The 'church suit.' - YouLookFab Forum

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The 'church suit.'

rachylou

Veteran

So... I have discovered I can no longer walk into a store and get a nice, normal 'church suit.' Ok, maybe my pic no. 2 isn't that normal... But you know, a suit that's a suit but doesn't scream office. In a pretty colour. I feel sad. And it's not like an office suit is easy to come by...well, not if Theory and Brooks don't work for you.

On that note, did a walk thru a Macy's today. Admittedly, in a downmarket mall...but hells bells, they looked like they were going out of business. Things red-tagged at prices like $13.59. The suit section had sweaters and jeans and, *like,* two of those strange, ubiquitous 'Calvin Klein' suits...

There are normal people around here. I know there are...there has to be!

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Shopping

31 replies

Latest reply was from Vildy

Bijou

Veteran

Rachy does Crew's hot pink blazers tempt you? They seem to have struck a chord as they sold out online very quickly. The suits you selected look almost retro to my eye, a sort of nod to the 40's and 50's. Alas, wearing jeans with a blazer to church is pretty dressy to many. I hope you find your perfect suit.

Style Fan

Veteran

These do look on the retro side but I have not looked for a suit in decades. J Crew's pink suit seemed "pretty". Or the dress with a matching jacket that Angie bought in the Spring from J Crew.
Kate Middleton seems to wear things like this. They must be out there.

rachylou

Veteran

I haven't seen the JCrew suit. I rarely have fit luck with JCrew. A whole hot pink suit I'd have to think about. Hot colour is, crazily, harder for me to do than, for example, the ruffles on the green suit. Altho, that green is pretty neon...not my first choice.

I was trying to track down coatdresses like Kate Middleton wears. Those are also non-existent. She wears a lot of Catherine Walker for her coatdresses - and that's fully custom. I don't know that I have the energy for custom made.

I guess it's old fashioned of me. But Kate has managed to modernize them. A far cry from the line backer look Diana sported.

rachylou

Veteran

...What I'm wanting is daytime formal, not career formal, and what appeals to me about a suit is the jacket. I run so cold.

And ya, not keen on a blazer. That's informal strictly speaking...

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Hobbs does a modern reiteration of the look well https://www.hobbs.com/en/Coord.....ces/2gify/

If the link doesn't work select clothing then coordinating pieces.

L'Abeille

Veteran

The daytime dressy suit; what I think of when I hear "ladies who lunch" (I know, we've had entire threads about the connotations of that phrase, which I'm not trying to invoke here). The classic Chanel suit comes to mind. The jackets at least are everywhere; they came around again this past spring. I had to look the other way because I already have too many that I don't wear.

What about a dress and jacket combo? I see those even in the Sears catalogue, though they seem to be targeting mother of the bride.

In the Hobbs link above, the pieces with the huge roses remind me of Pink Tartan from a few seasons back.

Now on to my own "What is this world coming to" story: I was forcing my adult daughter to go bra shopping, as one does, and it occurred to me I could use a new half slip. I asked the salesperson in the lingerie store (La Senza, kind of like Victoria's Secret but not), and she HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT!

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

LIke L'Abielle, I associate this look with "ladies who lunch" also. In the 90s, in Houston, such ladies might shop at Tootsies (a local high-end boutique). Alas, they seem to have moved on from this look -- though even if they had it their price points would have been in the thousands, so maybe not so useful anyhow.

Next stop, JC Penneys. Which did not disappoint. (I was only bummed I couldn't find a good orange or green offering to throw into the lineup below.) I haven't been in a JCP in probably two decades, but it was a big part of my Deep South childhood.

Chelsea Rose 3/4-Sleeve Jacket or Pencil Skirt

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Le Suit Long-Sleeve Ruffle Jacket and Skirt Suit Set

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Isabella Long Sleeve Striped Jacket and Skirt Suit Set

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Evan-Picone Crepe Jacket, Blouse or Pencil Skirt

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Le Suit 3/4-Sleeve 3-Button Skirt Suit

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Tanya

Veteran

I will openly admit to knowing almost nothing about this topic, in fact, I did not now know that such a thing "church suit" exists. This thread has thus been very informative for me, so thank you for starting it, Rachy!

Meredith

Veteran

I agree with Runswithscissors that you need to check some southern sources like Belk or Dillard's.

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JAileen

Veteran

1. Nobody at my church dresses like this. I haven't seen anyone dress like this in decades.
2. I think Macy's IS going out of business.
3. In my town, ladies who lunch wear jeans. They distinguish themselves with their expensive handbags.
4. Re slips: As a child I wore a full slip under my dresses. When I was older I started wearing half slips. Here on YLF people have said they didn't need a slip because their dress was lined. Horrors! I would still wear a slip under a lined dress.

El Cee

Veteran

I have, in the past, done very well at Lord & Taylor (online) for finding "church appropriate" suits.

http://www.lordandtaylor.com/w.....parel/wome

Ginger

Veteran

Another Southerner here. These looks are a LOT more common in early spring. They're Easter suits! Dillard's is particularly good. Belk's is, surprisingly, not common in my particular metro area, but it's another place to try.

