleeves, or there's no point. And the pleats have to be redone. I think you could get a new suit for the price.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks everyone for the input! I do think I'll wait for now, I'm just going to box it again. Oh and the jacket isn't really wearable with anything else in the wardrobe, same for the skirt when it comes to different jackets. I just don't have many options anyway and they are all too different in fabric weight to look alright.

I definitely don't think that thrifting something when I need it is an option though. We don't really have thrift stores with a modern selection here. Thrifting usually means buying online and that is risky and then the pieces would probably need alterations as well (which all takes time).

Daria

Astrid - just wanted to add that if the blazer was a bit shorter, I would possibly wear it with jeans or light summer pants (e.g. linen), but if you don't wear either it's obviously not an option for you.

Gaylene

Veteran

If I didn't need a suit immediately, I'd be tempted to put the alteration money aside and keep my eye open for a jacket that could serve a more pivotal role in a tightly edited wardrobe. You've shopped wisely this past year and bought some lovely skirts and sweaters, and, in my opinion, it just makes sense to apply the same approach to a jacket.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Daria.

Thanks Gaylene! That's a good idea. I don't need anything right now, I have time to keep looking. It might be a good idea to get a blazer that works better across different pieces.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Tough call - I haven't had the best experiences with alterations so unless I can do them myself (and I can if they are simple) I would likely pass it on or maybe just do the skirt. But overall the color isn't very dynamic and it seems both long on you and too big in the waist so it seems like it would be about half the cost of buying a new skirt to alter it. I'm also not quite sure the shoulders are sitting correctly on you - they seem to be drooping just a bit downward at the outer point.