Suit of the Week

38 Comments

1. Does anyone else think this suit looks a little off? Three buttons? I don’t think I could wear this to anything. I saw it in the store as well (didn’t try it on) and it didn’t look any better.

   1. It looks a little off to me, too. I can’t tell if it is because of the buttons (spacing maybe?) or because the lapel makes it look like she accidentally put on two jackets instead of one…

   2. Yes, the buttons are placed high and very close together. Although I can’t wear anything with a button above my waist (I’m top-heavy) so I could be biased.

   3. Really? I love this suit! The buttons and collar keep it from looking like every other grey suit out there.

      In my jurisdiction, you could easily wear this suit to court on a non-trial day. I like the idea of wearing a pastel tee (light pink!) under it.

   4. What is throwing it off is the untucked shirt. The heavy stitching on the lapel looks weird in the picture. I would never have bought a suit like this before, but a friend bought me a grey suit with the heavy stitching. It is my most complimented suit. Give it a try, even if it looks funny to you.

      1. I love gray. Get so tired of black sometimes.

      2. I agree that the model’s shirt throws the photo off. I really don’t care for the untucked shirt with a suit look. Sloppy.

2. I really like the pants, but the quality of Halogen clothing isn’t the best. I love three button jackets (they are usually the only kind I wear) but I agree that the lapel is a little weird. Overall, I much prefer the Classiques Entier brand at Nordstrom than Halogen, which I feel caters more to a teenage/college age crowd.

3. I like it. The double collar keeps things interesting.

4. Does anyone other than me feel a bit like Uncle Fester in 3 button jackets?

   1. I like 3-button jackets. I can’t wear 1-button because I’m a little too busty and get tired of wearing 2-button all the time.

      I just tried on a Halogen suit in Nordstrom a few weeks ago and was unimpressed with the quality. Semantiks used to be the decent inexpensive brand, but as far as I can tell, Nordstrom doesn’t carry the Semantiks suits anymore.

      1. well that’s a bummer. I bought a couple of nice Semantiks suits from Nordstrom Rack

5. I don’t know, the “modern/European” suit cut that’s popular now is getting old, IMHO. It’s everywhere: J. Crew, Banana, Ann Taylor, The Limited, Theory, etc. The jacket is too short (even conceding that the model is tall and lanky) and cut too narrowly and therefore looks unpolished. They make you look like a recent grad, IMHO. Also, light gray and tan/khaki are all the rage (which is not a very flattering color on most women, generally, IMHO). When I want to be “on my game,” I prefer a suit that hits slightly below the waist (meaning, it covers a belt in the back) and with thicker fabric (wool blend) that drapes beautifully around my figure. I have a beautiful pin-striped Ralph Lauren suit that fits the bill. Does anyone know what I’m talking about? Help a sista out! Am I just cRaZy?

   1. I guess we all have our style/cut preferences. I doubt you’re crazy ;)
      I like the more narrow fit myself. Not sure if I look like a “recent grad” to some people but I do like feeling like I look stylish & good in my work clothes, as opposed to “who the hell is that person staring back at me in the mirror?”
      I guess its a matter of preference & personal comfort.
      I would say that I’d disagree with what you define as “modern” and “everywhere” — it seems like the style most in stores right now very much favors longer jackets (as opposed to what you describe).
      But at any rate . . . feeling good in our clothes is what’s important, & if your RL does that for you, more power to ya.

   2. This jacket looks like the perfect length to me. I think what makes a woman look unpolished is choosing a style that doesn’t flatter her body type. I am a pear shape and prefer slightly shorter, narrower jackets that emphasize the best parts of my figure and draw attention away from my bigger hips/thighs.

      From what I’ve seen lately in the higher end brands, one of the styles that seems to be very in right now is the very straight, masculine looking jackets that do not flatter women with curves at all.

      1. Ok, I’m certified cRaZy, @AIMS and MelD. I’ll concede a well-taken point from the opposing side, like every good lawyer should. LOL. The square, short, narrow European cut (in gray and khaki) flatters some people, just not me! I’ll take a short jacket with a ruffle on the bottom, belted, tapered , boucle, or with other feminine details emphasizing my waist. Just can’t do these square-ish cuts in lightweight fabric… no sirree!

         1. I am still not sure I understand the style. Are you talking about a classic, Jackie O-style suit with the shorter boxy jacket and pencil skirt? That style makes me think Mad Men or Jackie O, but not just out of college or unpolished. Again, it’s a style some can pull off and some can’t.

            1. I can’t articulate this well, I tried to pull some links.

               Here’s a description of European suits (for men): http://www.menswearhouse.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentAttachmentView_-1_10601_10051__10715_10709_SuitSilhouettes.html

               Here’s a pic of a Hugo Boss suit with a longer jacket, which I think is more professional, corporate-looking than short jackets at J.Crew, The Limited, etc. (no likey the tight, skinny floody pants, tho). http://www.6pm.com/hugo-hugo-boss-amia-hila-grey

               The first suit in Overstock’s suit guide is very appropriate, IMHO too: http://www.overstock.com/guides/womens-suits-buying-guide

            2. More like this, perhaps: http://www.anneklein.com/Three-Piece-Novelty-Pant-Suit/90310768,default,pd.html?cgid=90330697&itemNum=27&variantSizeClass=&variantColor=JJK75XX

            3. I don’t know if this is exactly what you’re talking about, but I am missing the 100% wool or wool blend trousers that had a lining, not this thin polyester, rayon unlined fabric that is popular now.

            4. @Lawgirl- thanks for the link. That’s more what I was thinking when discussing the longer, masculine style that is in now. I actually find that length to be a little bit too long for me.

   3. I completely disagree, but I think I have a very different body type than Lawgirl. Theory suits DO drape beautifully on my figure. I am glad there are some designers like Hugo Boss, Gucci who cut suits narrow and straight, otherwise I would be looking mighty frumpy…..to each her own, I suppose.

6. A little nit-pick, it’s “Nordstrom,” not “Nordstrom’s.” I don’t work for or represent Nordstrom in any way – it’s just a pet peeve of mine.

   1. Thank you for being so brave as to point that out. Huge pet peeve of mine too : )

      1. That’s funny – it’s a big issue in my family. My father makes every store name possessive. He even calls it “Wal-mart’s.”

7. Anyone notice the linen in it? I have dress pants that are 6% linen and wrinkle like they’re 100%. Thoughts?

   1. I think the jacket already looks thin and wrinkled in the picture, not like quality suit fabric. Must be the linen (I didn’t even bother clicking to check it out).

8. not to hijack the thread, but what do people think about these new Brooks Brothers suits? OK for non-court business formal?

   http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=374&Product_Id=1446901&Parent_Id=1034&default_color=NAVY&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=

   http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=374&Product_Id=1438264&Parent_Id=1034&default_color=OXFORD-TAN&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=

   1. I like the light color suit, though not 100% sure how the fabric would look in person (given the composition might be too dressy in a non-work environment sort of way).

      As for the boucle suit — like the jacket, but I think with the skirt it’d be a bit too much. Becomes a tad too frumpy for me, and especially with the blouse shown, it looks like you’re playing ‘dress up as Nancy Reagan.’ (caveat: if you’re anywhere near NR’s age, of course, by all means go for it. She always looks lovely. )
      I think with BB, it’s always good to mix and match with more modern pieces (with the exception of their really simple, classic suits) otherwise the syle becomes a bit dowdy (to put it mildly). I like the idea of boucle jackets like the one you linked to with a nice pair of black/gray pants though, and maybe a simple shell underneath in the same color as the pants. Maybe throw in a nice long necklace. Looks much more modern than the suit, and probably more comfortable.

   2. It probably depends on your region. In FL I could see both of those suits in the courtroom (state level) for something other than a trial. Actually in my part of FL the latter suit would probably be fine even in trials since we really aren’t stuck on this idea of black/gray suits like other areas are.

      1. I like the BB navy (agree that I would break it up into separates, lest it look to St. John’s). Not loving the color of the tan suit. Would prefer it in cream with pants. I think cream pants suits look more professional; with skirts, they look church-y IMHO (and I’m a sometime church-goer).

   3. I think they are both interesting suits. The light one in particular is really pretty! I would wear either one to state court, although I probably would save the lighter one for warmer weather. Not sure if I would do such a light color for federal court, but that’s just me.

   4. Thanks for the replies! both of these have caught my eye and I’ve been debating them both. As for breaking up the navy suit into separates, would black pants go with the navy jacket? What about a tan suit pant or skirt instead?

9. I just bought this suit last weekend–it is much better-looking in person.

10. My post just went into the vapors (maybe too many links?). Check out this suit guide from overstock.com. The first suit is American-style suit with a longer, hour-glass jacket that I think is more appropriate and flattering than the short-waisted, thin wool, “modern” suits by J.Crew, Banana, The Limited and the like: http://www.overstock.com/guides/womens-suits-buying-guide

    1. I don’t really think the jacket you’ve shown is any longer than what I’ve tried in other stores. I have a long waist, so it’s really noticeable when something flairs out 2-3 inches above my hips. Even with shorter jackets, the waist is usually in the right place for me. Actually with respect to the Halogen suit pictured, the last Halogen suit I tried on a few weeks ago was way too long in the arms. I’ve never had that problem before.

       1. that looks exactly like most j crew suits to me too, except its on a mannequin instead of a model, as in jcrew ads; the Halogen suit looks very cheap

11. C- what’s with all the gray lately? Bring back the 3 months straight of purple. This winter has been long and hazy and I need color!

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