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Updated: Nov 1, 2018 91 Comments · by

Suit of the Week: Banana Republic

Suit of the Week

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Banana Republic Sleek Suit BlazerFor 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. Lately I'm really into the details that Banana Republic is putting on its suits, such as fun linings. To wit: I luuurve the stripey lining on this sleek suit blazer (also available in navy and tan), and I like that it's offered with a flounce skirt as well as a pencil skirt and straight-leg pants (Martin fit). The jacket (Banana Republic Sleek Suit Blazer) is $158, the skirt (Banana Republic Sleek Suit Flounce Skirt) is $79.50, and the pants (Banana Republic Martin-Fit Sleek Suit Straight Leg) are $79.50, but take an additional 35% off sitewide today (exclusively online) with code BRMAY35.
Banana Republic Sleek Suit Blazer Banana Republic Sleek Suit Flounce Skirt Banana Republic Martin-Fit Sleek Suit Straight Leg
(L-5)

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Comments

  1. Beach Reads

    I could use some good beach reads – any suggestions? I’m open to any genre, from sci-fi, dystopian YA, to murder mysteries. I also love a good series, if anyone has recommendations for those. Thanks!

    • Anon

      Just read the Divergent series and they’re pretty quick beach reads. I also liked JK Rowling’s thriller, The Cuckoo’s Calling.

    • Mpls

      Nalini Singh – Either her Psy/Changling series (11 or 12 books, with the next one out next month) or her Archangel series (5 or 6 books). Both are in the paranormal romance genre, but with great world-building/sci-fi elements. I was a little meh on the first couple books of the Psy/Changling series but it really builds well, so I would recommend pushing through those if you have a hard time getting started.

    • AIMS

      If you like YA and sci-fi and want a good series, get the Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix. It’s got a spunky girl heroine, a talking cat, it’s funny, all around awesome.

    • Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie

      Beautiful Ruins is amazing!

      I also just finished The Selection series and absolutely loved it from start to finish, unlike The Divergent Series, whose last book made me want to punch a wall.

    • Terry

      “Gone Girl”! I’d describe it as a gripping thriller – a wonderful psychological portrait of a very disturbed, calculating person (maybe two very disturbed people). I’m a sucker for murder mysteries and this really got me.

    • Pink

      A discovery of witches… the second book is available and the third is coming this july!

    • Lily student

      Everything by Rainbow Rowell! I love all her stuff I’ve read. Also The Cuckoo’s Calling. I recently enjoyed The Light Between Oceans too

    • Miss Behaved

      I just finished Casebook by Mona Simpson. And it’s seriously the best book I’ve read in at least 6 months. And when I say I just finished it I mean about a half hour ago on the treadmill. I just started reading it yesterday. So, so good!

    • Sparrow

      Here’s a mix of books I’ve read in the past few months

      Reconstructing Amelia – Kimberly McCreight (YA-ish / mystery)
      The Passage and its sequel The Twelve- Justin Cronin (SciFi / Dystopian)
      The Fault In Our Stars – John Green (YA)
      Wool – Hugh Howey (SciFi / Dystopian)
      Enclave / Outpost / Horde – Ann Aguirre (YA dystopian)

      • Coach Laura

        I just got Reconstructing Amelia and The Fault In Our Stars on my kindle, so I’m looking forward to those.

        I recommend Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie series (plus Life after Life for something a bit different).

        I just read Monuments Men and am starting Madeline Albright’s Prague Winter after someone here mentioned it in passing.

    • NOLA

      I really enjoyed the Scumble River mystery series by Denise Swanson. I think the characters were even better than the mystery parts.

    • Corporate Cowgirl

      Just finished “The Whole Golden World” and really enjoyed it. It’s engrossing but not difficult to read or require too much concentration. That is my criteria for a great beach book.

    • cbackson

      The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by NK Jemisin. I didn’t enjoy the other books in the universe nearly as much, but THTK was amazing.

    • lucy stone

      I am absolutely obsessed with Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak series. The books are about a woman in the Alaskan bush who ends up investigating crimes.

    • Lady Harriet

      If you like fantasy & sci-fi I highly recommend anything by Brandon Sanderson. He tends to write really long books, but if you prefer something shorter he came out with two YA novels last year–The Rithmatist (steampunky fantasy) and Steelheart (dystopian sci-fi.) If you want a longer fantasy book then his standalone novel Elantris is a good place to start, and he has a couple of series as well. Everything he writes is good.

      If you want a YA book you can finish in a few hours, Patricia C. Wrede’s Dealing With Dragons is delightful. I first read it (and its sequels) when I was 10 and I’ve read them at least once a year since then. Her novel Sorcery and Cecelia is a YA fantasy set in Regency England which is tons of fun. (The sequels to that aren’t as good.) If Regency England fantasy appeals to you (as it does to me!) I like Mary Robinette Koval’s books. I’ve read the first two, which are good but have weak endings, but I’ve heard reliably that the later books are better. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is also supposed to be good.

      If you want urban fantasy I like Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files books. The first couple aren’t as good, but the series gets better as it goes on. The books, especially the early ones, can be quite graphically violent, fyi.

      For mysteries, if you haven’t read the Lord Peter Wimsey novels by Dorothy Sayers, you must! They were written in the 20’s and 30’s and have held up very well. I also like Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series.

      • cbackson

        Oh, I love Dorothy Sayers. Gaudy Night is one of my favorite books of all time. I think that the Peter/Harriet love story is so delightful…

    • Lynnet

      I like a lot of these recommendations, to them I’ll add:

      The Vlad Taltos series by Stephen Brust, first book is Jhereg- A genre book set in a Hungarian influenced world that begins as a caper series but goes on to explore many different styles and themes.

      The Miles Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold, first book is The Warrior’s Apprentice- I consider this series to be the pinnacle of the space opera genre (sub-genre?).

    • Jules

      Late to the party, but here are some I’ve enjoyed recently:

      Gone Girl (already recommended by others)
      Is Everyone Hanging out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
      Before I Go to Sleep (a truly great and creepy suspense novel) by S.J. Watson
      Absolutely anything by Kate Atkinson. She has a series that are sort of genre detective novels, but of a higher caliber than most, starting with Case Histories. Also, Life after Life
      Any of the Dublin-based detective novels by Tana French; The Likeness (the most psychologically interesting, with a young woman officer undercover as a murder victim who could have been her twin) and Faithful Place probably are my favorites. The first one is Into the Woods, also very good.

    • Beach Reads

      Thanks, everyone! I’m excited to see so many new-to-me recommendations!

      • Digby

        For mysteries, the Sarah Caudwell series about London barristers – funny, witty, lighthearted. Not exactly mysteries, but the Rick Gavin (pen name of T. R. Pearson) novels about a repo guy and his buddy and some ne’er-do-wells they encounter. The Spencer Quinn novels about former cop Bernie and his failed K-9 dog Chet, told from Chet’s point of view. In a couple of the books, the conceit did get a little old, but in general, Chet makes me laugh.

      • Anony

        Thanks so much for posting this – I’ve made a list for myself too from these awesome recommendations :) Special thanks to Sparrow, whose recommendations ALL sound amazing.

  2. LilyB

    the 35% off does not apply to “BR Picks,” including the featured suit, unfortunately.

    • a passion for fashion

      seriously. i just had the whole suit, including the adorable dress, in my cart, but i dont really “need” another suit, so without the extra discount, im not doing in. hows that for willpower.

    • LH

      That’s incredibly annoying. Not that I buy much from Banana these days to begin with, but I’d be even less inclined to now that they advertised this big sale but excluded so many things from it in the fine print. The suit is cute though – I particularly like the flouncy skirt and dress and I don’t have anything like that in my wardrobe.

      • Wildkitten

        Banana is like always at least 35% off – so I wouldn’t consider this a big sale.

    • academama

      This happened to me during their last 40% off sale…I am still mad about what I think is their false advertising. Between the deceptive restrictions on sales and their spotty quality, I’m pretty much avoiding BR now.

