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Suit of the Week: Theory

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Corporette's Suit of the Week: TheoryFor 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 think it's official: the long blazer is back. I saw a woman wearing one a week or so ago (in the wild) and thought she looked very chic, and TONS of designers are showing them. I have mixed feelings about the trend, as someone sort of lived through it the first time (it was a big part of my look for Mock Trial and other gussied-up school events when I was a teenager — I'll see if I can find a picture for Throwback Thursday on Instagram). I think it's inherently a casual look, at least as styled here, but it's not altogether unflattering. I would probably wear it with a blouse with a bit more shape to it — perhaps a fitted button-front — but I hesitantly like it. (This “dark merlot” color is gorgeous, though, and very easy for me to like!)  Ladies, what do you think of the trend? The blazer (Theory Marcella Blazer) is $455, and the pants (Theory Louise Urban Trousers) are $275, both at ShopBop.
Theory Marcella Blazer Theory Louise Urban Trousers
(L-5) P.S. Are a lot of you guys on Instagram? I've been pondering whether a “style challenge” might be a fun way to see what people are wearing — I'd put together a list of things for us to try to wear for every day for a month (or maybe two days of the week, or some such) and then we'd all share pictures on Instagram with a hashtag. For example:  we could start off with the basics (let's see your interview suit! Let's see your basic black sheath!) and maybe throw in a few fun days (mix patterns! wear something menswear inspired! wear a workday piece on the weekend! wear the girliest piece of workwear you own!) I'd love to know your thoughts — fun? frightening? Yea? Nay? P.P.S. I don't know where I'd wear this suit (evening event, I suspect), but it's gorgeous.  

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

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

81 Comments

  1. This suit is what I would wear to a business meeting if I were a supermodel. And I’d rock it. But in my real life – no.

    1. +1. being very petite and hourglassy means that long jackets really do not suit me. I’m also just about convinced that everything looks better on tall & thin ladies, *sigh*

      1. There are so many places to find fashion inspiration outside of models! Everything “looks” better on tall and thin ladies because that is our current cultural ideal. However, there are many who disagree. Salma Hayek looks great in her clothes, but she probably does not have to dress like a corporate employee.

      2. Yay! It is VERY styleish, Kat, but I am NOT svelte and tall enough to get away with it. It would look on me like I was weareing my Dad’s suit from Rosa’s wedding — all I would need is tail’s! FOOEY! But cute on the right person without a tuchus or “shelf” as I am told I now have. DOUBEL FOOEY!

        Noah called (not texted) and said he could NOT make it b/c he had to do a doubel shift, but he would make it up to me by comeing over with DELI to my apartement after he got off. I told him OK, but he has to change OUT of his scrub’s b/f he get’s here b/c there is ALOT of disease in the ER and I do NOT want him comeing over here with smelley scrub’s with stuff on them from peeople who are sick with stuff in the ER. He said he would. I told him I do NOT like scrub’s even clean one’s b/c they look like PJs and who want’s to see someone walkeing around in PJs on the street! NOT ME.

        Mom called to let me know that Rosa might be pregnant again! I can NOT believe it. I have YET to find a guy who want’s to do more then have sex with me and Ed is makeing babie’s in her like there’s no tomorrow. Mabye she will let me adopt one b/c she is probabley getting tired of all the changeing of the babie’s and all. She is SOOOOO luckey! Yay for Rosa, but where is my Prince Charmeing. Mom is not sure yet but she will check with Grandma Leyeh, who can tell just by lookeing at someone’s eye’s. I dare not tell the manageing partner’s brother b/c he will then go into a tirade into how VIRAL he is and how he could get peeople pregenent on the first try. Thank’s but no thank’s. There’s no way I want him huffeing and puffeing on top of me or anywhere near me. He could conk out from sex at his age and then I would have alot of expleaining to do if he did in MY apartement! DOUBEL FOOEY!!!

        I need a young guy like Noah (with clean clotheing) that can Marry me and then work to support me when we move to Chapaqua. When is that EVER goeing to hapen? HELP! I am getting to old for this dateing stuff. I just need a RICH guy to get me pregeennt and MARRY me! FOOEY!

