The Suit Edit
Suiting, I adore it. Average suiting has a bad rap in some ways, when you evoke it in your head there seem to be two extremes. The shiny, polyester 'first buy' suits we get for interview rounds out of uni or school. Or the luxurious, sharply cut suits of Parisian ateliers, gracing the runways wrapped around lithesome bodies. The bits in between seem to fall in the boring, frumpy, and forgettable realms. I exaggerate slightly for dramatic turn, but you get the gist.
This season see's mannish tailoring and suiting thrust into the limelight once again. The runways were awash with double breasted, strong shouldered jackets, teamed with both slim line and wide leg trousers. It misses falling in to the 80s time warp, with gentle curving at the waist, breathing subtle modernity in to the power dressing of old.
When choosing a suit, think about your size, height and shape. If you are petit, its unwise to choose the voluminous, baggy mannish trouser. Go instead for something ankle skimming, like a slim cigarette pant. If you do want a bit of volume, go for something high waisted in a culotte style. Your sleeve length should fall to the bony part of your wrist, rather that over your hand. It's well worth finding someone who does decent alterations. Little attention to details like this really change an outfit, adding a more bespoke feel to the garment, its a pain but its worth it. Curvier frames should avoid fussy voluminous jackets, especially if that curve is all in your chest. Something simple with a shawl collar, or a single button that gently skims the waist would be good.
Remember as well, that suits don’t need to be worn as a full outfit. The jacket should go over a multitude of things, from jeans, to pencil skirts, to luxe sportswear, to sawn of denim shorts in the summer, to pretty delicate dresses. You’re trousers can be teamed with teeshirts, vests, cropped or slouchy knitwear, skinny ribbed fine knitwear, silky shirts or cotton poplin shirts. My point? The possibilities are, if not endless then defiantly plentiful, and wear your suit everywhere! Don’t wait for an occasion or limit it to the office. Sainsbo’s/Aldi/Tesco and the school run deserve you in your suited splendour! Just as much as your meeting, your first date or your job does.
I did a massive research haul before I decided how to split this edit up, it changed constantly in my head. I really wasn’t sure how best and clearly to lay out my selects. I started in body type, then I went to occasion and style, and it became muddied and confusing. If its confusing to me, then I had no hope of making it an articulate piece of content. SO, I decided to just gather every suit that I like, and every suit that I thought may go slightly unnoticed. As always I put in a range of price points, but always within the high street pricing realm. What I came out with was three clear categories. Colour/ Pattern/ Navy-Black ( and a bit of evening).
I hope that something chimes with you. As always, email/DM me if you have questions.
Love immy.x
THE COLOURS
Zara RED Jacket and trousers colour of the moment. I love it- its not for everyone and you need to find your tone within the colour wheel. This is burgundy and its warmer and deeper than the cool toned pillar box reds. Its a simple unfussy example of double breasting, but fuller breasted women, still approach with caution. Look at the wrist length though. good for petits. Trousers long but with a slim palazzo vibe, good for most body types, if you are really tiny these high waisted culotte style trousers are amazing, and come in a few colours.
God I LOVE this suit, its feels and looks way more expensive than it is. Its COS Blazer is £150 trousers are £89 both are stunning as one pieces and actually with a bit of tailoring on the trouser hem, this will suit most body types. The colour is hugely versatile too, and will marry into most wardrobes as its not a glaring shade.
Reiss single button, plunging V jacket with slim cut trouser. Such a gorgeous classic cut, its styled here with a navy pea coat, which is fab. However you can do longer line coats or capes over the top too. Band tees, slogan tees, polo necks and thin knits will all look great under this suit, as well as nothing underneath! Wear with heels, boots or trainers depending on your event.
Paul Smith, £525, the trousers come in at £275 This is a big price leap for my high street edit- but gosh the details on it are gorgeous and the quality is beautiful. This suit looks amazing with trainers or heels and I love it with tee shirts or a really beautiful pussy bow blouse.
This is the blue version of the green above. Blue is a hot colour right now and is a good alternative if you can't deal with all of the red. Jacket and Trouser both Paul Smith.
A more affordable blue suiting option from Zara Jacket and Trouser, The long line jacket is super flattering and curves in at the waist ever so slightly. Pair the trousers with soft grey cropped knitwear and a long line grey coat- keep it tonal and you can do with trainers or chunky brogues for a casual day look.
Mango structured wool blazer, with high waisted palazzo pants. Both are an on line exclusive and neither are particularly practical- but aren't they gorgeous and such great value.
THE PATTERNS
COS these are the same wide leg trousers as the maroon suit above- obviously in black. I wanted to show this long line blazer teamed with it. You can add heels and statement jewellery and you have a really modern evening outfit. The waistcoat can also be worn as a dress. Trousers £89.00 Waistcoat £135.00 You can also stick a waist cinching belt round this for yet another alternative look.
Zara dbl breasted shoulder V cropped jacket. Now I actually think this may suit some curvier women as its cropped and comes in at the waist and that big exposed sweep of decolletage is just the right side of plunging, to be flattering. Well worth trying this on. Jacket £69.99
