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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.
Maybe it's us, but we're liking this version of the boyfriend jacket paired with the pencil skirt. Both pieces seem like they would work well on their own as separates, but together this seems like a very professional take of a very trendy style (hello, '80s!). We're curious about the fabric, which supposedly “resists wrinkles and stays in shape”– readers, please comment if you have experience! The jacket (Long and lean jacket in seasonless stretch) is $89, and the skirt (Front pleated miniskirt in seasonless stretch) is $39.50, both available at Victoria's Secret in sizes 0 -14.
(We just called Victoria Secret's to see if anything else matches the jacket, other than the miniskirt, and the answer is why yes, lots of things — choose the color you like (e.g., 163, charcoal heather) and mix and match to your heart's content. Such as: the Christie fit flare pants, or the Christie fit pant.)
(Also, in the runner-up department: we wish this weren't red.)
Woman of Color
Love the Tahari suit. Are colored suits really a no-no?
s-k-s
Whenever I see a red suit, all I can think of is Sarah Palin.
operaghost
Amen.
Woman of Color
Although Sarah may be a bit frightening to some, let’s remove her from the picture. I remember reading somewhere that colored suits should only be worn by older women. Why is this? Outside of some blatant colors (I am thinking turquoise), I think suits like the Tahari one are fresh and bold – something a bit different than the usual gray and black variations. Any thoughts?
NB
I like the Tahari suit as well, but wouldn’t buy it- it would work for business meetings, but not for court, which is what I need suits for.
I think the problem with a lot of colored suits is that when they look work appropriate, they do tend to look matronly. The Tahari suit is beautiful, but the red also looks a little sexier than is appropriate for a lot of settings (which is why I wouldn’t wear it to court). Maybe sexy in this context means too bold and confident, but for places like court, you want to look professional but not really stand out. And well-tailored, non-boxy, non-matronly colored suits do make you stand out. If you are young, shapely, AND wear a red suit…chances are someone will take you less seriously. And yes, that’s wrong, and yes, we should be railing against it, but sometimes people just want to get on and get along.
If I were a CEO, or in a creative field, though, I would take the chance and rock the suit. Just depends on who you are representing and where.
anon
when I see red suits, I think of Gloria Allred.
S
“Seasonless stretch” = polyester. I actually tried a pair of the Christie fit pants in seasonless stretch a few seasons back (hoping that they’d be like affordable versions of the Theory Max C pant), and the fabric was dreadful. As my husband said, they looked like secretary pants. (Meaning no disrespect to the personal assistants of the world.)
Ashley
I have some of the VS separates (primarily because their pants come in tall sizes). I have the jackets, and they are not great. BUT, they are great when you are in a hurry or if you like wearing jackets to the office and want to save your good suits for court. The pants and jacket can actually be thrown in the dryer…very convenient. The pants aren’t great, but I disagree with the secretary comment. I don’t think they are that bad.
J
That is one MINI miniskirt! Wow.
On another note, I found this great looking jacket (the Galway Jacket) at LLBean. I’m thinking it would look good with jeans or with business casual pants.
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=51500&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=503055&feat=503055-tn&cat4=503054
Kathryn
Nice jacket. I wonder if they’ve changed their fit? I always found it a bit square-ish for me, but that looks nicely tailored.
Anonymous
A miniskirt? For work?? That is a big fat no for most offices.
Anonymous
How could Corporette fail to mention the excellent price? The suit separates are on sale at VS right now – a pair of pants or skirt and a jacket are only $99. I’ve never tried their suits before…but it might be worth actually checking out.
MJ
Not too fond of the mini, but the price is certainly right.
And I think the point on the Tahari suit is not the color, but that it would be fab if it didn’t cost $498!
s-k-s
Is anyone wearing an 18″ skirt in their office??
I have to admit, the price makes me curious about mixing hte jacket with other pieces. I am so sick of my current limited rotation of high(er)-end suits, and I’ve been thinking of buying several inexpensive suits to mix in with the knowledge that I will have to toss them after a season or so.
A
I have an 18 incher that I wear, but it sits very low on the hips and I’m short. Even so, I only wear it with opaque tights.
