Comments on: Reader Mailbag Part II: Suggestions for Suits If You’re Not Size 2-14

By: Maeve

Maeve — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:52:12 +0000

I just found this blog and it is so interesting! I’m very happy to be able to “consume” this information from your site :).

After having two children, I am rebuilding my professional wardrobe with size 14 and 16 clothing that can be tailored as I continue to lose weight. I like to dress fairly conservatively in simple suits and I wear natural fibers…When I was in academia I had two pairs of jeans and one pair of danskos, and just swapped shirts every day. That doesn’t fly in my new capacity! (and I have to admit I’m kind of getting into it hehe)

I recommend Brooks Brothers. I have two suits from them (16), and some knits – a silk sweater and a couple wool twin sets (L). I like it that their clothing consistently fits me, and that it is lined in rayon. They recently started a women’s line, and I find that the women’s style pants fit much better than their regular pants….I will buy size 16 jackets and skirts, and size 16w pants. Ive also bought their men’s pants. I don’t think the web pictures look so hot on their women’s line, but I think that is because they aren’t used to it yet.

I also recently discovered J Jill, which is great if you like natural fibers. They have tons of stuff in wool, cotton, linen, and silk. They recently changed their simple 120 line of wool suits, which is too bad, but they still have it in black and brown. My main complaints with them are that *everything* is long-and-flowy and that colors are limited. They have plus sized clothing up to at least 3x. Their clothing also consistently fits me, which is great because they are mail order….I’ve only had to return one or two items, and then only because of preference, not because it didn’t fit.

Ps I apologize for iPad typos…

By: Morgan

Morgan — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:13:24 +0000

Thanks, Corporette, for addressing the fact that professionals don’t just come in sizes 2-14.

By: Lindy

Lindy — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:23:11 +0000

I am a size 16W and find that Talbots is one of the few places I can find good quality work clothes. I would NEVER buy clothes at Lane Bryant. Thanks for the post.

By: Corporette.com · Reader Mail: How to Keep a Working Wardrobe While Losing Weight

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:13:54 +0000

[...] In terms of suits for actual interviews, our advice is thus: go to a store with a great return policy, like Nordstrom’s, and invest in a great suit that makes you feel confident and smart and beautiful and professional. Keep the tags on the suit, and try it on frequently (let’s say once every two weeks). If you get that interview, it will be worth the investment — and you can always sell it on eBay or at a consignment store if you find you no longer have use for the clothes. If you pass through the size without getting the interview, no harm, no foul — back to Nordstrom’s to return the suit and get another in a lower size. You might want to check out our suggestions and the comments from readers in our post on finding great suits if you’re larger. [...]

By: Corporette.com · Reader Mailbag: Where to get suits for short women?

Corporette.com · Reader Mailbag: Where to get suits for short women? — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:38:42 +0000

[...] a petite woman. We addressed this a bit last summer, when we advised a reader how to shop for suits if you’re not in the “normal” sizes of 4-12. But we thought we’d recap, as it’s an important topic and we have more readers now, [...]

By: TM

TM — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:00:56 +0000

…Just wanted to add that I’ve been consistently disappointed with the quality and/or cut of clothing from the Victoria’s Secret catalog. :-/

By: TM

TM — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:59:17 +0000

On the small side: I’m a size 0, and Theory was outside my law student budget. I ordered suits online from Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and J.Crew. I was pleasantly surprised that a J.Crew one fit me perfectly (in a 0 Petite). The others were far too large, even in the smallest sizes.

By: summer

summer — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:11:39 +0000

any suggestions on a purse?
this is the suit i got http://www1.talbots.com/talbotsonline/product/itempage.aspx?item=B183888&PFID=2208&BID=&h=M&sk=M

and these are the shoes http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/7217808/c/11587.html

By: summer

summer — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:08:22 +0000

thanks so much! corporette is great! i ended up ordering a suit online from talbots & just got it – but its too big. but you can return in the store – so thats what i am going to do.
i got the navy pinstripe :)

By: C

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:11:54 +0000

M – Most shopping I’ve done for those sizes has been for a relative who has a more casual lifestyle, so your input is really appreciated. I’ve edited the main text to include Nordstrom & Saks, and to link to your comment.

(I had actually remembered that Nordstrom had a ton of the Misook stuff, which goes to 3X, but had forgotten about their collection of Ellen Tracy and Dana Buchman suits in larger sizes).

I still think it’s a shame that more great basic suits aren’t online in all sizes — I would say that for all women, regardless of size, should wear a plain black or navy suit to the interview, and even Saks and Nordstrom doesn’t have that online. For plus-size the options are far better shopping physically in stores. If you can recommend any online places from which one could buy a suit, please do so!!