You're right, Rachy, Duchess Kate typically wears coatdresses, not suits. She's worn a MacQueen pink two-piece dress that's similar in effect, but all that comes to mind so far.

If you do want to go the custom route, seek out a retro/vintage sewer. They will "get" the aesthetic a lot easier than someone who's accustomed to modern bridal or business wear.

Peri

Veteran

Absolutely southern church lady! I'm seconding or thirding the idea to check Belks or Lord and Taylor. Maybe Coldwater Creek?

But they also look very guest of a southern spring wedding, so maybe the wedding guest category of Nordstrom online?

I'm sure Kate's cost thousands. But, I think people might be surprised that the same could be said of a multitude of southern church ladies!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There are lots of options from other retailers, Rachy - as the ladies have suggested. I fancy a blue suit with the green hair.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I don't see many people wearing church suits these days. If they do I think they get them from JC Penny. I see a lot of women wearing a jersey maxi skirt, trendy shoe, cardigan, and Obi belt. A few ladies do wear church suits and hats at my church, I love that.

Echo

Veteran

Coloured suits and suits styled differently from business wear were very popular in the 1980's. Indeed, that is what many of us wore for our first interviews then! I rarely see them now except for Easter. I think they are considered primarily a seasonal item, so you may want to stock up from a place like Pennys or Dillards (the places I remember seeing them) in the spring. I bet Macy's would carry lots of them at that time, too.

However, Macy's and many department stores are in full seasonal clearance mode right now, and it can be difficult to find anything!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Hmm, I wouldn't have expected it to be so hard to find something like this. The classic Chanel-style suit, as others have mentioned, would seem great for this purpose, but I don't see them around.
Here's a "leafy lace topper" from Talbot's, shown with a solid matching skirt and shell:
https://www.talbots.com/online.....8&N=1=
Usually I would expect Pendleton to have some options, but I'm not seeing any on their website at the moment. In store, they might have more of a selection.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Rachy, try using the search term 'dress sets.' There's a lot to wade through but it seems to have brought up some similar choices from many retailers. On my phone I can't link easily, sorry, or do Finds.

Anonymous

I saw some here:
http://www.blair.com/t/womens/.....1/1424.uts

rachylou

Veteran

Thanks for the links, ladies!! And I'd love a blue suit for the green hair, Angie. That would be PERFECT.

Hobbs is brand new to me - definitely, Jules, a nicely nicely done modern version. Much better than my wacky Internet pics.

JC Penney's I searched online for - but within local parameters. I will try again.

Dillard's, which I used to go to in Arizona, doesn't exist here, nor does Belk's...

...clearly, this is a thing that will have to be sought online, unless I rally to find a seamstress (smart tip, Ginger, re a retro/vintage familiar seamstress; I'll remember that)....and will use 'dress set' to search (had not thought of that one!).

Last but not least: I am hoarding three half slips, one which was my mother's from the 60s...or possibly 50s! I have had that experience of sales associates looking at me blankly on the subject and showing me shapewear instead...shudders!

Sal

Veteran

I think vintage could be the way to go....

I do know what you mean - my Grandmother used to buy a new Church Suit every year - she would still wear the older ones but have a new favourite. I have strong memories of a soft lavender one which was striking with her iron blue perm.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, lavender with blue would be lovely. I tried to get blue added to my green, but my girl is not very good...lol. The blue became green, lol.

Staysfit

Veteran

Someone already said it, but I received a catalog ad from Jc Penny's for Labor Day and it had pictures of those colorful suits on the front cover. Your timing is perfect. Just fly out here, immediately!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I was going to call them Easter suits, too. When I lived in Philly, Easter suits with hats were an awesome thing.

Angela K

Veteran

Rachy try belk.com. You should definitely be able to find your suit there.

chadya

Veteran

@Rachylou

I am with you on the slips, I have some and wear them with dresses/skirts in the summer.
I wish they would make a comeback, l have seen women wearing a tight dress with nothing underneath but underwear, have to bite my tongue from saying wear a slip, it would be so much more flattering

Do women buy suits sets anymore? I haven't seen any in a long time

Glory

Veteran

Suits seems to be few and far between. When I had to travel to an actual office Business wear was mandatory and by that it meant: suit, pantyhose and closed toe pumps. Suits in every hue and fabric were available in every women's store from modest to mega dollar price ranges. I had a stunning collection. I hung on to my suits for a long time thinking they would come back into style but alas they have not and I have donated my final suit just last week.

Anonymous

And of course, Talbots has some, too --

https://www.talbots.com/online...../_/N-10463

Vildy

Veteran

Don't know if your example pix are from Ashro but they have a catalog - and online - full of this style of suit. This is what Black women wear to church in my city and I know because I see them after church at the supermarket or the diner - well, before both of those closed.

On Sunday a battered pickup truck with a frame over the bed pulled up and a very elderly gent got out, dressed in an immaculately tailored light brown suit with a straw boater hat. He went to the house across the street where they have several small children but only one came out. A little girl, about five years old, in the widest, fluffiest pink little girl's church dress. He must have been her great-great-grandfather. Where does anyone buy little girls' dresses like this anymore? It was definitely not a Disney princess dress. They both looked amazing.

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