Would you wear a plaid suit?

JAileen

I bought this Blackwatch jacket and pants during Macy’s Black Friday sale. The pieces seem very well made, but are not wool as you might have expected, they are polyester, rayon and spandex. I love Blackwatch and have a wool coat, down vest, and sweater all in this pattern. I used to have a bathrobe, too. When I got the suit pieces, I tried them on and showed my husband. He could barely stop laughing. He thought I looked like Nicholas Lowry, the guy on Antiques Roadshow. The next day, I wore the jacket, with dark wash jeans and a navy turtleneck sweater. I didn’t wear the pants because they need hemming, not because of my husband’s reaction to the suit. My husband thought this outfit was fine. He thought it looked like me. Would you wear a plaid suit? Should I keep the pants? Ordinarily, I ask my husband for his opinion and then ignore it. He’s used to this. But Nicholas Lowry, well, that’s a lot of look. What do you think? I’m sorry I didn’t take any pictures of me wearing the suit, or of the alternate outfit.

Link to the jacket:

https://www.macys.com/shop/pro.....9&

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6 days ago

Shopping

40 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

SW Ann

Veteran

Oh, come on.....There is NO WAY that black watch plaid suit could ever look like that yellow suited guy. I have worn a brighter than black watch plaid suit, but confess it has been many years because I have not found a plaid I like on me recently. I find this plaid to be subtle and attractive. I don't know how you feel in the pieces together, but if you like them, please wear them. I wore my plaid suit more often "broken up" but did wear them together sometimes. Women complimented me--men, not so much! HA!!

6 days ago

LJP

Veteran

Well, this is a tough question. It's very personal, and everyone reading this will have a different reaction. I personally wouldn't wear a plaid suit like this, because it doesn't fit my lifestyle , fabric/composition or my style preferences. That said, with statement-making outfits, it's all in the styling. I bet it would look great with a silk cami, some sort of dressy shoe/boot/sandal , lots of diamond jewellery and a red lip. For a holiday party look, that is. You could also style it with a RL bear sweater/tshirt and white sneakers and go for a preppy casual look.

6 days ago

Sloper

Veteran

It’s a lovely suit!! I would wear it, and it is so versatile as mix and match pieces too.

Why do husbands say these things?

I used to have a gorgeous plaid suit for work. A summer-weight wool in a pale blue/tan glen plaid.

6 days ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I think that particular plaid is more subtle and “ neutral” than most.
I’d go more on whether the 2 pieces ( of course each piece needs to fit,) have a good fit on you AND the right proportions , whether it’s figure- flattery or some aspect of style.
I say that because I seldom can find a suit or coords that work on me, even if sold as separates ( a 2- piece suit never, since I’d take a larger pant size than jacket) sometimes even if each piece fits. Pants fit and volume, jacket length, might look good together on the model but not me. But if each item fit great and the fabric— whether plaid, or tweed , or solid worked lots of other items, I’d consider getting them as separates anyway.

So that’s roundabout way of saying, don’t buy both pieces just because, hey, they match,do buy both if you see good ways to wear them separately ,don’t be afraid to wear the combo if you feel great in how it looks as a suit ( try looking at it as not- plaid- does it look polished and smart?

6 days ago

Irina

Veteran

I would wear it, in theory, probably in smaller print and definitely not polyester.

Styling is important in the case of a bolder look - other items should be simple, imo.

6 days ago

Dee

Veteran

If I had the right occasion, I'd wear it together. I think its really sharp combination and as plaids go, this one is pretty subdued and rather elegant. Definitely nothing like that loud yellow plaid suit that's for sure. I can see it easily being worn as separates too.

6 days ago

Roberta

Veteran

In a heartbeat, especially in black watch, which I love. I would consider silver or pewter shoes with it. I had a Glen Plaid suit and wore it together and as separates for years, but the pants became a bit tight, so now I only have the jacket.

6 days ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Actually, I love LJP’s 2 contrasting styling suggestions. The not- tame fancy styling, and the graphic sweater or T and tennies out to lunch or to grocery store. I also love that casual stying with jeans.
Agree either way Irina that the fabric could also be a deal- breaker. There are some poly- rayon casual suiting fabrics that drape pretty well, and of course work better in warmer winters. But sometimes I would need a more “ forward” pattern or color to be in a really good fabric. Then of course I might not want to pay for it.