Kathryn
18″ sounds like a belt to me….
A
The skirt is listed as being 18″ in length, which is not really mini-skirt material (although, still borderline for the office, in my opinion). On someone 5′ 3″ or under, this would hit slightly above the knees. For alternatives (between 23″ and 25″) however, choose the Suit Separates option at the bottom left, then look at the available skirts.
I think this is a nice alternative: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=EE-213244&cgname=OSCLOSUIZZZ&rfnbr=2253&atp=a
Liz
Wow! That’s such a great deal for a cute, well-fitted suit. Of course what looks good on a size 0 model doesn’t always fit so well on the rest of us….
ClerkChic
Love, Love, Love the Tahari. Why do “we” wish it wasn’t red?? I admit it would be stunning in charcoal, but the red looks great to me. I think it would exude confidence and personality.
Anonymous
Neiman Marcus biased me against the Tahari (in any color) by suggesting that a push-up bra would help me to complete the look…
ClerkChic
oh, now THAT’s depressing.
MZ
I can say the lady in the office next to me rocks the mini skirts and she has been a lawyer for at least 10 years. But, I wouldn’t dare to wear the stuff she does. I do say, she is quite the milf though.
nathalie
The VS suit is a steal; even if the “seasonal stretch” (which seems like it could be a polyester blend) doesn’t hold up for more than one season, at least you managed to get your money’s worth without paying an arm and a leg. As for the skirt length, I guess it would depend on the person; it might be too risque for the office if the wearer is taller, but I don’t know if it would be appropriate for someone of a smaller stature.
The Tahari suit is absolutely gorgeous for the office. I just wish that it wasn’t in red- I just keep thinking of Sarah Palin every time I see women in red suits…
Jay
How do VS suit sizes run? I just have this idea that if I order my usual size everything is going to be super tight and clingy.
MamaJD
The Tahari runner-up is gorgeous. Just wish it came in a more neutral color!
The VS suit is a little too sexy for my workplace, but perhaps some could get away with it.
Emily
The VS website is showing some tweed suit separates that look beautiful. I’m nervous about ordering work clothes from VS, though. Anybody have experience with their quality and/or fit? I’ve only ever ordered yoga pants and pj’s there.
LA
OK, I just have to ask… does anyone push their sleeves up like that on a suit? Seems I’ve seen similar pics in catalogs lately and it got me wondering.
I like Soma or Intimacy for lingerie, yoga wear, etc. and haven’t been in VS in years. Now I’ll have to go just to check out the suit separates.
gina
I love VS for suits. Their jackets and pants run slight smaller than average. The fit is more comparable to Express suits and jackets than to stores like Banana Republic or J. Crew. Since I’m fairly thin, VS is a great place for me to get affordable suits that actually fit.
The quality though isn’t what it used to be. I got two VS suits in law school, maybe about 7 years ago?, and the fabric was nice and thick, and the pieces were well shaped. Once was a funky tweed skirt suit and the other was a grey basic “seasonless stretch” pantsuit. Both suits are still in excellent shape. I’ve purchased a few other VS suits in the past 2-3 years and the “seasonless stretch” fabric is a lot flimsier, though the pieces still aren’t showing any wear.
Regina
I really like VS suits. I am petite and they do run a bit smaller so they fit really well. And you can buy the pants according to inseam. I just bought a medium grey “seasonless stretch” pantsuit. My question is – can I really wear a medium grey pantsuit all year round? And secondly, is it appropriate to wear in court?
gina
I think medium gray can be worn all year. Just accessorize in seasonally appropriate way. I wear grey, brown, navy and black suits to court, skirts and pants. If I’m appearing in a less formal court/division, I may even wear a brighter not-so-conservative suit.
A
Until recently VS and Express were owned by the same parent, quality and fit are nearly identical IMHO.
KY Lawyer
On the subject of the color of suits, I read somewhere that Southern women wear more colorful suits than women from other states. Not sure why – perhaps because it’s sunnier in Florida, Georgia and the like. Or maybe we delicate magnolia blossoms like to stand out in a crowd (of men).