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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, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.
This week, despite a very attractive purple skirtsuit at Neiman Marcus, we're going with this lovely lightweight wool suit from Banana Republic. We like the light gray color, as well as the beautiful striped lining. For our money, we'd buy the jacket, skirt, and pants — the matching dress, while interesting, has sleeves that remind us of a superhero for reasons we can't quite pinpoint. The blazer (Women's Apparel: Lightweight wool blazer) is $198, the skirt (Women's Apparel: High-waisted lightweight wool pencil skirt) is $80, and the pants (Women's Apparel: 215 Martin Classic Grey Trouser Pant) are $98.
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KLo
Do we think a seamstress could tack in those little faux-epaulettes? Because the dress is lovely! And I quite appreciate the purple suit as well, but alas, not for my body shape.
Not so sure I can say yes to the rolled-up jacket sleeves yet. Maybe I’m still too scarred by 16 Candles, etc.
S
also, if you’re tall beware that a lot of BR’s dresses tend to be too short for work. I wouldn’t order a dress from them online – I need to try it on to see how it sits.
KLo
Sorry to go off track here, but I just saw this http://www.glamour.com/beauty/2009/06/14-pretty-ways-to-wear-your-hair-this-summer#slide=1 hairdo, and I loved it too much … what do you think about it for work?
Kathryn
BR has some dresses in Tall.
I need 40″ long to be decent for work–knee-length–I’m 5’10”–35″ long isn’t even going to work with tights!
The flange-y epaulets do give balance to hips, if that’s an issue….
J
I think this is lovely (and I adore that purple suit, too)! I was looking at the BR website and it looks like the jacket is full length sleeves (I couldn’t quite tell from the pictures). Why they show them rolled up is beyond me.
Eva
KLo – I think that french twist hairdo (and many of the others) are a bit much for work. Much more appropriate for a formal event (like a wedding or firm holiday party). If I were really dying to try it out on a normal workday, I’d wear it like any other unique piece — with an outfit that is otherwise extremely conservative and toned down.
Lee
I second the too-short-for-work problem, this even applies if you aren’t that tall. I’m about 5’7″ and the length of BR’s “business” dresses is very borderline.
Housecounsel
Same here. I am also 5’7″ and have to try on all the BR dresses. This one looks short. Love the pants, though. I have never ordered Tall from BR, but did from J. Crew and looked all wrong.
Housecounsel
OH! I am in LOVE with the purple suit — but I haven’t worn a non-neutral suit to work since about 1998. What do we think, lawyers?
Julia
The purple suit is heavenly. I really wish I were done law school already so I could afford it :P
E
Klo, I really really love that hair. I think it could definitely work in the office! It’s a great option for long hair. I’m always worried about maintaining longer hair without looking like someone who just couldn’t “let it go” from younger days…I think it’s a nice change from the bun routine or the sleek pony.
Amanda
I love Banana suits. They’re so easy to mix and match with each other since they tend to keep and the cut and other details consistent. I’m petite but with a large chest and they are one of the few places where they seem to cut petite jackets more in mind of arms length than narrowing then/cutting them smaller.
lawdiva
The purple suit is amazing, chic and work appropriate. I just wish it wasn’t $500. :(