It also gets down to just whether you’ll wear it ( them) enough. The blazer is probably easier to work with because, jeans, dark trousers.

6 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

JAileen, fun suit! Tommy Hilfiger makes fab items, and I bet you rock the look. I'd love to see it on, and know how much you like a blackwatch tartan. This is a relatively quiet plaid! Fabulous, and with a nice bit of natural rayon in the fibre content

Fab styling suggestions from the Fabbers!

Will the pants work with one of your doggie sweaters? And what are we putting on your feet....

To answer your question:

YES! I absolutely wear plaid suits. LOVE a matching set. I have an old plaid suit, although it's a quiet plaid in a very lightweight Summer fabric. I don't like the narrow legs as much anymore. Yet it's gorgeous quality and the pants are full length on me - not cropped. So I've kept it. I'd love a less subtle plaid suit with wider trousers!

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6 days ago

cat2

Veteran

If you like the plaid, I would buy the pieces. TH does well made pieces for the price, and you can play with styling as a suit, but if that doesn’t take, any sleek dark sweater or big baggy fisherman sweater would be great with the pants.

6 days ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well it would depend on my mood regarding the exact day but yes, I would happily wear the suit. If my husband made that comment I would wear it sooner. After I looked up who Nicholas Lowry even is .

6 days ago

MsMary

Veteran

OMG I would wear it EVERY DAY and your husband is being mean.

6 days ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

A plaid suit is not quite my style, but I would be tempted to wear it! I can picture it on you with the navy turtleneck and black booties. (In other words, what you wore, but swap the jeans for the plaid pants.) Maybe you have a patterned knit vest that would mix with the plaid, with a collared shirt or lightweight turtleneck underneath?

I could also envision you wearing the suit dressier with a silk blouse and dressy flats.

And even if there are relatively few ways you would wear the two pieces together, I think you will wear them separately plenty of times, given your love of the plaid.

6 days ago

JAileen

Veteran

SW Ann, thank you very much. I should have said my husband was reminded of Nicholas Lowry. That yellow suit is a pretty in-your-face look. I think I do want to wear the pieces together.

Lisa, those are good ideas. I hadn’t thought of a graphic tee with it.

Sloper, thank you. Back in the day (in the 80s), this suit would probably have been available in a tropic weight wool. I don’t know if it’s due to price or availability, but anything in wool is hard to find.

Unfrumped, I was surprised both pieces fit. The jacket is called “slim fit” which I’m not, but I sized up after reading the reviews. The pants feel good too, since they are kind of high waisted. I was prepared to return both.

Irina, thank you for your thoughts. I wish it were wool, but I almost never see it anymore.

Dee, thank you. That’s what I thought, too. Nicholas Lowry does have a few subtle outfits, but most are at least 50 foot plaids.

Roberta, thank you. Those are great ideas. I’m thinking we have very similar taste.

Angie, thank you for your wonderful thoughts. Your suit is lovely. As a matter of fact, one of my dog sweaters does work with the pants! I have a zoom meeting tonight, but I’ll try to get pictures of two pieces, together and separately, tomorrow.

Cat2, thank you for your great ideas. I think I could make the pants work with my dog sweater or a navy turtleneck or even a fisherman sweater.

Jaime, I think we think alike! Thank you!

MsMary, thank you so much for your support.

Sharan, thank you for your great suggestions. I think I will keep the pants. I just have to figure out the length and which shoes or boots work with that length.

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6 days ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I love black watch! Wouldn’t your doggie bag go as well? Just be sure to dry clean both pieces together in case one gets worn more than the other.

6 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes! I knew you’d have a doggie sweater to match. Fantastic! And a Radley bag

6 days ago

Bonnie

Veteran

I would wear them as separates, not together. Love the color and the plaid.

6 days ago

JAileen

Veteran

Donna, great idea! Our son was in a Scottish pipe band and their tartan was Blackwatch. So my Radley Scottie bag would be perfect with the outfit. It’s funny, the pants are machine washable and the jacket is dry cleanable. I assume that’s due to the shoulder pads, etc. Good idea to dry clean them together.

