Suit of the Week: A New Day

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budget suits for women - Target's A New Day


For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.

For discussion today: what are your thoughts on Target's suiting?

After their Merona line went away, everyone said A New Day filed the gap — what are your thoughts on A New Day for budget suiting for women?

Looking at reviews at Target, the blazer seems to be a hit, as does the pencil skirt (both pictured) — but their curvy pants, flared pants, and sheath dresses (including one with sleeves! with pockets!) seem to get mixed reviews.

Still, if you're on the hunt for really affordable suiting, it's hard to beat these prices for suiting separates: the blazer is $35 and the skirt is $22. Nice.

Psst: We just updated our guide to budget-friendly interview suits for women; if you're wondering where to find stylish plus size suits, check this recent post out too.

This post contains affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

Sales of note for 2/7/25:

  • Nordstrom – Winter Sale, up to 60% off! 7850 new markdowns for women
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 25% off your $175+ purchase — and $30 of full-price pants and denim
  • Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 15% off
  • Boden – 15% off new season styles
  • Eloquii – 60% off 100s of styles
  • J.Crew – Extra 50% off all sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – 40% off everything including new arrivals + extra 20% off $125+
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 40% off last-chance styles
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – 40% off one item + free shipping on $150+

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

76 Comments

  1. This is a much longer skirt than you usually see on budget workwear. Three cheers!

  2. A few years ago I was laid off and it took a LONG time to find a job (nearly 1.5 years). I did ultimately find a new job that I’ve been at for 3.5 years right now. Problem is – I dislike the job and am not learning or gaining anything (but am fortunate for a good salary). But given how “traumatic” the search was the first time around, I decided to sit tight for a few years. Now I’m at a point where I just can’t take it anymore. I’ve started the search KNOWING that it will again be rough due to an over saturation in my industry, smaller city (can’t move), and honestly I have no network because while people like me/like working with me – they never want to put themselves out there for me. So of course I reach out to a recruiter, submit to a few companies, and BAM 4 rejections right away. Rationally I know I shouldn’t be upset and I know I’ve just scratched the surface (last time I applied to nearly 200 jobs). And yet IDK – this has ruined my day/week and I don’t know how I will earning a living for myself going forward. Talk some sense into me.

    1. Reminder that it just plain sucks and you’re allowed to feel bad about it. Good luck!

    2. I have done it both ways and looking for a job while you have a job is infinitely better than doing it following a layoff, both from a mental health perspective and in terms of the response that you generate from prospective employers. Tell yourself that you have a good salary, you aren’t desperate, and they would be lucky to have you! You can do it!

    3. You need to commit to a proper search – this will require time and your energy and you must build your network – not optional…..you already stated that you are in a small city, over saturated industry – expect to work harder at this search. 4 reach outs to recruiters and 4 rejections is nothing. Btw, recruiters don’t work for you. I am in an industry where my skills are in high demand, no lack of opportunity, but I took 6 months to search for jobs, interview multiple times per week, turn down or pass on opportunities that I didn’t really like….I was able to be selective because I had a full time job and good salary. This is the time to work on it, not when you are in a panic concerned about a layoff. I got rejected for jobs that I wanted and I rejected lots of jobs that I determined were not for me. Finally, I found the right opportunity after 6 months. Expect to commit to this search, set aside time each week and each day to work on it….your efforts will pay off. Good Luck!

    4. I think many, many (most??) people have somewhat traumatic patches in their careers – layoffs, rejections, impossible circumstances, poor fit, office politics, etc etc. I know it’s hard to internalize, but just know that this isn’t a problem with YOU, but is actually a very common experience.

    5. The best networking advice I ever got was “When you meet someone, think about what you can do for them, not the other way around.” Of course you also have to put yourself out there and meet people first. But treat networking as an investment and it will pay off.

  3. I’m so conflicted about clothing like this. On the one hand, saving money is great! And clothing at this price point is the only option for many, many people! So I know it’s a privilege to also think that clothing this cheap isn’t sustainable and must be coming at an environmental and ethical cost. I know I’m far from perfect in my consumption habits, but I hope that I’m constantly getting better. And don’t get me started on how the onus should be on the systems and the large corporate entities to change, not individual consumers. It’s all so complicated.

    1. Very often people who are buying Target suits aren’t people who wear suits daily. For instance, if you’re a receptionist in a business casual office or a bank clerk you may need a suit for interviews but not for everyday wear. I tend to think of the Target suit’s environmental impact as less like that of fast fashion and more like that of a bridesmaid’s dress or something else you own but has very limited utility.

    2. I agree with you but I’ve also experienced some cheap fast fashion lasting years and getting a lot of use out of it.

      1. +1. I think you can responsibly consume things that weren’t responsibly produced. Not that that fixes the underlying issues of irresponsible production necessarily.

