Suit Shopping advice

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am in the market for a plain black suit for job interviews, and I’m having trouble figuring out exactly where to look. I have one that is two years old and gray, from Express, but it’s slightly too small on me, and I think I need a new one. </p>

<p>I’m 5’1" and busty, so if I could find something that was a true petite size, that would probably be a much better fit.</p>

<p>I tend to prefer a jacket with more than one button. I have a blazer from the gap that fits me really well, but they don’t seem to have anything formal enough right now for interviews. I did find this blazer from Banana Republic:
[Apparel</a>, Handbags, Shoes and Accessories for Women and Men | Banana Republic](<a href=“Banana Republic”>Banana Republic)
I thought that the sizing might be similar to Gap’s. I’m wondering if the pocket would make it look too informal? It’s also at the upper end of what I want to pay, since I was hoping to pay $150 or less for the whole thing, but that might not be doable anyway. I also found a blazer and pants I like at J. Crew, but they total $300 (on sale!). This is the J. Crew blazer, and I would be wearing it with the matching black trousers:
[Women’s</a> suiting - stretch wool - Stretch wool three-button jacket - J.Crew](<a href=“http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/suiting/stretchwool/PRDOVR~10255/10255.jsp]Women’s”>http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/suiting/stretchwool/PRDOVR~10255/10255.jsp)</p>

<p>I am thinking that I can go to T.J. Maxx, Marshall’s, H&M, and maybe the Goodwill store today just in case any of them have anything. Maybe Filene’s Basement also. I’m wondering if there’s anywhere online that I should be looking.</p>

<p>Also, as a note, I am interviewing mainly at non-profits, mostly in communications/development. Many of the people interviewing me thus far have been wearing jeans. I am still going with the suit, because I think it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, but maybe dress with a blazer would be worth looking at? I have a hard time finding certain clothes sometimes, and I know how important it is to look polished, so I’d love whatever ideas you have. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Wherever you buy it consider getting it tailored.
Well fitting clothes look more expensive.
Why not a cardigan over a dark dress?
That can look business-like.</p>

3

<p>Kohl’s? They have good suit selection for men, not sure about women. Will be shopping soon with D. also, will let you know if we find something nice. I do not want to spend tons of $$, suit will be also just for interview, but not job interview, D. will use it very few times in her life.</p>

4

<p>Are you more of a suit/pants person or suit/skirt person? Either can be fine.</p>

<p>I think you have a good list of reasonably priced stores on your list above. Basic black shouldn’t be too hard to find, but I wouldn’t spend a fortune on it if you can get away for less.</p>

5

<p>Another store you might want to try is anntaylor.com. They sell petites. If you can go to the store live and in person, that might work even better, but they do have a bit of an on-line sale now. I don’t know if they’ll have a style you like, but I think it’s worth a look, especially if you can get to a store. Ann Taylor Loft sometimes has skirts, pants, and blazers you can mix and match and that line is less expensive.</p>

6

<p>Macy’s has a decent petites’ department where my 5"1’ friend often shops for her work clothes.</p>

<p>Do these look like somethig you could wear?</p>

<p>[AK</a> Anne Klein Petite One Button Jacket & Petite Classic Straight Leg Pants - Petite - Women’s - Macy’s](<a href=“http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=452565&CategoryID=18579&LinkType=PDPZ1]AK”>http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=452565&CategoryID=18579&LinkType=PDPZ1)</p>

<p>[AK</a> Anne Klein Petite One Button Jacket & Petite Straight Leg Pants - Petite - Women’s - Macy’s](<a href=“http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=450913&CategoryID=18579&LinkType=PDPZ1]AK”>http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=450913&CategoryID=18579&LinkType=PDPZ1)</p>

7

<p>You mention that you want more than one button.</p>

<p>[Petite</a> Wool Gabardine Jacket: Women’s Petite Suits: ANN TAYLOR](<a href=“http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24294&N=1200024&categoryId=197&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_197&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Black&defaultSizeType=Petite]Petite”>http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24294&N=1200024&categoryId=197&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_197&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Black&defaultSizeType=Petite)</p>

<p>does it need to be solid black?
[Petites</a> Classic Clothing at Talbots - Venetian wool-blend short jacket](<a href=“http://www1.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi24449&rootCategory=cat70010&catId=cat120043&sortKey=Default&section=Regular&conceptIdUnderSale=cat70010]Petites”>http://www1.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi24449&rootCategory=cat70010&catId=cat120043&sortKey=Default&section=Regular&conceptIdUnderSale=cat70010)</p>

<p>this is more expensive;
[Women’s</a> suiting - super 120s - Super 120s nouvelle jacket - J.Crew](<a href=“http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/suiting/super120s/PRDOVR~23346/23346.jsp]Women’s”>http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/suiting/super120s/PRDOVR~23346/23346.jsp)</p>

<p>I hope you find something you like.</p>