Corporette.com

Updated: Nov 1, 2018 76 Comments · by

Suit of the Week: Nanette Lepore

Suit of the Week

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.

Nanette Lepore Suit | CorporetteFor 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 for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional. I've always been partial to Nanette Lepore suits — they're always very feminine (sometimes too much so) suits in traditional fabrics with interesting tweaks and details — ribbons, pleating, etc. Here it's a wide diamond pattern with the fabric pieced together in fun ways, with leather details and an asymmetrical hem. The stormflap/trenchcoat inspiration isn't my cup of tea, but I do like the way it looks when the model walks the runway, so there's that. I'd probably skip the leather corset for work (*cough*) and instead go with a boring white blouse or black tee, but that's me. The jacket (Nanette Lepore Collegiate Jacket) is $498, and the skirt (Nanette Lepore Scholarly Skirt) is $278.
Nanette Lepore Collegiate Jacket | Corporette Nanette Lepore Scholarly Skirt | Corporette
(L-5)

Sales of note for 9.10.24

Some of our latest posts here at Corporette…

RSS Error: WP HTTP Error: cURL error 60: Issuer certificate is invalid.

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

About Kat

Kat Griffin is the founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Corporette. You can read more about her here.

Comments

  1. anon

    Any recs for a place to get 2 inexpensive suits (Halogen) tailored in Philly? I always have the same issue with pencil skirts- they ride up too high, and I’m short-waisted so that’s not the look I’m going for- I think it’s because my hips are large in relation to my waist (26 inch waist, 38 inch hips)… so I sized up in the Halogen skirts, hoping that I can have them altered to fit perfectly. I’m hoping I won’t have to have the jackets altered but we’ll see.

    Is there anyone with my proportions who has had better luck buying pencil skirts off the rack? I just hate feeling matronly when the waistband of the skirt is practically under my boobs (plus I’m 34D so that makes me look extra matronly). I want the waitband to sit around my bellybutton and stay put!

      • Pink NYC

        FYI–master tailor’s husband/wife team used to be a pattern makers before they opened their drycleaning shop. They’re also super nice!

    • Jenny

      I’m a huge fan of the dry cleaner/tailor at 15th and sansom, on 15th. It’s right next to the equally fantastic shoe repair place.

    • Clementine

      I notice that we have very similar measurements! I have a 26 inch waist, 38 inch hips and take a 34D or 34DD. What size did you find fit well in the Halogen suits? I want to purchase one but don’t have a Nordie’s nearby. I’m tall and have a long-torso- would you suggest a size based on your experience?

      • anon

        unfortunately I haven’t received the suits yet, I purposely ordered the skirts a little big in the hopes that I can have them tailored after- but when I receive them I will post with my measurements and which size fits. my experience might not be super useful to you since I’m 5’4 with a shorter torso, but maybe it will help. the nordies website has a bunch of sizes (including 2s, 4s and 6s) right now so if you’re interested you may consider buying a couple sizes and then taking advantage of the free returns to ship back the ones you didn’t like.

        • anon

          ugh NO idea why i’m in moderation. there is literally nothing in my post to trigger that.

          • Anon Worker Bee

            I think I keep getting put in moderation for s! te, so maybe webs!te?

          • Anonymous

            I think that’s it, Anon Worker Bee. I think a lot of people were using “thiss.te” (obviously with an ‘i’ where the period is) to avoid the moderation that ensued when actually naming the s.te or using any other ‘r e t t e’ ending, and moderation is now catching that go-around. I understand wanting to review uses of Kat’s copyrighted name, but tbh I don’t really get the motivation behind blocking the ‘s’ word. Seems like overkill.

      • Maudie Atkinson

        Accidentally hit report.

        I am sized similarly, though decidedly not tall, and I find that a 4 works nicely in Halogen skirts.

        • Marie

          Similar measurements here too, though I AM decidedly tall. Like Maudie, I am generally a 4 in Halogen pencil skirts, but if the fabric has less “give” in it I have the same ride-up problem as the OP. In that case, buying a 6 and taking the waist in does solve it.

      • Clementine

        Thank you!! This is incredibly helpful!

        I’ve recently been learning how to do some simple alterations on my own and taking in waists is the major reason.

  2. Wildkitten

    Love Nanette Lepore, but I don’t like the tweaks on this suit. These pieces don’t look stitched together in a fun way to me, they look haphazard.

      • Red Beagle

        +1. Nothing about it appeals to me – color, print, asymmetrical hem, slit, mismatched pattern. Too quirky for my style though I imagine there are plenty of people who could pull it off.

