Question about Women's Suits for OCI Forum

[Anonymous User]

Do these also need to be wool?

Petite and busty - trouble finding a wool suit that fits but found a decent polyester blend. Is this okay?

Also if polyester blend is a no-go, is any other material besides wool okay?

(edited to remove extraneous info but left in general question for future petite and busty suit shoppers)

[Sprout]

I too am short with a larger chest and I feel you on the suit shopping struggle. Try banana republic outlet, & express. Also nordstroms rack or Bloomingdales sales can be gold mines for good quality without breaking the bank. For me I almost always have to get a size 6 skirt with a size ten blazer and just have it tailored. You don't want the blazer make you look like you're popping out when it's buttoned. A good fit is key though so definitely invest in a pricier suit if you can swing it, and have it tailored. I have one good suit and a million shirts to just change it up. Good luck

Ps the suit in the link looked alright but it's hard to tell from the photo what it looks like in person. Try to get a wool one if you can though, some of the other materials tend to look cheap or wrinkle really easily as well (which is a huge pain in the ass when traveling for OCI/ off campus programs). Side note: those little hand held steamers are amazing for getting wrinkles out of suits and are affordable as well.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Wool is great, but polyester is fine as long as it looks decent, which it often does in blends and it can look fine on its own, too. Ann Taylor has a whole line made of triacetate, which is a kind of polyester, and they're fine (ditto Talbots' crepe line, and while I know Talbots can be old looking for a lot of people here, they have a wide range of sizing). The jacket you link to looks fine in the picture (would have to see it in person). I agree that getting the best you can afford is a good idea, but especially agree about tailoring - even something pretty inexpensive looks great if it fits you really well.

I love cotton- or linen-blend suits, but they do tend to wrinkle really badly and generally look less formal, so I wouldn't wear one to interviews.

[despina]

The Corporette author is petite and busty, so she has a number of posts about this with suggestions for styles and brands:

http://corporette.com/busty-blazers/

http://corporette.com/curvy-professional/

I'm petite and moderately more busty than my waist and ribcage measurements would suggest. I've had good luck with the standard Banana Republic wool suit, as well as some Ann Taylor petites.

[Slytherpuff]

Poly-blend should be just fine, having a suit that fits you is what's most important here. Also you don't necessarily have to button your blazer!

[Pleasye]

I am short and busty too. I've had good luck with Express (I know, but it was the best fit and looks decent) and The Limited (petite). The blazer from The Limited actually seems to have some boob room built in and fits great.

I've also just given up on buttoning my blazers. It just looks better if I don't.

[Anonymous User]

On the same topic: can women wear pantsuits now, or will a lot of people still scoff at that? I look ridiculous in a pencil skirt (very athletic thighs).

[Pleasye]

On the same topic: can women wear pantsuits now, or will a lot of people still scoff at that? I look ridiculous in a pencil skirt (very athletic thighs).

I always wear pant suits. I think there is still some belief that skirt suits are more formal and preferable, but I feel more comfortable in pants so whatever.