This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.
Sometimes, all you want is a simple, high quality black suit. I like this Elie Tahari suit, exclusively at Nordstrom. It's got a single button, but that's pretty much the only slightly odd thing about it — the shoulders aren't too pointy, the lapels aren't too wide, the fabric isn't patterned or shiny. It's just a wool suit. Lovely. The jacket (Elie Tahari Exclusive for Nordstrom ‘Ava' Jacket) is $278, the pants (Elie Tahari Exclusive for Nordstrom ‘Theora' Pants
) are $178, and the skirt (not pictured, Elie Tahari Exclusive for Nordstrom ‘Bennet' Skirt
) is $158.
|
 |
Eponine
This is the exact same model from a Theory suit post from last month – the last post Kat tagged suits, in fact. So funny how the same models pop up everywhere. Her hairstyle is even the same.
Res Ipsa
Single-button jackets are OK, it’s just that the placement of this button is really odd –like where you’d put it if it were a maternity jacket.
AIMS
“Sometimes, all you want is a simple, high quality black suit . . . ”
With the caveat that “black” can also be gray, navy, tan or brown, this is ALL that I ever want. Like the suit, don’t mind the button. Great styling, too (love that the shoes are actually shoes one would wear with a suit!).
nonA
I know – it’s so rare to see a suit styled in a way you could actually imagine wearing it!
L
Nice, I like it.
BTW, there is a post on the juggle today about UBS’s new dress code. :)
coco
i saw kat’s link to it – some of the requirements seemed odd – no cuff links?
AIMS
But, finally, a rule on women’s jackets (buttoned, unless sitting; same as men).
v
From the WSJ link: “Light makeup consisting of foundation, mascara and discreet lipstick … will enhance your personality”
Orwellian doublespeak or hilarious Orwellian doublespeak? I can’t decide.
Anon
Seriously. That’s where my personality resides, for sure.
MelD
What about picking a tie knot that fits your body shape. That was perplexing to me.
AIMS
But now I really want to know what that means!
LexCaritas
and the neck make-up….
Associette
I putting this on my list to Santa. Lovely!
Employed 3L
Unlined pants. :-/
AIMS
I am wearing a pair of unlined 100% wool pants today & am very comfortable. Actually, somehow, warmer than in lined pants. I think, maybe, not all unlined pants are created equal?
Elle 2
For me the lining is necessary for smoothness, not for comfort or warmth. If my pants aren’t lined, you can see my cellulite!
Elle 2
Sigh… I wish I were exaggerating…
ASOS Dresses
I wanted to report back on some ASOS dresses I ordered a few weeks ago. I wound up ordering two for work, one for weekend day wear, and one for “going out.”
This one (for work) is probably my favorite:
http://us.asos.com/ASOS-ASOS-Tailored-Sleeveless-Cowl-Front-Pencil-Dress/tnjl9/?iid=1173512&cid=11464&Rf-800=-1,58.005&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Camel
The length looks a little short on the model, but it is a good length on my 5’2″, short-legged frame. I got it in the purple, which is actually more of a blue (it looks pretty close to the color pictured). I wore it with a black cardigan and black tights and got lots of compliments; both the color and the shape/draping are very flattering on me. I am fine with the weight of the material for winter as my office is never cold and I have a ridiculously warm down coat, but it is a littler thinner than some of my other “winter” dresses. I see myself wearing it all/most of the year.
I also really like this dress:
http://us.asos.com/ASOS-ASOS-Tailored-Short-Sleeve-Tab-Front-Tulip-Skirt-Dress/txask/?iid=1185354&cid=11464&Rf-800=-1,58.005&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=CherryRed
I got it in gray and I wasn’t sold on the shade of gray at first, but I paired it with gray tights and booties and a bright yellow sweater and now I really like the color. I feel the same way about the weight of the material as I do about the other one. I also feel the same way about the length; it’s good on me and would probably be good on someone slightly taller as well, but it’s definitely not for tall girls (at least not for work). I like the way it fits and I find it flattering, I just like the other one a little more.
I got this dress for weekend wear:
http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Designer-Clothes-Womens-Clothing-Womens-Fashion/vhmlg/?iid=1360530&cid=11464&Rf-800=-1,58.005&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=FoxBlack
I think this dress is so adorable and it looks good on. I got it in the fox/black and the color looks great in person. It’s pretty true to the color on the website. Even though it is in the “wear to work” section, it is definitely too short for work IMO. There’s a good weight to the material and I could definitely see myself wearing it during the fall and winter with tights.
Lastly, I got this one as a party dress:
http://us.asos.com/ASOS-ASOS-Exaggerated-Bow-Shoulder-Dress/vhi8k/?iid=1329573&cid=8799&Rf-800=-1,87.007&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Black
I understand that it’s not going to be everyone’s style and it is a lot of look (as Tim Gunn would say!), but I really like it. The bow lies kind of flat, as shown in the pictures of the purple/blue and rust dresses. I got it in black and I just really like it.
FWIW, I’m a size 4/6 hourglass, if that makes a difference in any of the comments I made regarding fit, etc. I got all four dresses in a 6 and they fit well.
Ru
The dresses are beautiful, thanks for the review!
b23
Really cute dresses! Thanks for the substantive follow-up.
ASOS Dresses
You’re welcome, ladies!
C2
Just have to plug the “Margot” blouse shown with this suit — I have it and am obsessed with it. Cut and colors are gorgeous. Nordstrom is down to XL, but I’m sure it can be found elsewhere.
AnonAnonAnon
ooh, love it! I wish Kat would do a post on silk blouses, referencing several favorites in different price ranges. I have such a hard time finding one I love and I want to try prints like this.
chix pix
I have a number of these types of black suits and I find you can often wear the jacket of one suit with the pants of another and so forth, I took the one-button suit jacket and changed the button so that the buTton is sort of a fashion accent. For about $2.00 investment it turned out really well, For the totally black suits I prefer the lighter weight fabrics that can be worn year-round rather than the wools.
Yasmin
Does anyone else find the one button suit super unflattering? I am admittedly an apple shape … wish I could wear this but it isn’t happening in this lifetime. *sigh*
Ashley
So I have a question about the photo for this suit. It shows a silk blouse underneath the jacket that hangs below the jacket itself. Is this really acceptable in an office? I feel like the answer is no, but maybe I’m wrong?