Fashionable Formal Office Wear?

Pythia

Hey,

I currently wear 'business casual' to work, basically trousers or a nice skirt with a knitted top or jersey top with a cardigan.

I'm starting a new job in a month which wants me to wear 'business formal'. I presume this means suits. I've had a look online and most of the suits look pretty boring and quite shapeless. I'm looking for some nice suits which are fitted and fashionable. Any ideas of where to go? I've seen one or two ok ones on the Next and M&S websites but that's all I can find!

Thanks!

Unaton

2 weeks ago I got a lovely suit (skirt & jacket) in Warehouse, light grey/ pink pinstripes. I wear it with a lilac or white blouse. Looks very nice. Also saw a similar suit there, a bit darker grey and navy blue pinstripes, both skirt and trousers.

MizzLolly

Hey Pythia,

Don't worry too much, I doubt 'formal business' strictly means you have to wear suits. Something along the lines of what you wore to the interview would be okay. It obviously impressed them before.

I know it's a pain when you've gotta switch. I can wear whatever I want in my current job but the one before that was very strict. Stooopid rules! :D

dudara

I work for a professional services company and suits are required. I've bought a lot of mine from Next - their suits change a good bit and while they offer bog-standard black suits, they also offer trendy suits too. Their sale is coming up soon and that's usually an opportunity to get a new suit or two.

M&S's Autograph range (not standard M&S) can be quite good too. Fairly fashionable.

Twee.

The Next "Signature" suit is always great. So good the staff can't wear it as uniform!

Pythia

dudara wrote: »

I work for a professional services company and suits are required. I've bought a lot of mine from Next - their suits change a good bit and while they offer bog-standard black suits, they also offer trendy suits too. Their sale is coming up soon and that's usually an opportunity to get a new suit or two.

M&S's Autograph range (not standard M&S) can be quite good too. Fairly fashionable.

What do you wear under your suit? I'm not a fan of blouses.

Lil' Smiler

Heya,


Might seem like an odd one and they probably only have them in winter but Vera Moda seem to have nice ish suits when i've seen them in there. I'd go for some casual tops under the jacket if you are wearing a suit and ifit's something important that you're going to i'd go for the blouse/more dressy top!

Electric

Pythia wrote: »

What do you wear under your suit? I'm not a fan of blouses.

I'm not a fan of blouses either so I usually wear a nice camisole under my suit. If it gets too hot I usually have a cardigan on the back of my chair so I can cover my shoulders.

Piste

If you're looking for nice tops to wear under suits Sasha in the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre has some really nice ones at really good prices (and the have a sale on now I think) they'd look really well under a suit.

idunnoutellme

nice suits now in the zara sale, but you've to search for the match of your jacket or trousers cos they're not hangin together. got an unusual suit in there a skirt and a jacket which looks like a short trench coat its gorgeous.

dudara

Pythia wrote: »

What do you wear under your suit? I'm not a fan of blouses.

I wear mainly tailored shirts, or sometimes a good quality, plain-coloured t-shirt type top. For less casual days, I might wear a pencil skirt and a coloured fashion shirt/blouse. I get smart shirts from T.M. Lewin, Next, etc.

M&S can often do tops that would work well with a suit or smart skirt/pants. It's a matter of digging through the racks and separating out the granny wear.

I do work in an industry where presenting a professional image is extremely important. We can dress individually and many of us do, using colour and accessories, but above all, we must be presentable.

Attol

I had an interview the other day and for it I needed a suit. H&M sorted me out, got a jacket for 50 and trousers in the sale for 15. Shirts were 15 each too.

I couldn't find anything M&S but I only searched the Blanchardstown one.

The Savida range in Dunnes sometimes have some nice ones and other office wear too.

The jackets in Zara are gorgeous the only problem I've found is that they are a bit on the small size around the bust and the trousers are insanely long. I love the clothes there but none of them work with my proportions

Pythia

Armed with everyone's suggestions, I went to Dundrum this afternoon. Marks had none of the suits I had picked out on their website. Next had nice suits but none in my size. Zara was too hot and messy to stay for long. Warehouse had a lovely jacket but the trousers didn't fit, no sign of the pink striped ones. Oasis had nothing nice. At that stage I gave up and came home

I'm hoping once the sales are over, some nice suits will come into the shops.

Might try and buy some of those Next suits online.

dudara

Pythia wrote: »

Might try and buy some of those Next suits online.

Good idea. You can order anything from the Next catalogue at the stores and they will get it in for you. Handy service. Principles can also have nice suits at times too - and are also available to purchase online. If it doesn't fit, you can take it back into the store.

Font22

I went into Zara today in search of shirts and came out very happy! I know I've had a go at Zara before but I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe try in there for some office tops. Unfortunately, while the suits are nice the sizes are a bit off for me too especially around the bust. Dont give up hope though Pythia! There are suits out there for everyone!