Buying a Suit

[ld2186]

I'm having a hard time finding the perfect first suit. I just graduated from college this summer. I'm looking for something professional, still made for a young girl in her 20s, something that I can get a lot of use out of......basically my first interview suit!

Where are the best places to shop for this? Also, I'm female.....should I be looking for pants or skirt suits? I'm interviewing for jobs as an editorial assistant at publishing companies throughout NYC and Boston. Any thoughts or advice are appreciated! Thanks!

[AshleyJordan]

Your best bet is a black three-piece (pants, jacket, and skirt that hits right above the knee,) suit. Barring that, a black skirt suit is best because there are still (very, very few, esp. in NYC and in publishing,) firms and managers that are conservative and where a skirt suit still might be better than a pants suit for a woman.
I've gotten many great suits (Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, and Anne Taylor) suits at Filene's near Union Square, all for around $100 or $200 each.

[AshleyJordan]

And, since this warrents its own post, if the suit doesn't fit perfectly, invest in a good tailor to alter it so it fits perfectly. The money is worth it, especially for an investment piece like a good suit. You'll feel much more confident!

[wordsmith]

I saw no point in going all out on an ultra expensive suit when I wasn't even employed yet and had no idea what kind of $$$ I was going to be making, so I got something very reasonably priced and decent looking. I shopped at a middle-range women's clothing store that you probably don't have in your region, one that carries a lot of standard office-wear. I spent about $90 on one in a basic black/charcoal tweed in a weight that works well for either warm or cool weather. I later spent about $120 on one of the same styling, but a different color, that came with both a skirt and pants. I've personally preferred skirted suits, but that's because I'm long-legged, and it's hard to find suit pants that work well without the extra money of having to have them tailored (again, not expense I'd be willing to take on prior to having an income). Either is fine, it just depends on your preference. I also have never had a job that has required suited attire, but it's always good to interview erring on the dressier side.

[Moon Gazing]

Check out websites of some of the stores in your area and that will give you an idea of the price range and styles they carry before you waste time looking in their store. It will help narrow down the search of where to shop.

[AshleyJordan]

Not to threadjack, but I'm in a position where I'm expected to wear suits or suit separates every day, and it's actually in the long run cheaper and easier for me to assemble a wardrobe now. I can get some trendy accessories/a couple of cute tops every season, but that's about it. And it's really easy to get dressed in the morning, because everything goes together pretty easily. It's kinda like the school uniform argument, only for grownups!

[lostnotyetfound]

Have you looked at Anne Taylor, JCrew and Macys?

[wordsmith]

Not to threadjack, but I'm in a position where I'm expected to wear suits or suit separates every day, and it's actually in the long run cheaper and easier for me to assemble a wardrobe now. I can get some trendy accessories/a couple of cute tops every season, but that's about it. And it's really easy to get dressed in the morning, because everything goes together pretty easily. It's kinda like the school uniform argument, only for grownups!

Yes, mixing and matching is THE way to dress most affordably.

[aggiegrad05]

Banana Republic, Limited and Anne Taylor Loft have good options too for a younger look.

[sondra_finchley]

Can anyone recommend a store that may have suits and suit separates with fabrics that have some stretch? I have a 10 inch difference between my waist and thighs so it either looks like im swimming in the pants or they dont fit at all over the hips. Just ONCE in my life I want to be able to walk into a store and be able to walk back out again with something that fits halfway decent.

I have a suit that fits pretty good, but Id like something in black. I really like wearing suits- totally eliminates the guesswork of "hmmm, maybe this is too casual?"

[AshleyJordan]

Express editor pants have a lot of stretch. For some of their more basic styles (i.e. black and gray,) they have matching jackets so you can create a suit that way.

[pisces2473]

Jesus, people, it's Ann Taylor.

[asm198]

I bought a pretty nice suit at Bloomingdales recently. It was their house brand, nothing fancy and wasn't that expensive. The pant legs are way too long, but that's an easy remedy.

[wordsmith]

Mine are always too SHORT, and have to be let down (why I lean toward skirts, more ready to wear, don't have to carefully consider height of shoes, etc.). Curse of being disproportionately long-legged.

[asm198]

I think I'm a weird leg length, too. I'm 5'4", which should mean I can fit into petite lengths. More often than not, petites are about an inch too short. I could get away with it wearing flats, but even then, it looks a bit odd. But regulars are about 2 inches too long. With jeans, I just let it go, but try not to with dress pants.

[and1grad]

Well..I dont have a skirt issue but I do have a jacket issue. My jackets always need to be tailored and its quite expensive. So I've decided to just get the slacks and some extra accessories like cuff links and tie clips. Its worked out so far. I may even try to pull off suspenders one of these days.

[wordsmith]

You could for sure pull off suspenders.

[and1grad]

...with a Fedora, so I could look real 1950s private eye.

[pisces2473]

I think I'm a weird leg length, too. I'm 5'4", which should mean I can fit into petite lengths. More often than not, petites are about an inch too short. I could get away with it wearing flats, but even then, it looks a bit odd. But regulars are about 2 inches too long. With jeans, I just let it go, but try not to with dress pants.
That's how I am--I am 5'7" so avg. height, but I have a petite rise...and the legs aren't long enough. All of my pants end up being too baggy in the crotch. REAL attractive. :rolleyes:

[aggiegrad05]

Mine are always too SHORT, and have to be let down (why I lean toward skirts, more ready to wear, don't have to carefully consider height of shoes, etc.). Curse of being disproportionately long-legged.
Words, have you tried Limited pants? I have some wide leg suit pants on today from there, and I LOVE them (I'm tall and curvy with disproportionately long legs). Granted, I still had to let these down a bit too, but after I did, they're my longest ones. I can wear them with really high heels and they look normal, possibly even a little bit TOO long!!

Sorry, I get excited about pants that don't look like highwaters because I can almost never find them.

Also, Banana Republic recently came out with a whole line for tall girls...even tops (I don't really need those because my torso isn't the problem) and skirts. I haven't bought anything yet, because you have to order it online, but you could try on the styles in the store and order the tall versions online.

[wordsmith]

No plus sizes. :( Gotta have plus sizes, for the hips. Their pants are cute, but I'd need to shave off both lobes of my pelvic bone for them to fit.

Pants are a toughie for me. They need to be pretty long, and they also need to allow for ample hip and ass, without hanging like a shroud or gaping at the waist. Which would be why most of the time I don't bother and just wear skirts.

[aggiegrad05]

Aww, bummer. Oh well, skirts are easier anyway (less ironing, easier to pair things with). This summer I've had to force myself to actually wear anything other than skirts to work. :rolleyes: