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.
Today we're liking this great tweed suit from Pink Tartan. We like the folded collar, which gives it that cool “popped” look, and all the other little details, like the piping, the pocket on the front hip, and the off-center slit in the back. The jacket (Pink Tartan – Tweed Stella Jacket) is $495 at Neiman Marcus, and the matching skirt (Pink Tartan – Harlow Skirt) is $296.
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This is probably kind of melodramatic of me, but that popped collar look always screams Cruella DeVille (or at least “I’m cackingly evil”) to me.
Couldn’t agree more — I love the jacket, but the skirt looks miniscule.
Such a wonderful suit – tweed is so classic, and the popped collar and hip pocket make it fresh and updated. Has anyone seen this in person? It seems like the skirt is…. short. I’m petite, so it isn’t so much of a concern. But the skirt also looks quite fitted, and sometimes those don’t look right if they’re cut to be a certain length and are longer on you because of your height.
but there are on sizes left!
sorry, there are *no sizes left (ie, very few).
I love this, and I’m usually very against the popped-collar look (which reminds me of frat boys, not Cruella DeVille)! But I love tweed with unabashed passion, so I’m a little biased. If I had an extra $800 lying around…. sigh.
Another great find, C.
I hate the pocket on the front hip. Looks like her skirt is on wrong.
I adore this suit. Popped collar and all. It is quite chic, but still classic. I am so over boring black suits.
Anyone else bothered by suits that are modeled with no (visible) shirt underneath?
Love it, except for the off-center slit. If I was walking behind someone wearing the skirt I would think that they needed to adjust their skirt. (Or am I the only one who has trouble with pencil skirts sliding around?)
My skirts shift around when I walk as well and that was my first thought. But more optimistically I think it might be a vent or kick pleat so the “slit” would be on both sides and be balanced. If it really is just on one side . . . weird.
Otherwise I love the suit.
me too! I thought I was the only one with Shifting Skirt Syndrome; whenever I’ve mentioned it to anyone, I get a whole lot of “girl, you crazy” looks.
Love this!!!
New to this blog and loving it. I like it but I agree with the other posters, (1) never like it when they model a suit without a shirt underneath, and (2) that off-center slit. For the shirt issue, I just know I could never get away with it and, if it’s wool, I’d itch like the dickens. I love wool but am so allergic to it. Skirts generally slide around on me. Yesterday I was feeling pretty good strolling about in my suit after a good day in court until I realized that the back of my skirt was suddenly up in front. Not a good look at all. If the slit was off-center on someone in front of me I would completely OCD on it and wonder what proper etiquette was to let the person know their skirt was sliding.
Sorry, this is OT, but I have an interview dress code question. I have an interview next week for an in house lawyer position at an investment bank – is the dress code the same as for a law firm? (ie, boring, classic skirt suit with a button down).
Thanks!
I’d say yes to skirt suit, hose, heels. Though I don’t think “button down” on a woman is essential even for a law firm interview. There’s a pretty wide range of tops one could wear, so long as they weren’t revealing. This season’s ruffles, so long as not too over the top, really make a conservative suit work well.
I have an OT interview dress code question, too! I have a summer internship interview this weekend at a coffeeshop–does the time and place mean I should wear something a little more casual (how much more?) or is this still a full interview suit occasion?
What sort of industry/job is the internship? I think that would make a difference. But even without knowing that, I would think that a cofffeeshop would be less formal, though I’d be hesitant to go without a jacket (maybe wear a suit with a nice enough shirt underneath that you’d feel comfortable taking off the jacket for the interview, unless the interviewer is in a full suit, then you leave it on).
I agree… Wear a skirt suit, hoes, heels, and a top that you would feel comfortable wearing if you decided it would be appropriate to take the jacket off. Unless, of course, you are somewhere where the weather is horrid, in which case, I’d vote for a pants suit based solely on weather. It is always better to be overdressed than under, in my opinion.
Thank you for your advice! The job is legal (with a non-profit). I definitely agree with what you are saying–better overdressed than under!
Fug-tastic. It even makes the model look wide.
I generally like the suit, but agree with k about the pocket on the front. I have to assume that the pocket (or flap; there may not be an actual pocket) will pooch out on all but the slimmest of women.
I had the same problem a few weeks ago on a Talbot’s jacket that had flaps (without pockets) on the chest. Seriously, my girls do not need to look like they have pockets.
Agreed. My own pooch, currently controlled by Spanx, does not need a pocket either.
Argh — flats without pockets bother me so much. Why do men get pockets and we don’t? I have things to put in my pockets, too. And the tiny bit of extra fabric is not going to make me look 10 lbs heavier, there is no need for all women’s clothes to be intended to look so tight and sleek that we can’t have pockets.
Ok, off my soapbox now..
Thank you for saying what I have been griping about forever! The lining in a pocket is usually made of very thin material—I need to put my office keys in my pocket, and I also like the look of pockets on trousers.
Even bigger pet peeve; tiny shallow pockets on front and back which can only fit a dime; what is the point?
Agreed! I would love to have more clothes with pockets; it’s so impractical to have to either carry a purse with you everywhere or keep small items in your hands where they’re sure to get lost.
I’m with you. Even more annoying is why do men’s suit jackets and blazers have an interior pocket and women’s don’t? That too annoys me to high heaven. Seriously, I could put my key card, debit card and phone in there and all would be good – and it would look MUCH better than in a pants pocket.
The suit is cute, but the price is too much to pay for merely cute. The big cuffs can be a problem under coat sleeves. The little details, while eye-catching, result in a suit which would be a bore to wear frequently, and might soon look dated.
I agree @Anne Vohl, this suit seems pricey for what it is. It is classic yet somewhat old-timey looking to me (flipped collar and all). The fabric would have to be amazing and the cut superb for me to justify spending this much. I’ve never seen the quality or cut of Pink Tartan before. Thus, this is a “try on” suit for me. I couldn’t order this online sight unseen.
I have an issue with the off centre slit at the back. Makes me feel like the skirt is sliding around and it does look weird. I tried on a 40s style tweed pencil skirt last week – fabulous fit but off centre slit made it look like I forgot to adjust skirt correctly!
Like the jacket, hate the skirt. Between the one pocket and the off-center slit, it would drive me nuts.
If I was 60#’s lighter, I would have jumped on this suit (been admiring throughout the day). I really loved this one.
I assume that the collar does fold down normally — not that it’s in a permanent state of poppage. I imagine it would be relatively easy for you tailor to remove the front “pocket” — but I wholeheartedly agree that womens’ suits should have more usable pockets.
On the topic of pockets, does anyone know how feasible it is for a tailor to add pockets to an existing suit? Count me as another woman who wishes her slacks and jackets had pockets!
Off topic — suit jackets with an interior pocket. Can’t find them, but would love to have an interior pocoket. Has anyone found a line that does this (I’m obviously thinking of a menswear inspired suit a la Elie Tahari or Theory) or had an interior pocket added to a suit jacket?
Brooks Brothers suit jackets often do.
hehe, I just griped about this above before I got here. I agree.
Like the suit, but agree that the skirt might be problematic – too tight, too short, pocket and slit issues, skirt traveling issues (I always get this, it is worse when the skirt is a big too big).
I agree with the concept of pockets, but if the line of the trouser is slim, then there is no place to put a pocket without getting a bulgy look. Men don’t have hips so more room for wallet + keys etc. But a big enough pocket into which you could put a card key would be great! I find dresses sometimes have nice pockets, esp with A-line skirts.
Has to wonder from time to time whether designers ever pop on here to see what people are thinking about their designs. Wouldn’t it be nice if one actually made some designs based upon common threads of opinions exhibited here?
Love the suit (fabric, black lining, pocket, off-middle flap and all), but it is SO overpriced.
Love the suit – wondering if the jacket might be too short? What would you wear underneath, a camisole of sorts?
we threw this outfit together that would work from the office to after work drinks. I like the simplicity of the dress.
http://www.what2wearwhere.com/blog/post/2009/11/17/What-to-Wear-Entertaining-Clients.aspx
I have this suit. The slit is not off center – there are two vents you just can’t see them both in the picture. Also, the skirt isn’t hemmed at short as it is on the model.