  5. 1 Month after First Date

    Threadjack – I met a guy for the first time for drinks, and we seemed to hit it off really well. He informed me a day or two before our date that he was going out-of-state for some time to visit his family. “Some time” turns out to be a little over a month.

    Anyway, he has been contacting me a bunch since he left and keeps talking to me about what things we should do when he is back in my city. I get the vibe that he likes me as much as I like him, but I am unsure how to proceed. I’m very excited to talk to him and for him to come back so we can hang out. But 1 month away after just a first date is weird. I don’t want to overdo it with the texting and all of that. I don’t want him to feel like he has to call or text me when he’s with family. Any tips? I pretty much only respond to his messages and don’t reach out besides that. Is this rude? I’ve also never asked him to contact me or anything so I don’t think I’m being too pushy. This is very unknown territory for me!

    • roses

      It’s not rude, per se, but if you’re not reciprocating his texts and such, he will probably get the vibe that you’re not as into him as he is to you, which doesn’t seem to be true. He probably just wants to keep the connection going even though he’s away, and as long as you’re not having deep exchanges or talking 24/7, texting is a great way to do that. Don’t overthink it; if you want to message him, message him; if not, don’t, but realize that you might be sending an “I’m not that into you” signal if you don’t.

    • anon

      I think it’s okay to not reach out (maybe occasionally would be nice) and leave him to initiate, but if you don’t respond positively to his texts you might send him the message that you’re not interested. Given that he’s only going to be gone for another week (or two?), I’d just play along- it’s not like you’re wasting a ton of time texting him- and hope that the second date goes well!

    • Hollis

      Call me old-fashioned, but how about telephone conversations where you connect and talk about stuff, and not just text, which does not convey tone, feeling, sarcasm, etc. very well? I started out long distance from my now husband (married for a decade now), and those phone calls are how we learned a lot about each other. By the time we reconnected in person, our relationship had already developed into a closer one, since I knew all about his job, family, birthday, preferences for things. He may be busy, but everyone can use some downtime when visiting their families.

      • JJ

        Meant for OP:

        This happened to me but it was for two months. I thought it was strange but liked him enough to keep responding. That was five years ago and he’s now my husband :)

      • Ellen

        Hollis is right. I also HATE texteing. It is very hard to read peeople through stupid word’s on an IPHONE. Beside’s, Gonzalo texted me alot of semidirty picture’s to try and make me think of him as more Latin-macho, but it backfired b/c all he wanted was to grab my tuchus, and more if I let him (which for the RECORD I did NOT). Alan also texted me, but mainley to tell me that he would be late b/c he was workeing (ie drinking) late. FOOEY!

        To interact with a man, you should at a minimum talk on the phone, so you can tell if they are telling the truth. For guy’s who text, they could even be with a woman when they are texting telling you how wonder ful you are, but then telling the woman they are responding to a WORK message. FOOEY! He could NOT get away with that on the phone b/c I would hear the girlfreind in the background or him waffeling on the phone if he was lying to me. DOUBEL FOOEY! Willem texted me from Brazil to tell me he was there, but we did NOT have a text conversation. I think he may still want me to marry him and move back to Belgum, but it’s no way HOZE on that, even if his grandmother flipp’s her goatee! TRIPEL FOOEY!

    • TO Lawyer

      Dating sucks as does texting so I understand how you feel. I agree with the comments that suggest you reach out a bit if you are interested in him – he’s only gone for another week or so right? and then you can pick up where you left off – the texting is actually nice because you haven’t totally lost contact or momentum.

      Good luck!

      • OP

        He is gone for 4 more weeks. Just left a week ago. But yes I get the jist of what everyone is saying. Thanks for the responses.

        As a friend suggested, I should probably stop stressing about this :)

        • Hel-lo

          And if you’re interetsed, it’s ok to continue dating others while he’s gone. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.

          I went on 3 dates once and then left for a family vacation for like 2 weeks. I am now married to that guy too. :)

      • OP

        No. I’m 100% sure of this. He’s a grad student in my home town on a summer vacation trip with his family for the month. He’s not being shady in any way and he contacts me himself a good amount each day.

    • Baconpancakes

      Not sure if you’re still checking for replies, but this exact thing happened to a friend of mine – except he left for a job assignment for three months even BEFORE their first date. They met at a party, hit it off, exchanged numbers, set up a date, and then he had to cancel it and left for a job assignment (government) for three months. She thought it was very weird, and was put off, even though they’d had a great couple of conversations. When he came back, they started texting again, and when they actually went out on a date, she felt head over heels. They’re well-matched, crazy about each other, and moving in together next month.

