To suit or not to suit - that is the question. - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

To suit or not to suit - that is the question.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I was looking into some charcoal dress slacks over the last few weeks when I got to thinking about a full suit. I live a casual life, but every once in a while I need dressier items and since purging my velvet Editors, I do not have dress pants. I also have found on occasion, a basic blazer would have come in handy. I have a crop tux jacket, and a teal velvet blazer, etc. You get the idea . . . not quite basic enough for some dressy occasions, like a job interview, or heaven forbid, a funeral.

If I buy a suit, it would be my one and only for the next 8, 10 years. So the question is should I go for a suit, or simply get separates like a charcoal pant and black blazer? And, if I go for a suit, should it be as basic as possible or is finding one with details that excite me fine? I worry that basic will just bore me, but I also worry that the details might date faster. Here's what I'm looking at to give you an idea:

basic http://www.ebay.com/itm/260989.....486wt_1054
fun details http://www.ebay.com/itm/270953.....7104wt_821

Also, there is the possibility that this is more fantasy life than reality for me, and I could just continue to cobble together 'acceptable' outfits for these rare occasions in my life . . .

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

jayne

Veteran

I vote for separates as this allows you to use them and switch out one or the other guilt free IF you get bored

And yes, take the time and do this while you have the inspiration and energy. Don't wait for the next reason to make you rush!

rae

(website)

Veteran

As a corporate banker, even I very rarely have to wear a suit these days. It's the times, and it's California. Knowing how infrequently you need to be dressy and also that you are on SYB, I would vote to wait to find separates that are perfect, excite you, and can be dressed down. Cobbling is A-OK IMO.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I agree that separates are more flexible. I would certainly want there to be something in the detail that was a little special if possible.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the reality check, Rae! I do think a charcoal pant to start would be both affordable and more likely to be remixed and worn with my lifestyle. Even before I find the right blazer, I could use my teal one for now, or a cardigan over a white button front. And with my budget in mind, $30 pants sounds a lot more doable!
See, this is what happens when I start to over think my dressy capsule needs. Must remember - I live in the mountains. I work in food & beverage. How often do funerals and job interviews really happen?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Exactly what Rae said!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Not sure. Seems more fantasy lifestyle stuff to me. Realistically no suit is going to last you 10 years. Women's clothes date faster than that. How about a cute perfect black blazer that you could wear with lots of other stuff like jeans and over dresses?

Jonesy

Veteran

I agree with everyone else about the versatility and practicality of separates.

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I can't see much need for a suit, since I go to court on a pretty regular basis for volunteering and the one time I wore a suit I felt very overdressed. But, if you find a truly fabulous suit that you love, i say go for it and definitely use the jacket and pants/skirt as separates.

MsMary

Veteran

I saw this thread title and I immediately thought, "Mo is the LAST person I know of who needs a suit!" LOL I work in the court system and even I never wear a suit any more.

OTOH, that Banana jacket and pants in the eBay listing look fab and if you think they would fit you, they look like they would each be a good workhorse separate piece for you.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I hear ya Mary K - I knew my title might set off alarm bells! lol
I did think of them as working separately as well, obviously. For now I'll settle with charcoal slacks.

Deborah

Veteran

Looks like you have made your decision Mo so i will just say your decision sounds like a good one. I do like the idea of having asuit in the closet for the occasions you mention, however separates will work just as well. A suit that can work well as separates also can be a good investment but only if you wear it. I am thinking of how Angie dresses down her pant suit and how versatile it can be. Having said that, a suit can be something you add to your closet further down the track. Charcaol pants should be very a very smart and versatile addition to your wardrobe.

Dashrashi

Veteran

I really don't think you need a suit. I wear suits regularly and I find the pieces too dressy or matchy somehow to use as separates. I prefer standalone blazers and/or skirts and pants as separates. That said, my favorite suit is my Banana Republic black wool suit (the one linked to above) and I do wear those pieces as separates more often than my other suiting pieces.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

If you were going to get a suit, and I'm not sure it's necessary - I like the first, more conservative option. I think it would look great on you.

Having said that - I'd go for some nice charcoal grey dress pants and keep your eye out for some fun details jackets.

sarah

Veteran

Agreeing with everyone else! I bought a suit a few years ago because I had a training session in DC where everyone has to wear a suit. I spent a lot of money and it's already dated, and I only wore it about 3 times. Go with the separates!

Anonymous

Just chiming in to say I know how you feel! I'm the other last person in the world who needs a suit, but my business-y separates are lousy fitting and if I were to buy new ones, it might be nice if they could be worn together as a suit. Looking at the CPW shook the cobwebs from my brain, but I just wanted to say I feel ya.

catgirl

Veteran

Mo, I'm with MaryK here. I've put my suit idea on hold because I haven't found the right fabric yet. However, even I don't technically need a suit even for court. For you and your current lifestyle, separates will give you the joys of a suit and the flexibility of multi-use pieces. Let me know if you want to come to court with me!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Okay, want to know what's funny - about 12 years ago I managed to somehow accrue 3 pant suits, a skirt suit, and a dress with matching jacket. All terrible, polyester, $30 numbers.
I certainly didn't need any of them then lol!! I did wear the red faux suede suit at the bar for the millennial New Years and a Mardi Gras, though.
I seem to have this weird pull to tailored items, in small doses.
Oh, and the eBay size 2 Anne Klein suit has 40" hips on the pant. Really?

PS Una, I try my best to stay out of court

Anonymous

The charcoal pants sound like a good solution and something you can wear more ways. You must look fantastic in trousers with those long legs! You might watch for blazers at thrift stores. I've bought three nice ones that way and have had to force myself not to even look at them anymore when shopping.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Mo, I think I agree with everyone else --- if you're already good for toppers, and sounds like you are, separates are the way to go. You'll be able to change them up more than once a decade, perhaps, and don't risk getting bored with something you've hardly worn nor of finding they're outdated or outsized.

I did make that mistake myself, buying the just-in-case suit, and even though I chose the least corporate-seeming suit I could, in more casual colour and cut, I was done with the pants by the time I'd worn them thrice!

christieanne

Veteran

I like to have a suit for some work occasions (like if the CEO comes to visit the place or something) but dressy separates work 99% of the time. Even to a funeral, I would wear modest separates together (charcoal slacks and teal blazer would work for that!).

My suit jacket is at tailor and I had an unplanned job interview tomorrow, so black slacks, charcoal blazer will do. It seems more modern when in so many places men aren't wearing full suit. If guys aren't , why are women?

anne

Veteran

Mo, I wanted to say that I do really understand the appeal of suits too! The pull of tailored items is real. I think you have sensible advice here though.

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this: If you have matching suit pieces and want to keep them matching (vs. one piece slightly faded/lighter), it is best always to dry clean them together. Should you find you wear one piece a lot more than the other or that it becomes soiled more quickly, maybe around the neck or cuffs, you would be cleaning the other piece unnecessarily.

Jackets change in length, size of lapels, and degree of shoulder padding. I have thrifted a few as well as bought a couple of summer weight ones at Ross. Maybe whenever you find yourself in a more urban area with thrift and consignment stores, you can make it a point to check them out? You will find *your* jacket/blazer when you least expect it.