Suit of the Week

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.

Wow, there is really not a lot of stock out there for women's suits right now — perhaps retailers think women don't wear/buy suits in the summer? Curious. In any event, we're liking this suit for a nice option for the summer, particularly given colors it comes in (both featured). It comes with a simple sheath dress underneath — perfect for the commute or after-dinner drinks with friends — and then has a very buttoned-up, almost shawl-type look for the day. Accessories would be tricky — we might put a brooch, or two, on the shoulder (on the same side as the button) to draw the eye up. And considering the price —  $69 at Overstock.com — it's hard to go wrong. Harve Benard Women's 2-piece Dress Suit

32 Comments

  1. I hate to say it, but I think it looks like something an alien nurse would wear in a science fiction movie.

  2. I must agree that I do not care for this suit . . . but Corporette, I am so glad to hear you are experiencing the same difficulty with finding a suit as I am! I need a few new suits and have not been able to find ANY – even my old standby, ann taylor, has ONE suit offering for summer only. Does anyone have a suggestion of where I can look???

  3. Did you check the Ann Taylor outlet too? I haven’t been for about a month, but the last time I was there, it still had suits in traditional colors. The only other place I’ve seen that has suits not in ridiculous colors like lime green or watermelon is Dillard’s, but I don’t know if you have that in your area.

  4. dcm58 – jcrew’s suits are available year round. i love my wool gab and stretch wool suits, though they were more than i wanted to pay at the time. they are rarely on sale/special, never more than 20% off that i have seen. so, you may want to bite the bullet and buy a jacket and pants/skirt, and add more pieces (skirt/pants, dress etc) later as your budget permits. order in the store to get free shipping, which is crucial because jcrew’s shipping prices are ridiculous.

    banana should also have a few suits, though it’s better to wait for sales. everything always goes down at banana.

  5. I’m not liking the suit, but I am pretty thrilled to learn that Overstock.com has suits.

  6. J. Crew suits often go on sale, but you have to be flexible, keep checking the sales, and buy when they’re available, not necessarily when you need it.

  7. I actually might like this. I don’t love the colors (but agree they are summer-appropriate), but I think that although it might not have great “hanger appeal,” with a good fit, it could actually look good in a cool retro-ey way. Plus I love the sheath dress/matching jacket combo — it’s my favorite during the summer months.

  8. Wow, that is one ugly and cheap-looking suit.

    About the post – a brooch? Or two? I hate brooches and think the girls that wear them are weird and/or lame. I guess I’m out of touch?

  9. i dont know if you live in nyc- but there is a jcrew sample sale coming up at clothingline in the next few weeks- i bought the navy pinstripe stretch wool suit (it’s currently on their website for full price) at their last sample sale and got it at 60% off retail – got the pants, skirt, and jacket! it’s a great all weather suit

  10. I kind of like it! But now that you all mention the alien nurse thing, I’m going to have to pass because I totally see it.

  11. Brooches to me seem very old-lady like. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen another woman in my firm wear one. Corporette seems to suggest it a lot, though, so am I missing out on some new trend?

  12. I wonder how this suit would drape with the jacket unbuttoned. It seems to me it might be a lot cuter that way…it’s kinda funky buttoned up, but the colors are great.

  13. Not loving this suit, but I buy LOADS of stuff from Overstock, never had a bad experience. Their photography sucks, though, so take that into account when looking at things. Their shipping rate is $2.95, for anything, has been for years now. Sometimes they have a sale, $1 shipping. I’ve bought everything from entire beds to irons to underwear from them. A reconditioned laptop once that lasted for years. Versace sunglasses for $40. Also like smartbargains.com and sierratradingpost.com. As with all discount places, you have to keep looking until you hit something that’s right for you.

  14. Suits year round – Nordstrom Classique Entier brand in the Individualist department. Just bought a pair of trousers there and the matching jacket was nice as well.

  15. I like it but it was not available in anything smaller than a 6, bummer for the petite girls. For similar prices and brand selection, try Syms: http://www.syms.com/locations.asp
    The Off 5th Saks outlets, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc. are worth browsing. I used to score at Macy’s but lately their evil coupon and sale restrictions make it a chore to shop there.

    My favorite suits are J.Crew, theory, Classiques Entier, Tahari, and Anne Klein. I’ve had occasional good luck at Talbots and Ann Taylor. I like the brand Isabel & Nina because they do a lot of classic styles with a little twist but they do tend to run large. If you’re bargain hunting or just want a little throwaway summer suit, check Target and Old Navy.

  16. I guess I’m showing my Southern side, but I like it–we wear light colors in summer down here in SC. I’d try a filmy chiffon scarf or some bold Michelle O beads inside the neck….which would take it out of Star Trek, imho. A bold bracelet, if you can deal with it, on your non-writing hand.

  17. Is it linen? Is it lined? I’m guessing yes and no, and I’m wondering if I’d be a wrinkled mess by 10 a.m. I actually don’t mind the style.

    J. Crew is the year-round suit standby. I have had recent luck at Nordstrom, too, with the Semantiks line. Check BCBG, too. Some of the suits are a little out-there but I’ve found some conservative yet interesting choices.

  18. Wow, surprised at all of the negativity. I really like this suit! It won’t suit my figure, granted, but I think it looks very Jackie-O. I wonder at the low price though — it may look cheap when you actually wear it.

  19. This suit has Jackie written all over it. Can’t believe the comments. What’s happened to taste in day dressing over the past four decades?

  20. wow! thanx for all the great tips on places for year round suits . . . I guess I need to get out of my “small store” rut and head to a mall . . . or a department store!

  21. I agree it has Jackie written all over it, but Jackie’s look was more of a ladies-who-lunch look than a corporate look. It might be nice for a day wedding, but not crazy about it for work.

  22. Brooches are totally hot right now. Michelle Obama wears them!

    You can ALWAYS find suits at discount department stores like Loehmanns, Marshalls, or TJMaxx.

  23. Shades of Jackie Kennedy, early 1960s! But we’d need a bouffant hairdo and a pillbox hat to pull this one off.

  24. I love the versatility of the sheath dress, but the fit was awful. The arm holes were really big. You need the jacket to hide the gaping.

  25. I ordered the suit, got it in the mail yesterday and am returning it today. If you read the description closely you’ll see that there’s spandex in the dress. On me, at least, it was super fitted and tight and it wasn’t a size issue.

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