Why not a suit?? - YouLookFab Forum

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Why not a suit??

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

This is mostly curiosity on my part but I was reading Mo's thread about purchasing a suit and am a bit confused as to why separates are more versatile than a suit. The way I see it, the suit can be worn together as a matching suit for the more formal events/occasions or it can be split apart and worn with the pieces that would comprise the separates equivalent, i.e., grey suit jacket with navy or brown pants or grey suit pants with navy or brown jacket. The separates can be worn with other separates but will never be a suit. Doesn't this make the suit more versatile as it does everything the separates do but with the added feature of being a suit?

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the definition of separates but I assumed that it was the pieces that normally are a suit but in different brand, fabric, color, etc.

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14 replies

Latest reply was from Mamapicklejuice

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Excellent question Dianthus - I'll look forward to reading the replies. I'm actually one of the people who recommended separates and now I'm not even sure why!

Emily

Veteran

I think coordinating separates, for example charcoal pants and a black blazer, would be more practical for the following reasons:

1. They can be worn alone or together as a formal suit-like ensemble
2. They do not need to be purchased at the same time, so you have more leeway to look for pieces that fit well and within your budget
3. If they are worn and washed separately they will not look mismatched due to fading

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Emily, that makes sense! I have a feeling finding pants might be pretty easy, since I luckily seem to be built like the size charts. But a jacket is where I need to look for higher armholes and a tailored enough waist, etc. It's also where I'll likely seek more 'personality' in the look and therefore might take some time to find one that's just right. And the fading issue hadn't really occurred to me . . . I don't know how unevenly I would wear the pieces or not, honestly. Food for thought!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Dianethus, I agree with you - for some people. I argued against a suit for Mo because, even split up, I didn't feel that the plain, dressy suit pieces would get tons of use in her daily life. For a causal lifestyle, it was my opinion that she would get more use out of a fun blazer that could be dressed up for the two-odd days a year when it needs to be.

This was based on my own experience... I have to be sort of dressy, but I still hardly ever use my suits pieces now, even remixed. They just feel too stuffy for my workplace and not "me." However, someone with dressier needs and a more classic style might find a suit very handy and get tons of use out of it!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Rae, you are absolutely right that I might wear said pieces only half a dozen times each per year. Now, for a gal who works in an office that number would be much, much higher and it might make a lot more sense.
I am eyeing the Gap modern boot pant right now in charcoal

Sylvie

Veteran

There's nothing that looks quite like a high quality suit. You can put separates together and get a suit-like effect, but it's not a suit.

By the same token, when you take the high quality suit parts and pair them with other clothes, they still look like parts of a suit that have been mismatched, at least to my eyes.

IMO, there are very few occasions left where one really needs the look of a high quality suit. A suit-like effect is good enough, which is why I think separates are more versatile.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

If you NEED a suit, you need a suit that matches top and bottom...same fabrication, same color. Even blacks can look different. Some blacks are greyer; others are bluer. Different fabrics make colors look different too...shiny-ness, texture, etc.

I wear suits to court--I'm not even an attorney, but as part of the "trial team" I have to look like a team member. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen any counsel in non-matched suits when in court here. Depositions are different and, while formal occasions, they're not as formal as court appearances. So, I have seen women in non-matched (but coordinating) jackets and bottoms.

I'm surprised by how many of you mentioned you never need to wear suits--different worlds!

I do buy suits and wear them as suits, but I also just wear the jacket or just the skirt on various occasions.

Most people in most professions probably don't need a suit-y suit, and knowing Mo, I just don't imagine a suit being a very useful item to her. Dressy separates--absolutely! They're more fun anyway

Deborah

Veteran

All good points, I think it depends on lifestyle and need. Generally I am a supporter of the suit however in Mo's case her lifestyle doesn't really demand it. For me a suit would be worn equally as a suit and as separates.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I don't have a suit right now, but I miss them. I don't need a suit at the moment, but having one on hand sure comes in handy.

I always make a point to dry clean both pieces at the same time, and have to say that I agree with you dianthus in that you can get a lot of use/versatility from a suit - the jacket can be worn with other outfits, same with the pants and/or skirt.

My suits have even served as a last-minute 'formal' outfit when I didn't have a fancy gown - and they dress up quite well.

I slimmed down out of my last suit, and haven't yet gotten around to replacing it. My lifestyle at the moment doesn't really require a suit, but I have to be honest - having one or two on hand, even if you don't really need them, has definitely helped in those situations where you need to be a bit dressed up.

Even if you don't need a suit for work/business purposes, it will still serve as a wonderful addition to one's wardrobe.

A few non-corporate examples:

#1 - the first time I went on a cruise, there were three formal nights and I just didn't have that many formal/party dresses - I took a suit, and wore it with a silk shell and threw on some pearls. Had my hair done at the salon on the ship and felt great.

#2 - sudden funeral - didn't have quite the appropriate outfit, but a suit worked well. Add a simple black or white blouse and it's workable.

#3 - business dinner with my husband - had to be dressed up, but once again, didn't have quite the right dress or outfit - a suit really came in handy - this time it was an eggplant sleeveless wrap top under the jacket and pants, some nice shoes and simple pearl stud earrings - I was good to go.

#4 - a dressed-up engagement party - thew on the pinstripe suit pants, black cashmere sweater, a 'statement' necklace, some pretty shoes and it worked. Very comfortable!

Just some food for thought - you don't have to "need" a suit to appreciate having a suit or two in your wardrobe.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I think I voted separates too, and my reasoning was also (apart from her not *needing* a suit per se) budgetary and orphan-related. It may be difficult to get a really great suit that's going to make your heart light and last 10 years into the future on a modest ticket; BUT that same amount will get you a pair of better pants, which would go with the blazers she *already had* but didn't have great partners for, if I recall right? And most of us don't expect pants to last 10 years either... Better use of her dollars, IMO.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I voted separates too and I know it is what *suits* me best! I don't really want my jackets to completely match my bottoms. I like a mismatched look!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't thinking about Mo's situation in particular. I absolutely understand that suit do not suit everyone or every lifestyle but it was the general opinion that separates are more versatile that I didn't get - I must admit I still don't.

christieanne

Veteran

It is easier these days to be a matched suit but in separates format as places like Ann Taylor, Talbots, even the Gap are selling pants and jackets that match but you buy each piece alone so if you need different sizes or even trouser style you can do that.
In the past, if you needed a suit you could be frustrated trying to fit into a matched set that didn't really fit well.
I think a suit is a great option and can be split up but it really depends on lifestyle.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I think nothing quite replaces a matched suit for versatility. Worn together, you are polished, broken up and worn separately you have relaxed chic. You do your best to dryclean them equally, but if they eventually no longer match (through years of wear) so what? Then you end up with separates and go buy yourself a new suit!

I love velvetychocolate's list of non-corporate ways to wear a suit - I so want one!