Angie, if I wear the Jack Russell sweater together with the Radley Scottie bag, then both boys are represented.

Bonnie, thanks. It is a lot of look as Tim Gunn would say.

6 days ago

Bijou

Veteran

Yes - one of my favourite all-time suits was a black watch skirt suit in pure wool. I don't have much need for suits any more, but I think a plaid suit is less conservative and if the perfect one found it's way to me, I would be very happy.

Your husband is hilarious - but there is NO WAY that your suit comes close to that level of flamboyance.

5 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think it’s lovely and I am not keen on your husband’s comment. If my husband said something like that when I liked something a lot I would be upset. Having said that, mine is constantly making jokes or comments (I asked him the other day if he could possibly go 24 hours without quoting from The Lord of The Rings movies but he didn’t think he could) and most are not unkind, it just might depend if the comment touched a nerve I guess. It sounds good to wear either together or separately.

5 days ago

cat2

Veteran

Yes, the doggie sweater would be perfect. And the black watch plaid works with a number of dark neutrals, so figuring out shoes shouldn’t be a problem.

5 days ago

RobinF

Veteran

I personally don't wear suits these days but love these two pieces. This is much more subtle than a lot of plaids and would be fun for some mix and match. Lots of great ideas from the fabbers.

5 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

JAilleen, LOVE that both doggies are represented in the outfit! Sounds like you're keeping the pants

5 days ago

judy

Veteran

I would wear a plaid suit, depends on the occasion and fabric, but I would get use out of wearing the jacket and pants separately too. If you love it, go for it...or get a wool one.

About your husbands comment, I have found that going my own way with regard to style, I must disregard others opinions to a great degree. He's giving you an opportunity to trust yourself , even if it stings a bit. I have often shared here that I grew up in the middle of a big family with two older sisters who were ruthless with their criticisms no matter what I showed up wearing to the breakfast table during all our school years. So consequently I grew a thick skin, stopped seeking their approval and continued to allow myself fun expression with clothes. Of course it's different in a marriage where you can ask for him to be supportive!

5 days ago

JAileen

Veteran

Bijou, your suit sounds divine! My husband was kind of kidding.

Jenni, thank you. I love that your husband can’t stop talking about LOTR. Here in the US we have a late night talk show host who is completely obsessed with the books, movies, etc. He talks about it all the time. My husband reread the trilogy before seeing the movies. I have never read the trilogy. My brother gave it to me and the Hobbit for Christmas one year. He advised reading the Hobbit first. I read about 50 pages about a round green door and gave up.

Cat2, yes, I think I will be able to find enough occasions to wear the pants that even if I never wore them together, the pants wouldn’t go to waste.

Robin, yes the Fabbers have helped a lot. I looked for a picture of Nicholas Lowry wearing a Blackwatch suit to no avail. That alone probably tells us it’s a subtle plaid.

Angie, yes, I’m keeping them. You and the others have given me a lot of great ideas. I still can’t do a try on. We’re having some workmen in this morning.

Judy, I’m so sorry you had such mean sisters. I had two older brothers who never noticed anything, and my husband is actually a very kind person.

5 days ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I relate to LJP’s comments. I personally would be unlikely to wear a plaid suit, but I literally cannot remember when I last wore a suit anyway! Suits have always been hard for me since it’s very unusual for me to find a jacket and pants that match AND both fit me properly.

This is a classic, restrained plaid and a classic cut, so I don’t see your husband’s comparison at all!

5 days ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I love Blackwatch plaid, and I would absolutely wear it. Like LJP said, it’s all in how you style it. Go all classy with a silk top and heels, or go all preppy, and you’ll nail it.

5 days ago

judy

Veteran

Oh thx, J'Aileen. My sisters outgrew their critical habits. As adults, we all get along great! It sounds like your husband has a great sense of humor.

5 days ago

VioletMyra

Active Member

Love the Black-watch plaid suit. Wear the pieces together, wear them as separates; you will get a lot of joy from your ensembles. Best wishes to all.

5 days ago

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