  2. I cannot revisit the long jacket trend of my youth. Partly because of the negative associations I have with it and partly because it’s not really flattering on me. I’m not seeing it in the wild in my Midwestern city, but I’m assuming it is coming.

    Edit: Why am I on permanent moderation?

  3. I am loving the long blazers. I’m wearing one from Aritzia today, with J.Crew minnies and a silk shell, and I’ve gotten so many compliments. I’ll post a link to the blazer as a reply

  4. I like the look of a long blazer on its own, but not a long blazer as part of a suit. As part of a suit, it just stirs up images for me of frumpy attorneys who are still wearing long blazers with pleated front pants and hushpuppies shoes. I just can’t.

    2. I love the right long blazer over a sheath dress, or with cropped pants, but agree on the no suits feeling. And I wasn’t old enough to wear it the first time around!

  5. I think I like it. At first I rolled my eyes because I am also old enough to have worn them last time around – but the “suit” for women in my field is trousers with a long, open cardigan. This seems like a natural step.

    1. I’m not crazy about the long blazer, but I still love me a long cardigan. They just beg to be snuggled up with on a couch.

  6. I’m on Instagram. I think it would be fun to do a style challenge. It could help me get creative with using the clothes I already own.

    1. I doubt I would participate – I’m not going to wear my interview suit for anything but an interview – but I’d love to see how other normal people style things.

      2. Caphillstyle’s Instagram feed is great for this…some of her stuff is designer, but by no means all of it.

      3. I definitely wouldn’t participate, as I’m not on any form of social media. I’m not sure how many other people totally avoid it, though. Still a cool idea.

        1. This +1,000,000

          Many professions need and often require a no-presence on the web. Bad enough that there are real estate sites which show residences, purchase info, etc. and even the most innocuous of sites (pinterest, instagram) are sources of potential troubles…

          Nice idea, Kat, but probably the wrong audience here.

    2. I’m very curious about why people would be willing to participate and not concerned about outing themselves.

      1. I would be down for a style challenge, and I’d love to see what other people are wearing! And my IG name has nothing to do with my handle here, so I’m not concerned about outing myself, short of standing in front of an easily-recognizable local landmark flaunting emerald jewelry.

        1. Even if your IG name has nothing to do with your handle, it may be enough for people to recognize you. I recognized a regular based on her comments/details about her life, and her handle has zero to do with anything in her life (that I know of).

          1. I mean, I’m just not that worried about people figuring out who I am on here. I prefer to keep it anonymous, but for anything I really want to keep a secret, I go to anon. Otherwise, I don’t say anything that would be embarrassing. My concern would be more like Diana Barry said, that posting pics of yourself would seem frivolous (although I wish I didn’t feel that way!). But I might still do it, and I would love to look at others’.

          2. I’m moderately into social media (check feeds now and then, enjoy pinterest because I’m visual) and I’m not concerned about outing myself (I don’t look anything like a red beagle) so I’m up for a style challenge. Couldn’t participate in business formal or suits as my office and my look is squarely business casual.

        2. Actually emeralds, I think I know the handle you used to use here, and while under that handle you linked to a blog that included pictures of yourself. I don’t know you IRL, but I might recognize you in other photos. I don’t want to be creepy here, but I am probably not the only reader who knows your previous handle and looked at the blog.

      2. I use my real name on IG, but unless I come back and comment here about what I wore I don’t think there would be any association between the two. But I’ll have to think about that more…

        I don’t think I could follow all the challenges – like the interview suit, b/c I don’t even have one – but I’d be interested in the other ones!

      3. Yeah, I’m not keen…I wouldn’t want the people from my work seeing that I was doing a style challenge.

        1. Do people from your work follow you on Instagram? Or is it linked to your Facebook where they’re your friends? I am not friends on social media with people from work, except for my LinkedIn, which isn’t linked to any other of my accounts.

          1. I don’t think that is the point. I think the issue is that, if there is a Corporette instagram outfit challenge, people who read Corporette will look at it (even if they don’t have Instagram, and even if they don’t post a photo). And I wouldn’t be surprised if someone recognizes a friend/coworker/opposing counsel/mortal enemy/etc.