      If you want to talk to him while he’s away, do. Don’t wait for him to text you if you want to contact him – that’s very passive and a little wimpy. However, if you want to wait for him to get back to actually see him in person, do that, and tell him exactly that. “I really like talking to you, and I’d like to set up a date when you get back, but it feels a little weird to be talking so much when we’ve only gone out once. How about we go out when you get back and see where it goes from there?”

  6. Anon

    I’ve been struggling with feeling very socially inhibited lately, and I generally have a really hard time speaking up. I usually feel like I’m inarticulate and an impostor. I know I should just talk more, but it’s really hard. Anyone else been through something similar, or otherwise have any advice?

    • Kind of quiet

      I’m not Susie Outgoing (not a hermit, either, just sort of middle of the road). Then I went to law school, which seemed to be socratic method to the Nth degree as a first year: perpetual grilling, flying by the seat of your pants, in public, no prep time, lots of looking a bit not ready for prime time, etc.

      How I got through it: mentally pretending that I had already knocked back a few. And that seemed to do the trick: the words would just come and it didn’t feel weird or anything. No one really cared (and maybe people were relieved that someone participated in verbal give and take and spared them). Maybe this is method acting for a more verbally dynamic life?

      It’s helped a lot socially when I’ve been the new girl somewhere — just start speaking to strangers and see who the nice ones are. Can’t sit around waiting for the world to speak first.

    • AIMS

      You sound like you already know this but practice does make perfect. While it can be anxiety-inducing to put yourself out there, try to do it more and maybe start by doing it where the stakes are lower for you so you feel more comfortable. Volunteering for something can be a good opportunity to practice your social skills without feeling like you’re going to embarrass yourself in front of people you have to work or socialize with. Or even just practice with strangers – compliment someone on their hat or ask someone about their dog. It’s a good way to get comfortable speaking to different people.

      Also, one thing I have noticed is that people are who are good at social interactions have a couple of go to stories or stock expressions they go with. Pay attention to those people and work on similar ones for yourself. I had a boss once who was very good at this. He’d hear someone say a clever line or point and then he’d repeat it to others as though it just came to him. It always went over well (even if after a while I felt like I was hearing a bunch of “greatest hits” – most people loved it). If you have a friend who’s especially adept at this, follow him/her around and observe.

      • Anon

        Thanks, both of you. Does talking come naturally to most people, or is what to say and how to say it (both in social and in more work-related situations) something that everyone has to work on?

        • abogada

          I theorize that it comes naturally to some people. For those to whom it does not come naturally, some learn how to do it over time (at which point it becomes second nature or habit) and others always struggle.

          • AIMS

            I agree. I think some people have a natural flair, some learn it growing up, others just work on it. There’s a lot of books and articles on introverts vs extroverts (and some discussion here in the past, I think) that you may find helpful. I think some of the issues may overlap.

        • Hel-lo

          I’m a person to whom socializing comes naturally. Same for my dad. He’s the kind of salesman-type guy that can talk to anyone. I have always loved customer service jobs.

          “Also, one thing I have noticed is that people are who are good at social interactions have a couple of go to stories or stock expressions they go with. ” – This is exactly true. To start a conversation, I usually compliment someone or ask what they think of shared circumstances, i.e., the art on the wall, the food, or ask how they know the host.

    • Coach Laura

      Been there. Try joining Toastmasters. It’s good for a lot of that not just for formal talks.

      • hoola hoopa

        I haven’t done it, but I know several people who swear by Toastmasters for this.

        • Red Beagle

          Definitely Toastmasters. It’s for more than just public speaking – the skill set translates to interviews and other sticky one-on-one conversational situations both business and personal.

    • In the Pink

      I would also read “Quiet” as it is a positive spin on introverts and has some good ideas. It is by Susan Cain.

  7. Philanthropy Girl

    Interview attire question:

    I’m interviewing for a staff (director level) position at a local institution of higher ed. I’m not aware of any women in this level of position, so I’m not sure about appropriate attire. Men typically seem to be business casual (polos and khakis), including the President and VPs.

    Normally I would never show up at an interview in anything less than a suit, but I’m 8 months pregnant and don’t have a suit or blazer that fits. I haven’t needed one in my current job, and even if I get this job, it would be highly unlikely I’d need one in my pregnancy size. Can I get away with a blouse and slacks, or perhaps a lightweight black dress, without a jacket, or is that a major faux pas?

