<p>Thanks for all the suggestions. Spent most of yesterday shopping, and finally ended up with a beautiful charcoal gray suit at J Crew. Skirt falls just above the knee and it’s a year round weight wool. Now for the blouse…</p>
<p>Anything you buy at Banana and J Crew will give you a price adjustment within 10 days if it gets marked down, just save reciept. Nice thing is they both have great shoes as well.</p>
<p>Banana also sends you free $cards when you use a banana charge, which is actually good at Banana, Gap and Old Navy.</p>
<p>wyograd…glad it worked out. I’m sure that suit will serve your D well for several years. She also can use each piece separately. </p>
<p>She doesn’t have to necessarily get a button down blouse. If she wants one, though, JCrew also has those. However, a finely knit top/sweater could also look nice. A pretty color like pink, lavendar, pale blue, etc. could go under that color suit. Talbots also sells that sort of thing. Ann Taylor Loft would be one other place to look.</p>
<p>For under my suit, I got a short sleeved sweater-type top that has a conservative neckline and was the color of the suit’s pin striping (tan). It was from Ann Taylor Loft, and seemed to fit a lot better than trying to put a shirt under there.</p>
<p>wyograd76, </p>
<p>Do you have a J. Crew credit card? If not, you can save (I forget if it was 15 or 20%) on the purchase of the suit if you apply for one - the nice thing is that even though they will charge the initial purchase to the new account, they will allow you to use your regular credit card (on the spot) to pay for that, so that it never shows up as a charge on a new card and you never have to use it again. Most stores make you charge at least the first purchase on their own card to get the discount.</p>
<p>Nordstrom’s is great–they’ll tailor the suit to fit you at a reasonable price.</p>
<p>Ditto on the skirt hitting above the knee–I worked in a conservative profession, and all my skirts were that length.</p>
<p>Barami is a boutique in some upscale malls that carries smaller sizes (zero, small 2) in conservative, yet fitted styles, if you need to find that.</p>
<p>Alas, some of us live in regions that don’t have Nordstroms. :D</p>
<p>paying3tuitions and mom60 – Petite Sophisticates is the place. I bought a gorgeous navy blue suit there, shapely jacket, longer fitted skirt (mid-calf length) and I wear it for every dressier occasion. I am average height but size 2 or 4, so hard to fit. I have worn it for grandfather’s funeral, son’s graduation, wear the pieces separately (jacket with jeans, skirt with sweater), and wear it for every important job event, including my last interview – funny, the HR director, a stylish lady, asked me if I would sell her my suit! (and I got the job)</p>
<p>Another vote for Ann Taylor - suits are very well made and will last; you can get a great buy on the sale rack. In the corporate/legal world remember closed toe shoes - no sandals on an interview - sling backs are okay. If you choose a skirt make sure that it is long enough. No cleavage. Some of this may be obvious but honestly you would be surprised. I was recently at a corporate legal meeting and two female middle aged attorneys had skirts on that were way too short and were showing too much cleavage. A few male colleagues expressed discomfort privately. Creates an awkward situation. In an interview nothing should distract you about what you are wearing. SO if you get a skirt, sit in the dressing room in different positions and make sure it does not come up too high. Good luck.</p>
<p>jCrew and Banana Republic</p>