Suit of the Week: Semantiks Mélange Suit
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We really like this black and white combo suit from Semantiks, available at Nordstrom. The piping on the jacket is interesting without being distracting, and the cut of the suit is feminine without being frou-frou. The Semantiks Mélange Jacket is $138, and the Semantiks ‘Moonlit' Mélange Trousers are $88. There's a coordinating Semantiks ‘Moonlit' Mélange Pencil Skirt, also, priced at $68.
Sales of note for 4/10:
- Nordstrom – End of Season Sale – Spring styles up to 50% off – lots of great deals from Natori, Boss, Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss, Spanx, True & Co., Hanky Panky, Commando, Tory Burch, Theory, Zella, CeCe, Eliza J, Halogen, Vince Camuto, and more.
- Ann Taylor – 30% off tops and sweaters, and (4/10 only) 25% off dresses, skirts and shoes
- Boden – 15% off new styles with code
- Brooklinen – 15% off sitewide, plus up to 50% off bundles
- Brooks Brothers – Friends & Family Event, 25% off sitewide. Lots of cute florals and stripes in the sale.
- Evereve – 1000+ items on sale, including lots from Alex Mill, Michael Stars, Sanctuary, Rails, Xirena, and Z-Supply
- Express – $40 off $120, $100 off $250
- J.Crew – Midseason sale: Extra 40% off sale styles, 200+ new styles just added!
- J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything
- Lands' End – 50% off full price styles and 60% off all clearance and sale – lots of ponte dresses come down under $25, and this packable raincoat in gingham is too cute
- Loft – All jeans $41, 40% off entire purchase
- Macy's – 25% off already reduced prices + 15% off beauty & fragrance
- M.M.LaFleur – Spring Sale Event – Buy More, save more! 10% off $250+, 15% off $500+, 20% off $750+, 25% off $1000+ (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off if you find any exclusions.)
- Sephora – Spring sale! 20% off for Rouge members starting today, and 30% off the Sephora Collection for everyone — if you're looking for a really muted everyday eyeshadow, I like both 106 and 301 here!
- Talbots – 40% off regular price tops + 30% off everything else
- Vivrelle – Looking to own less stuff but still try trends? Use code CORPORETTE for a free month, and borrow high-end designer clothes and bags!
And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
Some of our latest threadjacks include:
- becoming more connected with people
- what doing your best really means
- feeling like your job is in danger
- brunch food for a large group
- changing your name at marriage — or not
- estate planning and leaving money to charity
- seeing your PCP for gynecological / well-woman care
- New Year's resolutions
- inheriting six figures
- what socks to wear with loafers
- how to prevent another panic attack
- what to do about a parent who drinks too much
- how to buy a house in a VHCOL area
I’m finishing up my graduate degree and just starting to learn more about proper corporate attire. Thank you so much for this incredibly educational blog!
I was wondering about suiting materials. My friends have advised me to avoid polyester and other synthetic materials, saying that they look “cheap”. Personally, I can’t tell the difference, but apparently the discerning eyes at prestigious companies *can* tell the difference. Yet, I notice that a lot of the suits you feature are made of viscose/ polyester/ etc, including the one above.
Can most peers and higher ups in Corporate America really tell the difference? And if so, how much does it matter to them?
I definitely trend toward wool and away from synthetics for suits. When I was first starting out (four or five years ago), I had no problem with a suit from Ann Taylor that was made of synthetics, but over time I realized that they wear poorly and do look cheaper than suits made of natural fabrics. As you become more successful and make more money, I think it makes sense to invest in suits that don’t contain syntethics – plus you’ll get your mnoey’s worth, because you can keep and wear them much longer.
i find that synthetic blends don’t clean (as in dry cleaning) as well as natural fibers.
nordstrom has another private label – classique entier, that has a higher price point and nicer fabrication.
It’s true that synthetic fabrics often wear more quickly than wool. But for me, synthetics are the way to go because they are more comfortable, and I find that since my weight fluctuates and styles change, I don’t really want to keep a suit forever anyway. Many of my clothes are a wool/synthetic mix, which gives them a more flattering drape for my figure. Keep in mind that simple black clothes rarely look cheap; for other colors the quality of the fabric is more noticeable.
I think as a junior person, the color, fit and accessories you choose are much more important than whether your clothes are made of synthetics. If your office is business casual, check out the book “Casual Power” which talks about creating a professional image even if you don’t wear a suit.
Classiques Entier is definitely worth the investment. I have a suit from ’96 and still wear the jacket with jeans and receive compliments – it’s a fitted navy with a zipper and I love it. Bought another in ’99 and decided to retire it last year but I miss wearing it – gray, with hooks and eyes, but it’s time has passed. Also have suits by Talora that have lasted for years, and one was actually found on sale at Nordstrom.