Women's Business Suits

hoyden · 13-04-2007 3:33pm #1

Hey

I've just recently started a new job and have moved from a very 'business casual' environment to a full on 'business formal' situation. I own virtually no suits at all - does anyone have any good recommendation for good quality women's suits with a bit of personality and suitable for the shorter/curvier (size 14) lady??

Jesus - already just had to take out my nose ring. Miserable:( .

d

Siogfinsceal · 13-04-2007 5:06pm

Hi Im short myself (5'2") and have a suit that I love its actually from tesco and was only 50 euro! i was at the one in carrick on shannon but there are a few of them that do clothes. It fits better that any others I have and I get loads of compliments on it
They are nice suits in next at the moment too

jos28 · 13-04-2007 9:24pm

I got a nice black one in Marks and Sparks petite range. They have a huge selection and you can mix and match jacket styles/trousers/skirts. Less than €100.Jazz it up with a funky brooch. There are loads of them in the shops. I love vintage ones myself.

Rogueish · 13-04-2007 10:19pm

Well no 1 congratulations on the new job and comisserations in having to take out the nose ring. I'd be traumatised if I had to take mine out too.

Your best bet for suits are Marks and Spencers petite range, Next have some nice pieces in their petites too. Keep an eye in some of the 'boutiques' sometime you can pick up a bargain. I got a €300 suit for €85 not so long ago.

Keep an eye in dunnes stores too - they have increased the quality of their range over the years and you may be able to pick up some decent separates.

A fitted 'sharp' shirt can dress up and formalise any pair of trousers.

Personality can come from your accessories, However when you are already reduced to taking away a very personal part of yourself (your nose stud) - maybe they aren't very keen on funky accessories.

I work in what can be a pretty formal area at times and nobody sees my nose stud anymore. It can be weeks and months before anyone even notices it.

Good Luck and once again Congratulations on the new job.

highlight100 · 14-04-2007 8:02am

Get yourself into Next and look for a black pencil skirt and black jacket,match that with a nice fitted blouse,some tan tights and black shoes(Clarkes have a nice range at the moment),and you will look fantastic!

catspring · 14-04-2007 3:40pm

mexx do a good range of suits - good quality, well cut, choice of trousers/skirts. they're the best i've come across on the high street

dudara · 14-04-2007 6:30pm

I work in quite a business formal environment and most of my suits are from Next Petite range. They can be edgy at times, with good fabrics and cuts. I usually wait for a half-price sale though. I've bought 4 suits there in the last year, and each one fits very well.

Dorothy Perkins/Principles can be quite good as well, but can be a little polyester-y sometimes.

I really don't particularly like M&S as they can be fairly dull, and not very well fitting. A lot of their jackets are hip length, as opposed to the more flattering waist length

dame · 20-04-2007 11:04pm

Next do good fitted suits. I have a lovely one I got there last november. It's got a short fitted jacket (waist length), four buttons on the front and the collar is high so that you can't see what's underneath (dreaded shirt not required). The trousers have a good sharp crease. Best of all, the whole suit is machine washable (but doesn't look it). Whole thing cost me 130 quid I think.

Personally, I think that a fitted jacket and trouser combo that doesn't look like a man's suit is the best. I've seen so many curvier women wearing single breasted jackets that just gape on them (button placement is crucial if wearng this type of jacket). I also think shirts on women can sometimes be a disaster. Be very careful that you get a good "sharp" shirt as someone mentioned. Beware of the gap between buttons showing your undies/flesh when you sit down or move about. The collars on mens shirts look crisp but you often see women with these floppy things that just ruin their nice sharp suit.

If you find a good jacket that doesn't show what's underneath and doesn't require a shirt then you're laughing. Remember to get a few good fitted plain t-shirt type tops in a matching colour though for underneath in case you want to take the jacket off. Buy new ones regularly so that they stay new and fresh looking (no stretching).

For summer, smart good-quality linen trousers (not see-through though!), or a nice knee-length pencil skirt paired a short-sleeve crisp blouse or top should be perfect.

Get good shoes. Crappy shoes will drag down any outfit no matter how sharp the suit is.

If getting skirts then be careful of the length. Most office jobs require a lot of sitting down.

Wear a smile. That helps any outfit.

Congrats and best of luck with the new job!

Women's Business Suits

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