STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

honey · Gucci

suits...

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I love JCrew for suits. They have some really nice looking ones for fall too.
Theory is nice someimes, but I find that some of them have an odd fit.

jettie · Kate Spade

My parents bought me a Brooks Brothers suit when I graduated from college. I've had it for over six years and still looks good. Its a great classic black suit. I think they spent about $700 on it (I got a jacket, skirt, and pants).

littlebean · Kate Spade

I have a suit that I LOVE that is cute while still being conservative by DKNY. It's navy with light gray pinstripes. I got it at a major mark-down of 70% at Neiman Marcus for a total of around $450 plus extra on alterations. I get so many complements whenever I wear it and the pieces are great when worn separately, too. I think that it's the best suit I've seen on any of my friends or co-workers! If you don't need a suit right away, I recommend that you stalk the sales racks at high-end department stores until you find something you think is perfect and then get it altered to fit just right. You'll end up with something that is so much better than if you walk into the mall to find whatever is the best thing on sale at a given moment!

blubirde · Chanel

One of my BFFs looks absolutely amazing in BCBG suits. I look horrible in them though.

My mom bought me a Liz Claiborne suit when I was in law school and it cost about $500 - although I'm sure you could find cheaper - and while I've since purchased many more fashionable pieces for a suit look, I still go back to that one for the big things like interviews and court dates. It's not incredibly fashionable but it fits nicely and it's a basic black suit so I can dress it up as I see fit.

I think you just really have to go try on a bunch of different brands and see which one fits you best and requires the least tailoring. And once you find a brand you like, hit the outlets and sales and pick up pieces here in there when they're off season or on sale. It's the best way to acquire a good suit wardrobe. My closet has a bunch of blazers, interesting suit jackets, and basic bottoms. That way I can mix and match more things but I always have a few matching pieces in case I'm in a more conservative atmosphere.

kittenheels · Coach

I love theory and tahari. I have one tahari suit that I bought for law school interviews (so spring of 2002) that still looks really good now! There are a few new tahari suits out this fall that I am really interested in (there was a cute one in In Style recently).

I have two theory pantsuits and the pants are so amazingly comfortable and flattering. However, the jackets are tricky for larger chests - I've had to get them altered.

I also have two jcrew suits that are amazing. For the price and the amount of wear I've put them through - they are incredibly durable.

I've also had good luck with Ann Taylor - that was my college interview suit and I literally had to get rid of it because it was dated (circa 2000) not because I wore it out!

mckenke · BCBG

I am a huge fan of theory suits. I don't know if you have a car, but you could drive out to Woodbury Commons. They have a theory outlet and they have a pretty good size selection. I got a theory suit there for about $400.

Mitz · BCBG

mckenke wrote:

I am a huge fan of theory suits. I don't know if you have a car, but you could drive out to Woodbury Commons. They have a theory outlet and they have a pretty good size selection. I got a theory suit there for about $400.

On those lines, I was just at the Theory outlet at Woodbury Commons, and they not only have a pretty decent selection right now but a lot of their suit stuff is also on sale (in addition to the outlet price). You should definitely check it out.

I also like Ann Taylor for suits.

Lilykind · Hermes

mckenke wrote:

I am a huge fan of theory suits. I don't know if you have a car, but you could drive out to Woodbury Commons. They have a theory outlet and they have a pretty good size selection. I got a theory suit there for about $400.

You don't need to drive to woodbury commons.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/directions.asp?id=7

I think the search for a classic item would warrant a trip up there.

I am personally a Tahari person, but since I have very little real need for suits mine is a relative cheapie from French Connection.

honey · Gucci

thanks ladies, this is the kind of info. i needed.

so $400-$500 is a good ball park figure, right.

i've actually been meaning to return to woodbury commons, maybe i can convince my mom to take a roadtrip.