    • Jenny

      I think blazer that you can’t close would work in this situation.

      Pregnant women get a lot of interviewing slack in my book.

    • Maddie Ross

      I think I would go the black dress direction. I agree with Jenny that you get major slack while pregnant and buying a maternity suit is an unnecessary expense. Good luck!

    • mss

      I think a black dress would be fine. Anyone who cares should be condemned. But if you have a few days, you could check out Mine for Nine and rent a blazer.

      • JJ

        I agree totally. I work in a law firm and if someone was interviewing for a job while very pregnant, I would never expect them to buy a suit just for that. And I certainly wouldn’t ding her for not having a full suit that fits.

    • Nancy P

      Not sure if this is one of your options, but I would do a nice maternity dress and non-maternity blazer. I appeared in federal court a few times while 6-7 months pregnant and wore this — no one seemed to look twice.

    • Philanthropy Girl

      Thanks for setting my mind at ease! Sounds like black dress it is!

    • Miz Swizz

      I want to echo the black dress and some smart jewelry. I worked with a woman who constantly rocked statement jewelry whilst pregnant because she wanted to keep her maternity wardrobe pared down and it added some nice punch to outfits when she couldn’t fit into her suits.

  8. Hollis

    I don’t like this suit. The pattern is a little too much for anyone with a smaller frame, the pattern on the fabric of the skirt does not match up and looks like a mistake, and the slit on the skirt make this inappropriate for court, interview, client meetings, or even speaking engagements. The whole point of a skirt suit, in my opinion, is to look professional and put-together and this one is not empowering, and certainly not worth $700.

    • AIMS

      I don’t $700 love the suit, but I think it’s cute and if it was on sale for say under $200 and looked flattering, I’d probably buy it. Yes, it’s not an interview suit but that’s sort of the point of the suit of the week feature as it says right up top. Also, I generally err on the side of more formal and I don’t think this would be out of place in too many court settings or at a non-major presentation (say, to teach a CLE). The slit is tiny and it’s a fall/winter suit so one could probably wear it with black tights anyway. Now as far as the back of the blazer – the trench coat effect I could do without, but otherwise I don’t think anything about this suit is particularly unprofessional.

      • JJ

        Yeah, I think (if it were way cheaper) this suit would fill a good need in my wardrobe: not interview-formal suit that I could wear while presenting, meeting less formal clients, state-court hearings, etc.

      • Bonnie

        Agree with AIMS. I $200 love this suit. I don’t even mind the slit. The leather trim makes this more of a fall/winter suit for me so I’d likely wear it with black tights which would diminish the va va voom of the slit.

    • Anonymous

      Really? On me that slit would be 2 inches above the knee. I don’t like the pattern but I don’t think it’s inappropriate for court and certainly fine for a speaking engagement.

      • Hollis

        Actually, I take that back about the slit being too high – I thought it went up higher than it actually does. But wouldn’t the whole look be better if the skirt was a solid piece and did not have the clashing pattern and the slit? To me, it’s just distracting.

        • Wildkitten

          That’s probably why she shifted her review from “inappropriate” to “distracting.”

      • Wildkitten

        I think because the patterns are off the slit looks much higher than it actually is. It looks like it goes halfway up the skirt, when I hope/think it is only actually an open slit for the first two inches.

      • Hel-lo

        I’d buy this suit for $200, and sew up the slit, and add a slit in the back. Shouldn’t be that hard.

    • Nan

      Are we back to thinking that clothing has the capability to “empower” or “not empower” us? A commenter from a while back said it best: Having actual power is empowering. Clothes are not empowering.

      • Hollis

        I remember that discussion well. The commenter said there’s a difference between feeling empowered (which comes from actually having power) and feeling good about yourself. This suit would not make me feel good about myself – the jacket with a black sheath dress maybe, but not that skirt. But a much better pick than this morning’s serpent dress.

      • Wildkitten

        Having power is the MOST empowering (definition 1), but clothes can help you feel powerful (definition 2) which is useful when you are still on your journey to power.

  9. Lynnet

    While searching for an awesome piece I saw someone on the street wearing (tan silk drape jacket about waist length, if anyone wants to do some virtual shopping) I found a website called IceMooseShop (www.icemooseshop.com). It has some gorgeous silk dresses for very cheap, but the prices and the fact that I’ve never heard of it before, combined with some other indicators make me think that it might be a scam website. Does anyone have any experience with this company?

Back to Top

About

Work with Corporette®

Serious Stuff

work fashion blog press mentions