    • Anonattorney

      I just got this suit – FYI the pencil skirt does not come in navy. And the material wrinkles very easily. That being said, it is very comfortable and looks like it’s made pretty well. The material has a bit of a sheen to it, so it feels a bit more like a fall/winter suit, than a spring/summer suit.

      • Anonattorney

        It’s also heavier than I expected – that may contribute to why I think it’s a cooler-weather suit.

      • Pink

        My co-intern had a suit from their “sleek” line and it wrinkled so badly by the time she got to the office and never really looked “put together” but YMMV. Thought you might want to know before you wear it.

        • Anonattorney

          Yep, I’ve already tried wearing it and it’s exactly as you said. I have the jacket and pants in navy. I really just have to wear them as separates because they don’t look professional enough as a suit. The jacket is cut well and has a really cute lining, so it works as a blazer on more casual days.

          It’s because the material is 50%+ cotton. That’s always going to wrinkle, in my experience.

        • Baconpancakes

          I tried it on in the store – not a fan of the “sleek” suiting line.

        • Ashley

          So the suit matches the model’s just jumped out of bed hair and slouch?

          Seriously, marketing like is off putting. The model looks unkempt. Not a look I aspire to.

  3. Maddie Ross

    Love the suit, but FYI – the Code only works on the skirt, not the pants or jacket. So I will not be ordering. Boo.

  4. TO Lawyer

    Oooo I usually only wear pencil skirts but I LOVE that flounce skirt SO much. It’s definitely going on my shopping list…

  6. Professionals Estate Planning Question

    Hi, all!

    I’m looking to speak with some professionals about their succession planning (or lack thereof) for my student note (I’m a law student). My topic is regarding professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, and portfolio managers, and their estate planning, so I would greatly appreciate anyone’s help! Essentially, I’d like to ask about if you have a succession plan for your business as part of your estate plan, what you plan for your professional/licensed practice upon your disability or death, what you hope will happen for succession planning, and similar questions – I certainly won’t be asking for the specifics of anyone’s plans (though you are welcome to share)!

    I can discuss this with people using your name or anonymously, though I will need to know what your profession is and whether you are licensed in it.

    If you are willing to help, I’d really appreciate it! If you are, please email me at: boston1lr e t t e at google mail (an old anon email I set up for this site).

    Thank you!

    • k-padi

      Email me at karenpadi at hotmail. I am no where near that stage but I know of a group of women who might be able to help.

  9. Ellen

    I love Bannana Republic and this outfit, espeacially the skirt and blazer combo–it is just formal enough for the manageing partner to pay for! Especialy b/c I do NOT have a summer outfit in Navy. Just grey, white, black and his favoreatite — RED!!!! YAY!!!! I think I would look OK in Navy with a White Silk Blouse he already bought for me when I needed to land a new cleint and impress the judge. I am tired of red and white and now need BLUE — almost patriotic I guess, but NOT at the same time.

    As for the OP, we do NOT have a formal sucession plan at our firm, but my dad want’s me to become the next manageing partner b/c I am bringeing in so much busness that is CRITICAL for the firm. If the OP is just a first year, she should know that having stability is VERY important, both in school as well as in a law firm, so we all have to think “what would we do if anything happened to the manageing partner?” In fact, Margie would also be worried b/c she is about to give birth, so the manageing partner has many more year’s he has to work. Margie confided in me that he was not sure he was still potent, but it turned out he still is “packing it”. I think that means he has active sperms, but mabye she was refering to his tecknique. Either way, she is pregenant with HIS child and he now has to work for the next 20 years or so, which make’s it tough for ME b/c I wanted to become manageing partner alot sooner then when I am in my 50’s. FOOEY! I wanted to be on the cover of NYC’s top lawyer’s as the manageing partner in our firm long before my boobies start sagging and my tuchus get’s even bigger! DOUBEL FOOEY!

    So I guess sucesion planning should also take into consideration your look’s. You want to take over while you are still cute so that you can get on the cover of the magazaine, not just a footnote for just another middel age woman lawyer with a tuchus. TRIPEL FOOEY!

  10. Banana (or JCrew) for men?

    Has anyone had any luck with Banana or JCrew for men’s suiting pieces? The husband needs some clothes and needs something a step up from Land’s End (and for some reason Jos A Banks isn’t fitting him these days). If it matters, he’s 36×30, so well-fed.

    • anne-on

      Has he tried Macy’s or Lord and Taylor? My husband used to wear a 36×30 before he lost a bit of weight and found that both Banana Republic and Jcrew cut their suiting much to slim to be very comfortable or flattering for him. Standard suits worked much better. Or heck, Brooks Brothers is running their 25% off friends and family sale now – I just got a boatload of stuff for like 70% off in the sale section.

      • AIMS

        I agree that Jcrew suiting is very slim cut. Brooks Brothers would be better and, esp. with the current sale, the prices are comparable. The quality is great, too. The fitzgerald line is the more modern one, if that matters.

      • AIMS

        Oh boy – you are so right about the BB sale. This is not good for my plan to not buy more things….
        PSA: they have this lovely cashmere wrap for $about $60 with the discount now… It’s a bit more in other colors, but still under $100. I have it in gray from last year and it’s seriously my favorite thing all winter. I know no one wants to think about cold weather items now, but this is a seriously good deal…. http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Cashmere-Ruffle-Wrap/WR00015,default,pd.html?dwvar_WR00015_Color=RED&contentpos=1&cgid=1050

    • OCAssociate

      We just went to the JCrew men’s store on Monday and picked out a new suit for my husband. Since it’s brand-new, I don’t have any info yet on how well it will wear, etc. However, we had a great experience in-store (South Coast Plaza in OC).

      They only had 1 cut of blazer – the Ludlow – and it was available in a variety of materials/colors. It fit my husband perfectly off the rack, so I can’t speak to their tailoring.

      They had 2 cuts of pants – classic and a more slim fitting one. My husband is tall and slim, so we went that direction, and it’s definitely not “skinny.”

      A note on the Banana Republic suits – I forget which ones, but several of the BR men’s suits have TERRIBLE reviews online. That’s why we went to JCrew instead.

      • Duchess

        My sister and I always liked to say “well-nourished” because of a drinking and driving PSA that aired over and over when we were in high school.

    • jjjeanette

      My husband has had some luck with BR outlet suiting, but J. Crew is too slim cut for him. His waist is 31, but he’s muscular and just looks like he’s about to bust out of the clothes. Even the BR outlet is a little on the slim side for him.

    • BB

      I second Brooks Brothers. They have lots of different fits and price points. Not sure about Banana, but J Crew suiting tends to be the tight Thom Browne type suiting (at least the stuff in their Ludlow shop is like this). It’s good for skinny hipsters who need suits.

    • Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie

      My husband loves J.crew and Banana Republic suiting and has had great luck with them. He’s a 30×30 though, and I know brands that fit good for one body type don’t necessarily work for another. His parents love getting him Eddie Bauer clothes and they drown him.

    • Senior Attorney

      My son is 34 x 30 and I got him a nice sports jacket at BR that fit really well right off the rack.

    • MegB

      My hubby buys all his suits from Patrick James or Brooks Brothers. He’s old fashioned, what can I say, and doesn’t like the slimmer cuts. They wear like iron and he has some he bought 10 years ago that look like new. He’s tall but “sturdy” if that makes sense, not fat but muscular, especially in the quads so the slim cuts are ridiculous on him. Hope that helps.

  11. Deodorant recs?

    Has anyone had any luck finding an aluminum-free deodorant that actually works?

    I tried the Crystal roll on and Toms a few years ago for a few months, and felt like I was stinky all the time so I went back to Secret Clinical, but the aluminum thing bothers me every time I have to buy more. Bonus points if it doesn’t make the armpits of my black dresses disgusting.

    I’m sure this has been discussed before but I can’t find it, apologies.

    • Anon

      Kiss My Face Liquid Rock kind of works, but it’s pretty similar to Crystal so you may not like it.

      • Anon

        I use the Kiss My Face Natural Active Life, which works well for me. I don’t sweat heavily though, so I’m not sure if it’s extremely heavy duty.

