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Can younger women wear colorful suits? A few weeks ago there was some debate about whether younger women can get away with wearing colorful suits without seeming like they’re too . . . old. This was particularly interesting to me — I’ll admit I’ve never worn colorful suits, but it had never occurred to me that it was something exclusively for older women.
{related: colorful suits and the working woman}
Can Younger Women Wear Colorful Suits?
The reason I didn’t wear colorful suits when I was younger wasn’t because it was inappropriate once, but it just wasn’t ME.
A friend of mine bought such a suit once on deep discount — a purple suit — and it has sat in her closet for three years now with the tags still on.
But since those comments we have thought long and hard and no, we generally don’t see younger women wearing colorful suits.
(See below for a roundup of lots of our latest favorites for different colors of suits…)
{related: can you wear interesting suits to court?}
SHOULD Younger Women Wear Colorful Suits? A Poll
We thought we’d open a thread on this and maybe take a little poll… what do you think, readers: can younger women wear colorful suits? Multiple answers are allowed. To clarify: by “colorful suits” we mean a color other than a neutral black, gray, navy, white, or beige. (See some great examples at Nordstrom!)
{related: can women lawyers wear interesting suits to court?}
Our Latest Favorite Colorful Suits for Women
Before we get started with different colorful suits for women, we should note that we keep a huge, frequently updated roundup of the best women’s suits by BUDGET — but color choices may or may not be limited to your basic black, navy, and gray.
Our Latest Favorite Navy Suits for Women
Some of our latest favorite navy suits as of 2024 include these options:
Our Latest Favorite Light Blue Suits for Women
Psst: If you’re hunting for colorful suits, note that light blue suits for summer are some of the easiest because you can wear them as you would a light gray suit. As of April 2024, we’re seeing nice ones at Reiss, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor (“blue echo,” ojai, and a plaid), Hugo Boss, J.Crew Factory, Ted Baker London, and Eloquii and lucky plus sizes for 1.State; Wildfang also has some sporty light blue options. If you’re hunting for a shorts suit (or, perhaps, just a blazer), Cinq à Sept has a nice “French blue.” (You can see light blue suits we’ve featured previously here.)
Our Latest Favorite Red Suits for Womenco
In 2024, we’ve noticed Boden has their ponte suiting in a fun “hot pepper” color, and The Fold has some options in a lovely “burnt orange.” Saks OFF5TH has a great tangerine suit from Alice & Olivia, also. Argent also has fun double-breasted red suits as well as single-breasted red suits. You can see older picks at this tag.
Our Latest Favorite Brown Suits for Women
As of 2024, some of our favorite brownish suits for women include this “mahogany” suit from Reiss, this brown linen from Brooks Brothers, and this very academic-looking mid-brown suit at Banana Republic. Boden has a really fun brown and pink-checked suit. (For plus sizes, there aren’t any great options at the moment – Woman Within has a double-breasted brown check suit, as well as a single-breasted brown suit.)
Our Latest Favorite Green Suits for Women
In 2024, we’ve noticed M.M.LaFleur has pretty shamrock suiting while Reiss has “bottle green” suiting, and for plus sizes Estelle has a lovely grove green. Also, Argent has dark green suits for women, as well as a kelly green suit. You can see older picks for green suits here.
Our Latest Favorite Teal Suits for Women
As of Feb. 2024, our favorite teal suits (and blue suits that aren’t navy) includes this lovely teal-y “laurel” pant suit from Akris; in plus sizes, check out this pretty Moroccan blue suit at Eloquii. Ann Taylor and M.M.LaFleur both have pretty sapphire suits, and Ann Taylor also has a lighter “lapis” color as well. M.M.LaFleur also has suiting in a nice “blue jade.”
Our Latest Favorite Cobalt Suits for Women
There are some great cobalt suits out in 2024! Check J.Crew, Ann Taylor, Theory, Veronica Beard, Liverpool, Akris, and Tahari. You can also see earlier cobalt suits we’ve featured here.
Our Latest Favorite Burgundy, Wine, or Purple Suits for Women
Looking for wine or purple suits for women? As of 2024, Banana Republic is down to lucky sizes in this beautiful purple wool suit. This Boss suit in a purple “mulberry” looks lovely, as does this Reiss suit in berry. Argent has some great purple suits in royal purple and lavender, and M.M.LaFleur has a lot of “wine” options. On the more affordable side, this reader favorite suit under $75 is similar in color, and Express has a number of suiting options in a pretty “wine.” For plus sizes, Estelle has a pretty suit in “ultraviolet,” and Universal Standard has a number of blazers and pants in “black cherry,” including this blazer. You can see purple suits we’ve featured earlier here.
Our Latest Favorite Yellow Suits for Women
In 2024, some of our latest favorite yellow women’s suits include Argent and Banana Republic Factory. You can see yellow pant suits we’ve featured earlier here.
Our Latest Favorite Pink Suits for Women
As of 2024, some of our latest favorite pink suits for women include options from Argent (light pink and magenta), Ann Taylor, Banana Republic Factory (pinky-coral), Abercrombie & Fitch, J.Crew Factory, and Eloquii. You can see pink suits we’ve featured earlier here.
For 2024, the Color of the Year is “Peach Fuzz” — stay tuned for a roundup of some of our latest favorite workwear items in that color! This great suit from Etro comes to mind immediately, as does this pinky coral suit from Banana Republic Factory.
Hunting for a specific COLOR for your work outfits and work accessories, whether for an alumni networking thing or just general Style Reasons? In general, this Amazon tote or this tasseled Amazon tote are great. We’ve also rounded up colorful pants for work, colorful work dresses, and colorful work shoes.
Some Great Gray Suits for Women
These charcoal gray suits have been around for a while and are a great bet for where they’ll be in stock as of 2024… Brooks Brothers also has a classic gray suit as of Jan. 2024.
Our Latest Favorite Fun Suits (In General)
Stay tuned for a roundup of some of Kat’s latest favorite interesting suits! As of Jan. 2024, definitely check out our “Suit of the Week” feature, where we pick one interesting / colorful / unusual suit to feature each week, as well as recent featured suits including this gold brocade number, this blue velvet pant suit, this rockstar-like jacquard suit with tiny birds, and this very unusual print suit from Etro.
Our Latest Favorite Suits with Prints
Hunting for a suit in a print or pattern? As of 2024, for more traditional prints, M.M.LaFleur has a lovely houndstooth option, a plaid, and a black-and-white check; J.Crew also has an ivory plaid. Wildfang has a nice pinstripe option for regular and plus sizes, and Banana Republic has a nice mid-brown plaid as well as some nice pinstripes, while 87Origins has a beautiful striped linen suit. For more unusual prints and patterns for suits, Boden has an vaguely 60s inspired “diamond terrace” pattern, and Theory has a suit in a tortoiseshell print.
Colorful Work Clothes in General
Hunting for a specific COLOR for your work outfits and work accessories, whether for an alumni networking thing or just general Style Reasons? In general, this Amazon tote or this tasseled Amazon tote are great. We’ve also rounded up colorful pants for work, colorful work dresses, and colorful work shoes.
{related: the best suits for women in 2024}