          2. They might be friends of my friends, I don’t know. Actually it’s more that I wouldn’t want my friends to see me doing a style challenge…seems too frivolous to me. :)

          3. I was introduced to this blog by a friend, and I’ve told a lot of friends about it, so it’s very likely I would be recognized. That said, my friends (if they’re ever actually on here) can probably tell it’s me. I have too much personality to hide!

            Edit – I fixed the s i t e name I originally had written – does moderation not go away after you change it?

          4. BP – moderation does not go away after you fix it. However, you can make a new comment where you copy and paste your fixed comment, and go back and delete your first comment. It’s more complicated to explain it than to do it.

      2. +1. (I’ll add that if you’re smaller than a size S/4-6, I’d say you’re out of luck. Not to be all trigger-y and gross, but I’m a 4 or 6 now, and have been a 2 or 4 in recent memory; the S/4-6 fits my enhanced curvature perfectly, but I don’t think they would have stayed up before the extra couple of pounds.)

        1. I don’t think that being smaller than a S means you’re out of luck – Zella also carries XS and XXS. I have the XXS, and found that they fit comparably to a 00-0 in brands like theory, kate spade, and banana republic or a 2-4 in lululemon.

  8. I want a girl with a short skirt and a looooooooooooooooooooooooooong…

    long jacket!

  11. I could not participate even though the idea sounds interesting! I don’t quite believe in the interview suit personally and advocate personal, while yet corporate appropriate style to liven up the work life. Other ideas do sound great though and I do constantly wear my work clothes during weekends as I want to maximize the usage of my wardrobe which I try very hard to keep as a sort of an capsule collection.

  12. Has anyone ever done a diet along with their SO for moral support? I agreed to do South Beach with my boyfriend, but since I’m not the one with weight to lose I’m having a hard time staying motivated, particularly when we aren’t together during the day. I know this might end up being a good thing for me (I definitely have sugar/carb craving issues), but any advice or commiseration is appreciated!

    1. I think eating healthier food can be good for you even if you aren’t doing it for weight loss. Can you cheat during the day but not tell him? Or, tell him, but still follow the guidelines at home to be moral support for building new habits?

    2. I’ve had my SO do a diet along with me for moral support and I really don’t care whether he sticks to it when we’re not together! I just (a) need him to participate in eating/making meals that fit my plan and (b) not bring junk food into the house. Since I’m the cook if I’m home, this works well – he eats my stuff at home but I assume he eats bad stuff at lunch or when I’m eating at the office.

    3. Did you promise to stick to it faithfully? I think sticking with any diet in the home is supporting your SO, and it’s completely unnecessary to stick to it outside of the home. Examples: Many of my friends are vegetarian, but their SO’s aren’t. When either of them cooks, it’s always vegetarian, and they don’t even buy things like deli meat, but when they’re getting takeout or eating at a restaurant, the non-veggie partner often gets meat-based dishes.

      I wouldn’t flaunt your non-South Beach foods in front of your SO, or talk about the amazing pizza you had at lunch, but being supportive and invested in the diet, even if you cheat when you’re not at home, would be fine in my book.

    4. Yep, doing WW with my husband right now. We started about 3 months ago and he has lost about 17 pounds and I have lost 8. Great stuff! Highly recommend it. Best thing about it is we’re on the same team about keeping junk/trigger food out of the house and eat the same lunch and dinner every day (he at the home office/I at work for lunch). Highly, highly recommend. On the question of doing it for moral support not weight loss, agree with other posters about saving your off-plan choices for meals you don’t eat together and keeping those to yourself. I do that every time I splurge a bit on a frozen yogurt or something while running errands. Need to know basis, and he doesn’t.

  13. I think long jackets look great, especially on those of use who are taller. I completely disagree with the idea that a longer jacket is “inherently a casual look.” I purposely buy suits with longer jackets when I can, and usually skip the shorter ones entirely (shorter jackets are often too short-waisted for me). It’s a matter of personal taste and what looks best on you, but both longer and shorter jackets are professional.

    1. I think there is a difference between a slightly longer jacket and a jacket that is exaggeratedly long, such as the one in the photo.