    3. Putting aside the issue of whether it will last as long (which I agree is not necessarily an issue with a cheap suit that is worn a few times a year), I’m not actually convinced that cheaper clothing is less environmentally friendly. From what I’ve seen, with most brands you’re just paying for the brand name ( and it may or may not last longer; lots of mall brands also don’t last) – they still use the same chemicals and don’t pay their workers well. Is that wrong? Are the target-level brands of the world using worse chemical?

      1. I completely agree. A designer suit is no better for the environment than a Target suit, unless you’re thinking that a Target suit will wear out and you can wear a designer suit for much longer. But the people who buy designer suits love fashion and buy way more than they need. Being responsible about your clothing consumption and only buying what you need, even if you do so at Target, does far more good for the environment than buying lots of clothing from flashier brands.

        1. There are some benefits to buying better clothes (not just a label) – better fabrics, best cuts, more flattering, better linings and materials.

          1. But none of that (with the possible exception of materials) has anything to do with the environment , nor the work environment of the producers.

      2. This is my problem too- add in a need for plus sizes and it’s nearly impossible to shop ethically. :(

    4. Honestly, I’ve had much better luck Target pieces of clothing (generally speaking) than many others. I think Ann Taylor suits are just lousy at lasting more than a couple of wearings. I had a couple of Target suits – particularly my first year out of law school while I was clerking – that were work-horses and I could wear multiple times a week. Maybe someone in the C-suite wouldn’t want a Target suit (although, maybe some would…) but anymore I’d say half the positions that wear daily suits aren’t especially high paid positions (bank tellers, judicial clerks, public defenders, some sales people, rental car counter workers, etc.).

    5. I’m in my early 50s now and very aware of the fewer, better philosophy and I try to follow it at all times. Over the course of my career, I’ve donated mountains of clothing (size changes, office dress code changes, style changes, etc). I hope it all went to good homes, but I know some of it contributed to existing problems with waste. I try to do better now.

      That said, I would never begrudge someone early in her career with limited funds buying a suit from Target. For sure, I’d never have been able to interview for my first job in the corporate sector without my navy blue polyester blend suit from JCPenney, which I bought with my employee discount! These options need to exist for people in that situation. I also think it’s great that Kat featured it, because that 20 something may be scouring this site looking for an inexpensive suit option.

      It’s repeat buying and discarding that is the problem. Not the fact that Target offers an lower-priced suit for someone who needs one.

      1. +1. Hell, I’m 32 and if that skirt comes in black I’ll probably buy it.

        1. it does, I bought it last week, and I love it! The whole reason I bought it, honestly, is because the blazer has an interior breast pocket. I feel like Banana and J.Crew phased those out years ago but I still find them useful and a mark of decent quality.

    6. I don’t know that it’s coming at more of an environmental or ethical cost than more expensive clothing. Sure, maybe the people who design the high-end clothing are earning a living wage but a lot of it is still made in sweatshops. And cheap clothing is more likely to be made of things like bamboo rayon than cotton, which is one of the most water-intensive crops around.

    7. I think part of what we need is access to good tailors or the ability to sew. High quality clothing lasts longer than I honestly want it to in terms of fit and style, and it’s much more disappointing when it’s stained or torn despite being well made. If I knew I could get it altered, updated, or repaired, I’d invest, but not until then.

    8. Most mid range brands (and even some expensive ones) aren’t any better from an environmental or ethical perspective than the cheap ones are. I just assume that if a company isn’t disclosing its working conditions, where it sources its materials, etc. that it’s not any better than what’s being manufactured for the cheap brands. And there’s a lot of greenwashing (like H&M’s Conscious line) that makes it even harder to tell.

  4. Since you all are so good at things like this, does anyone have any suggestions for where to go for a long girls’ weekend? A group of my friends and I want to meet up somewhere to celebrate a milestone birthday. We will all be traveling from various parts of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. I’m shooting for something that is an easy(ish) flight, that will be warm in late May/early June, and that has great food and hopefully some interesting cultural stuff.
    The group of us have previously gone to Palm Springs and the Napa valley, and we are looking to go somewhere new. Thanks!

    1. Arizona, Texas, Southern California, New Mexico. I’d stay west to keep the flight easier but go far enough south (and out of the mountains) to guarantee warmth. I’m in Central Texas and it’s consistently warm starting in April. By May or early June it is solidly hot for most people but somewhat pleasant for us (I’d have to look it up to be sure but I think highs in May and early June are in the 80s and 90s).

