For those readers looking for something similar to Palin’s debate suit — or perhaps just a beautiful suit that can be worn in the evening as well — this faille suit from Banana Republic’s Monogram collection caught our eye. Although it looks almost satin in the pictures, the fabric is actually a cotton/nylon blend. The skirt has slimming vertical lines, and we think the rounded collar of the jacket is be-yoo-tiful. The jacket also has an interesting take on a double-breasted suit — we haven’t seen anything else like it. The jacket is available online for $275, and the skirt is $125.
Each Wednesday we’ll feature a suit we think is nice. Fashionable, wearable, businesslike, etc, etc.
There are four brands that most young businesswomen purchase suits from: Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, J.Crew, and Theory. It’s actually hard to find suits that are a good “step up” from those — while you can get one of those suits for $300-$700, the next price range seems to be in the $2000s. Anyway, we were intrigued when Banana Republic announced that it was going to have a new “higher” line, Monogram. We’ve read that it hasn’t been doing so well (perhaps because the website stinks!) but we are loving this gray pinstriped suit from the Monogram line. We love a lot of things about it: the fit, the seasonless dark gray fabric that is 60% wool, 40% silk. We’re also intrigued by the wrap collar — so many times a suit with a bit of detailing is a bit too “society lady,” and little less “business lady” — there may be fur detailing, or sparkly buttons, or bows attached. This wrap collar is the perfect kind of touch to a suit — it’s unique and innovative without detracting from the fact that the suit means business. The pencil skirt is $115, and the blazer is $275. Close-up of that wrap collar below:
