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Suit of the Week

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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. We like this cool black suit from Pink Tartan. Love the way the jacket is super shaped when it's closed, love the way it looks cool and casual in that boxy Chanel way when open. We're intrigued by the fact that it's cotton linen and has interior slash pockets. And yes, we like the exposed zipper. The jacket (Pink Tartan Peplum Suit Jacket) is $495, and the skirt (Pink Tartan Pencil Skirt) is $295 — both available at Bloomingdale's.
Pink Tartan Peplum Suit Jacket) Pink Tartan Pencil Skirt
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Sales of note for 5/19/25:

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

37 Comments

  1. I think it looks cheap (quality, not price). I also think exposed contrasting zippers on the back of a skirt scream “unzip me!” which is not really what I want in a work skirt.

  2. You had me until “exposed zipper.” That is not a professional look when one is trying to look polished and pulled together.

  6. I’m going to have to agree with the previous posters. The exposed zipper is just not professional enough for a conservative environment (perhaps if you work in a more relaxed environment, you could get away with it). And such a shame too! The front of the suit is absolutely darling, but the zipper is a buzz killer for the classic suit lover.

    cornerofficechic.wordpress.com

  7. IMHO, exposed zippers are the clothing equivalent of platform pumps. Not only do they look garish but who wants a $800 dollar suit that screams “Fall 2009/Spring 2010?” This will be out of style by the end of this year.

    1. Agreed. I even thought the exposed zipper was already on its way out. Seems like Lindsay Lohan was wearing them at least several months ago. :) Even if the zipper suited my personal taste, which it doesn’t, I couldn’t justify spending very much on such an obviously trendy detail.

  8. Does anyone have any ideas for a court appropriate suit at $200 or less? I have a black one that I wear all too often. I’m in court once or twice a month and need to add a reasonably-priced conservative skirt suit to my wardrobe. I would be willing to spend more for pants and/or a sheath dress that matches the jacket. Unfortunately, I live in a rural area. We have an Ann Taylor Loft (but they no longer carries business suites), a Talbots, and a Macy’s. I can probably find better stores when I am traveling for work, but I was hoping for suggestions first. Thank you!

    2. Try a discount store. I’ve seen Calvin Klein, Ann Klein, Tahari, Ellen Tracy, etc. at Filens, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, etc. They are all clasic conservative suits.

      If you area doesn’t have one of those, shop online, and look for sales to bring you under your price point. If you buy from Macy’s online and it doesn’t fit, you can return it to the store, so its relatively painless.

      1. Perfect. Thanks for the link to the previous Corporette post. That was extremely helpful. I’ll check out Tahari suits at Macy’s, and I have had my eye on some suit pieces at BR (just sitting in my shopping cart), but I”m hoping I can get 30% off at some point soon. I visited Nordstrom Rack last Thanksgiving in Orlando. It was fantastic– I never wanted to leave! I am in Pennsylvania, so I think that Philly has one. Thank you again for your great recommendations!

  9. so it is a bad thing that I love this suit and may purchase it?
    I feel like the jacket will cover the exposed zipper, but then I can take the jacket off when I go out afterward for a fun twist.
    so, this is bad? hmmmm.

    1. No, I don’t think it is a bad thing to love this suit…exposed zipper and all. In a less formal work environment (i.e., Northwest) I think this suit would be fantastic. Agree that the jacket would cover most of the zipper. Remove the jacket after work and you have an instant happy hour look.

    2. If you’re interested, I’ve seen a lot of Pink Tartan at Loehmann’s and Filene’s lately.

      1. No, I kind of love it too. Peplum jackets are super flattering on me and I happen to like the exposed zipper.

  10. I am not against exposed zippers per se – I have a cute gray wool dress with an exposed zipper at the top of the back – but the placement of this one is a little unfortunate. Jacket is cute though.

  11. Radu – I would give Target a try. They can actually produce some nice inexpensive suits. I have two from there, one black skirt suit that my boss who is a clothes snob has complemented me on, and one grey pinstripe pantsuit that I get compliments on a lot and the sales girl at Neimans even asked me if it was Theory. Its at least worth a look.

    1. I have two from there as well. One is quite high quality, but I haven’t seen any suits there as of late. When they do have them, they tend to be well under $100.

    2. Unbelievably, the two suits I get the most compliments on – a textured light brown skirt suit and a ruffled navy blue skirt suit – came from Target and Walmart, respectively. Who would have guessed?

  12. The exposed zipper is a shame because I love the shape of this suit. The length is even pretty good.

    I will be looking for another suit with a similar skirted jacket. I guess it is just as well that this one is not perfect because I really can’t afford the price anyway.

  13. The thing is, if I’m investing $800 in a suit (which is more than I would spend anyway), it needs to be a classic, professional suit that will stay in style for a long time. The kind of thing I will pull out for power meetings, interviews, etc.

    If I’m buying a trendy skirt, its not going to be part of a suit – just a trendy skirt that I will wear where/when it is appropriate. For me, the two things don’t mix.

  14. I love the exposed zipper on this suit (and I looove the suit!). I think it would totally work in a business-casual setting. I actually like Pink Tartan; they have quite a few office-appropriate pieces, with a certain flair. Even better, it is often on sale either at Filene’s, or websites like Haute Look.

  15. Fortunately, I don’t have to bother with suits in my creative office. The shape of this suit is so gosh darn feminine though! I have never been a fan of the exposed zipper and the look is so on trend that it would pain me for anyone to spend this kind of money on a look that is probably going to be pretty fleeting.

  17. Zipper is pretty sexy! I like it. But I don’t think I would wear it to work as a young attorney in a conservative firm.. especially not with high heels. I think that would cause too many fantasies when you turn your back to the guys…
    But maybe I would wear a skirt like this to a happy hour or something.. along those lines. :)

  20. Love it! Keeping my fingers crossed that someday I will have a job, and have enough office clout to rock a look like this, and still be able to fit in it :)

  21. Radu – JCPenney’s Worthington suits are actually reasonably good quality, for the price.

  22. Can someone explain to me why exposed zippers are used so frequently now? They must be mainstream because even Lands’ End has been using them in their dresses. But … WHY?

  23. I love the look of this, and would probably just bring it to the tailor to have the exposed zipper hidden with a small, discrete placket of fabric. Not a hard or expensive fix! That said, way out of my law student budget…. but a girl can dream…!

  26. It’s frustrating that none of the photos show the BACK of the jacket. Given the peplum, I think that’s an important view to see.

    And I agree — no exposed zippers in the office.

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