    • Seattle Freeze

      May I ask what bothers you about the “aluminum thing”? Serious question – I’ve seen previous requests like yours here, and don’t understand the concern. Thanks :)

      • Silvercurls

        Some of us get contact dermatitis from aluminum compounds. (At the link given by Samantha, see the 3rd section, “Health Effects” which references footnote 6.)

        • Seattle Freeze

          Thanks, Silvercurls – I wasn’t aware of the contact dermatitis issues for some people. It seems that many of the studies referenced in the Wikipedia article Samantha linked have serious methodological issues, and that the evidence for a link between aluminum and breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease is rather tenuous. Googling “aluminum antiperspirant” turned up a number of credible sites critiquing the evidence – even Tom’s of Maine, which surprised me – didn’t know they made antiperspirant containing aluminum.

          I never found deodorant alone to be effective, so have always used antiperspirant – like Hgts, Arm & Hammer unscented is my go-to.

      • OP

        I’m no scientist, so I don’t have anything to contribute to a discussion about whether or not aluminum is harmful. I don’t care for the smell of most aluminum based deodorant, I found a skin tag in my armpit the other day which freaked me out which I understand can come from using antiperspirant, and it’s my personal preference to have as few chemicals as possible in direct contact with my body every day while still looking and smelling like a presentable professional. In a nutshell.

    • Ashley

      Real Purity.

      Their deodorant is nothing short of miraculous.

      Ordering directly from them is difficult, however. I get the impression they are a small shop and not set up for web commerce. So I recommend buying their products from Vitacost or Amazon. etc.

    • Lynnet

      I have one of the crystal deodorants (Thai Crystal ? I think) and I find that it works most of the time but I have to get every inch of my skin, I can’t just swipe and be done. It’s possible that’s why the crystal you tried didn’t work for you.

    • Hgts

      Arm & Hammer! I sweat a ton, and was using Tom’s and it wasn’t doing the trick. Arm & Hammer’s been really effective for me so far.

    • E

      Secret Clinical is the only thing that works for me (even the clinical version of Dove doesn’t quite get the job done). I’ve tried basically every non-prescription deodorant out there and nothing is strong enough. I think if you’re in the same camp, you’re unlikely to find something more natural that works, but definitely give it a try. Might also be worth seeing what’s available with a prescription these days.

    • Min Donner

      One thing to consider is that there can be a transition period when you switch to a non-aluminum deodorant. I experienced this when I made the switch a few years back – definitely extra stinky for a week or so (I googled and it seems it can be from a few days to a few weeks), so I kept baby wipes with me and reapplied several times during the day. After the detox period however, that issue was gone, and I’ve used aluminum free ever since.

      That said, many “natural” deodorants didn’t work for me, and I personally don’t find the crystal rocks (or spray) effective though I know people who do. It’s trial and error based on your own body chemistry, etc.

    • SunnyD

      Milk of magnesia. Yes it’s really a laxative, but it’s the only thing I’ve ever found that works.

    • Anon

      Jewelry-wise, I would stick to silver over gold. For shoes, either a white pointed toe or a navy peep toe immediately come to mind, but you could probably also find some sandals in either color that look nice. If you bring a scarf or shawl of some sort, you could also use that to your advantage and play to it in your other accessories. A light pink (but not too bright), cream, or light green might look nice, or even lavender.

    • rook

      I agree, silver. I’d go with a pendant necklace ending just above the v neck, so 18″ or 20″ depending on your height. I would choose no earrings to not distract from the nice neckline, and add a silver bracelet(s). I would go with a silver heel, wedge or strappy sandal depending on the formality (sounds like strappy). Finally, a turquoise or mint clutch would be a nice contrast to the navy if you are up for another color.

      Mayvbe one of these clutches?:
      http://www.zappos.com/nina-linden-teal
      http://www.zappos.com/aldo-edroule-turquoise

  13. LE

    Note, the BRMAY35 does not work on these items because they are BR Picks, which are excluded.

  14. E

    Threadjack: i just bought a cute pair of the Snakeskin Ivanka Trump Carmens flats off Ideeli. I’m kind of excited about them lol

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