  14. I have to wear my work polo to an event on Saturday and am struggling with how to style it. Everything I’ve tried so far says “camp counselor” which isn’t quite the look I’m going for. Help?

    1. Huh? You’re wearing a work polo. Put on your pleat front kakhis and own it.

      Or buy it a size too small and wear it with skinny jeans and flats and look way overdressed.

      2. Do you have a specific store in mind for pleat front khakis? I’d prefer at least five pleats on each side.

        1. I’d go vintage Banana Republic on Ebay. Cuffed and with double belt loops, obviously.

    2. Avoid khakis. You could do cute ankle length pants or a pencil skirt. I’d wear it with jeans, cute flats, and a statement belt and necklace.

      1. +1. Unless it is a size or two too small and has non-polo elements such as cap sleeves or is somewhat cropped, at least above the hip.

    4. Try the Pixie pants at Old Navy. Pattern or plain. Plus cute shoes (flats, tennis or oxford).

  15. Are animal print shoes a less formal thing? For example, if you worked in an office that required a suit most days (or one step below that) would snakeskin or leopard print be out of place?

    1. Depends on the shoe. Midheel, classic shaped pump in a muted color palette? Totally fine. Neon orange snakeskin or 5 inch leopard print heels, not so much.

        2. I think the color palette is totally fine. The combination of gold heel and d’orsay cutout would put them firmly in the “not seeing clients” wardrobe for me, but they are cute shoes.

        4. I think you could only really wear those on a no court/clients day with pants. Otherwise, they they are just a bit too much. If they had even just one less thing going on I think they’d be fine. The ones AIMS linked are definitely safer and more versatile in my book.

    2. I think statement shoes can look awesome with a very conservative outfit – like hot pink snakeskin with a black sheath dress and suit jacket. But I wouldn’t wear them to trial or an interview.

  16. All this talk of long jackets reminds me of the long jacket/sheath dress combos that were popular in the 90s. I had a blue one with black piping that made me feel like Agent Scully, and to this day, I am secretly hoping that look makes a comeback in my lifetime…

    1. Yes! Agent Scully – was just watching re-runs and this trend looks like old X-files.

  17. I don’t know that a longer jacket automatically makes a look more casual, but this particular jacket/suit just feels more casual. When I first saw the picture I instantly thought of the wrinkle-free (travel?) “separates” my mom wears. I think it may look otherwise IRL or even with just a different top but as is it just doesn’t feel like a “suit” suit.

  18. When do you ladies retire work clothes or suits that start to show signs of wear? I have a suit that’s about 6 years old and getting shiny. I also have some blouses that are starting to look a little faded. And when you get rid of work clothing, where do you send it? I have a hard time knowing when to let work clothes go because I wear my casual items until they have holes!

    1. Shiny to me means there is about to be a hole, and I don’t want that hole to spring in the middle of trial, so I retire suits as soon as they get shiny. Clothes that have holes should go to the Planet Aid clothes recycling bins or the trash. Clothes that are still nice looking should go to Dress for Success.

    2. I too wear my jeans until there is less fabric than skin in the crotch, but I don’t do that for work clothes. Shiny means they need to be retired. That said, I know it can be hard to let stuff go — both my BR and Theory suits recently have shown signs of wear way way earlier than their predecessors. It stinks, because I can visualize flushing that money away, but it is better than wearing a ragged suit.

      When clothes are done, I either keep them for patterns for my own sewing, use them for rags, or toss them. I only donate clothes that are still nice looking, like Wildkitten says, but which are not my style despite being in good shape. If a shirt is faded but in good condition (seams intact, fabric not worn), I might get rid of that but allow someone to repurpose it if I am not willing to do so myself.

  19. (1) Not on social media, and would want to stay anon, so no IG for me.
    (2) Indifferent to the long jacket. It can be fantastic with a sheath dress – really formalizes that look. But it can make “pants suits” look frumpy. (Love that comment that included the reference to hushpuppy shoes.) Maybe a long jacket with pants begs for higher heels? Or almost pencil-narrow pants? I could see that.
    (3) I LOVE the dressy suit you posted. Love it – would wear it to a wedding or other weekend event.

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