      1. PS I wouldn’t consider a flight from Central Texas to anywhere on the west coast and San Fran or north of there to be “easy.” It’s sort of an all-day affair because of connections and the two-hour time change. Dallas or Houston would be quicker but still a haul. Southern Cal and Arizona you have the benefit of less time change and less distance east. I haven’t spent much time in either, though, so am not very helpful.

          1. I’m Anon at 3:59 and live in Austin :). I doubted your “lots” so checked it out (there’s a list on the ABIA webs*te). There are more than I thought! I think my issues flying that direction have been that I don’t have (and don’t care for) miles on Alaskan Airlines, the direct option is sold out (or too expensive, cough, Southwest), or the direct option doesn’t have departure times that I like. I lived in Atlanta and Houston as an adult and was spoiled by Delta in Atlanta and then having two airports in Houston. Anyhow, thanks for expanding my view of what’s available to Portland and Seattle as a direct flight!

      1. “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” -Mark Twain

        (apparently he didn’t really say this, but the sentiment is still true.)

        1. Ha I was going to write the same quote. Summer in SF is COLD! Fall is much nicer, that’s when SF finally gets warm(ish).

    2. Lake Tahoe, NorCal, Vegas?

      And this is probably going to sound odd, but one of the best warm vacations I ever took was going on spring break (from Idaho, actually!) to southern Utah, of all places. It had been a long enough, cold enough winter that something about St. George seemed positively tropical. Hilarious to recount, but we really did enjoy ourselves.

    3. Gonna add Cabo to the list- super easy and relatively inexpensive trip from anywhere on the west coast.

  5. I am going to Orlando for a friend’s graduation from a doctoral program, and just to visit her. I’ll be staying two nights. One night she is having a party at a bar/restaurant at Disney (she has school age kids and most of our friends do too), graduation is also not far from there, so figure I’ll stay close to there.

    Recommendations on where to stay? I will be traveling solo, and do not have kids. I want somewhere nice and quiet, budget not an issue. Considering Sheraton Vistana. Wondering if the Waldorf is worth it (pretty inexpensive as Waldorfs go…). Any other recommendations?

    1. Someone I follow online just went to the Four Seasons and it looked wonderful. I think it’s actually in Disney though so might have too many kids (but I imagine that would be a problem anywhere in Orlando).

      1. I’ve eaten dinner at that Four Seasons, and the hotel is beautiful and looks amazing. I’m sure there are families staying there, but it’s large and spread out, and it doesn’t seem like it would be a problem.
        The JW Marriott and Ritz share a property called Grande Lakes, and they’re about 20 minutes from Disney (without traffic). I stayed at the Ritz for a night or two with my mom for my college graduation, and it was amazing.
        I haven’t stayed at the Waldorf Astoria, but I was going to suggest Bonnet Creek as a convenient location.

      1. Me, too. And the owner’s philanthropic endeavors are impressive as well.

    2. for a solo traveler with no kid or budget – Definitely do not go to the Vistana.
      it’s not bad, but it’s just not great. it’s not sexy, though a Sheraton it’s run down by kids and families and timeshare members ( I know because I’m one of them)

      Splurge on the Four Seasons for real; my friend went a few months ago and said it was a mind-blowing, amazing hotel experience.

    3. I had a work retreat at the Ritz Carlton in Orlando and it was honestly very nice.

  6. I am considering a career change and would love to hear experiences from the hive…

    If anyone has / knows someone who has worked for the Federal Reserve, can you comment on the overall experience?

    For those who are / were in management consulting, what made you leave or stay? I enjoy the challenges but can’t seem to decide if the hours / travel /stress are worth it anymore…

    1. My friend has worked for the Fed for 20 plus years…she’s a bank auditor and loves it. Seems to have a lot of autonomy, independence

    2. In management consulting. What makes me stay i are my interesting projects, and the fact a generally like my clients and team as people. What makes me think about leaving: 1) lack of recognition (a bit from leadership, mostly the fact that west coasters are always having to fight header), 2) politics associated with being a leader in a large organization.

    3. Depends on what you want to do there, but generally the Fed is a great gig. (Assume you are talking about the Board? Individual reserve banks have different cultures.) Generous pay (higher than the federal pay scale), fantastic benefits, and because it’s not technically a federal job it’s immune from shutdown shenanigans. They hire smart people who stay forever because the benefits are so good. And the exit opportunities are strong in case you decide to leave.

      1. I’m considering an individual reserve bank. Understanding the culture would be different, would the benefits / exit opportunities be as good? The salary definitely seems generous.

        1. You aren’t a government employee at the banks- so no loan forgiveness or federal government benefits. however, the benefits are good. each reserve bank has a completely different culture and it will depend on what department you are in within the bank. the exit opportunities are generally good- very good name recognition and generally the banks hire smart, top notch people.

  7. I am bored at home and decided I should watch some makeup videos on YouTube. Who do you recommend for a natural look for a middle-aged white lady who hates makeup but know it makes her look more polished?

    1. PixiWoo – not their editorial stuff but their “normal” looks
      Charlotte Tilbury
      HotandFlashy

  8. My dining room ceiling has some watermark-like stains, which must be from the shower in the master bathroom directly above. I don’t care about the appearance of the stains themselves, but do they indicate some kind of on-going problem I need to deal with? If so, what kind of person do I call?

    1. Yes, you should. I would probably start with a plumber, although realize going in this is going to require removing the drywall in your ceiling in the dining room, at least in a small section or two. My parents had this happen in their shower and it was several pin-prick size holes from corroded pipes (house built 1980). The section of pipe was cut out and replaced. It did not require the whole ceiling torn down – only two small holes, kinda like arthroscopic surgery.

      1. Dad says that it is your NEIGHBOR’s house upstairs that needs to be waterproofed. Fixing your ceiling will NOT solve the problem if water keeps comeing down from HIS toilet.

        Dont start with YOUR plumber. I recommend you talk to the Landlord, NOW, show him the waterstain, and tell him that he must act. Perhaps he must intervene with the Neighbor to have the Neighbor FIX the problem with HIS plumber, so that the ceiling does not soak through and come crashing down on you in your liveing room, which could be DANGEROUS if someone is sitting or sleeping there when the ceiling falls. DO IT NOW, Dad says. Dad is VERY smart! YAY Dad!!!!!

    2. I would definitely call someone and have this checked out. I’d start with a plumber if you don’t already have a more general contractor type person who you trust.

    3. This is super common with copper pipes
      From the 80s and 90s…. both my parents and in-laws have had issues. They usrd a handyman each time- it’s defintily something you don’t want to ignore because it will go at an inconvenient time and could also encourage mold.

  9. This summer I felt inspired to upgrade my wardrobe on a budget (so looking for more professional-looking clothes, but not necessarily higher end), and Target was one of the first places I went. I really liked the basic black pencil skirt from that line, so I got that (and it’s held up quite nicely), but I didn’t love the blazers; they seemed a bit long for my torso, and it just didn’t seem like a good look for me. I also got a structured black bag from that visit, also from A New Day, and it looks nice but it’s definitely showing some wear in a few spots, it’s honestly not that much better than a bag from JustFab.

  10. I saw a job I thought was interesting, however I am not currently ready to move from current position. I have been here about 8 months and currently trying to improve my performance–my last performance review was not good.I would like to finish a year before I move, also by then I want to have gotten a better review which would mean any recommendations they give could be positive. Is it ever a good idea to apply to something as a “way of making first contact”-this is a term i have heard used in terms of testing the waters even though you are not yet in a position to move? Right now I am holding back since my gut says it would be wasting their time, and I also would not be able to provide a reference from current job at this time. Advice?

    1. If you got a bad performance review you should be actively trying to leave before you get fired so yes apply! Tell them you can’t provide a reference from your current employer because you don’t want them to know you are looking. Which is normal.

    2. Apply! Sometimes the hiring process can take forever and ever. You may be ready to leave before you need to make a decision anyways.

    3. I think it’s always good to apply- first off it’s probably theybahvr someone in mind already, so you may not even get the offer… but if you make a good impression, it’s easier to reach out later again or stand out in a 2nd interview for a different position. Plus, if you get it- who knows, maybe it will be the right time to move at that point (some employers move quickly but both my husband and my last jobs took 6+ months to get offers).

  11. I’m WFH because of the polar vortex and I just ate a giant bowl of pasta and a stack of shortbread cookies because I am chilled to the bone, even with multiple layers, heat and blankets. Now I’m at my daily calorie limit and it’s 4:15 PM.

    I guess I’m seeking commiseration, or maybe just polar vortex permission to overeat. Salad is not very appealing today!

    1. You are allowed to eat what you need to deal with the weather today!
      You should see the lines for the big BBQ lunch at the cafeteria at my company when it gets ‘cold’ here in Texas :)
      Warm food is a must on a cold day and ESPECIALLY with the weather you are dealing with. I hope the rest of the day goes well for you and you can stay warm and comfy!

    2. Oh man, today I’ve eaten Eggo waffles with heaps of butter, lasagna and delivery chicken tikka masala and naan. Hot, carby comfort food is a must in weather like this! And now I want shortbread cookies…

      1. You got delivery? My cousins in Wisconsin and the Dakotas said no one is delivering.

        And bars are closed in WI!

    3. I also like to eat all the things when I’m cold, but soup seems like it would be the natural answer, instead of salad? Can be very healthy, very filling, and very warm!

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