Suit obsession

So, I've been a little bit obsessed with suits since I started law school. I think this is partly because they're a visual symbol of the difference between legal and academic culture (which is a bit of an exaggeration, since profs certainly CAN wear suits - though the only time I usually saw anyone do so was at conferences - and many lawyers only wear suits if they're going to court - out here, at least, which is a pretty casual part of the world). But it's also partly because I actually needed suits, for interviews if nothing else - and of course I didn't have any (not having been the kind of academic who wore them). So my first suit (inexpensive) was bought on short notice because holy crap, I had an interview and I needed a suit! And so I took what I could find, which is black (fine), and polyester (fine, although this is not an especially fine varietal of the fabric and is starting to look a bit shiny/rubbed along the seams) and fits okay (the jacket is quite cute, but the skirt is weirdly big in the waist and pulls across the hips, which is usually NOT a problem I have, but the problem bits are hidden by the jacket). But it has not an ounce of stretch in it, which I especially prefer in jackets (because they get so confining under the arms), and in warm weather it was like wearing armor.

And it always felt like the interview suit. The suit I only bought because I needed a suit, not because I saw it and liked it and wanted it. The suit that I only wore when I was dressing up because I had to.

(My second suit got bought much the same way - I bought a really inexpensive suit from the Jones New York outlet because I desperately wanted something with stretch that wasn't so heavy, and the first time I wore it I realized that because of the stretch, it bagged out and became shapeless after about an hour or so.)

But earlier this semester I got the Talbots spring catalog, and lo! there were suits! that I liked! and wanted! because they were pretty suits, not because I needed a suit then and there! (This was especially exciting because last year Talbots was going through a wanna-be haute couture phase and had maybe three suit-like items that were on the, um, interesting side.)

I drooled over various of those suits for a few weeks, doing the usual agonizing about mixing and matching (I love that jacket but they don't make the matching skirt in the color I like; I love that skirt but they don't have it in my size; I love that skirt but the jacket that matches is hideous) (as an aside, who on earth thinks patch pockets look good on a jacket?? the only thing that's worse is patch pockets on a skirt). But I finally made some choices.

The first jacket that arrived didn't work at all. Lovely color, lovely fabric, made me look like a barrel. So I gritted my teeth and tried again.

And now? Now I am the ecstatic owner of a beautiful navy suit. That fits me like it was made for me. And is made out of a natural material. And has a nice little leavening of spandex. And feels like clothing that I wear because I WANT too, not because I HAVE to. I feel like ME in this suit.

The only damper on my joy? It was a pants suit, which is actually lovely for wearing and feeling like me in, but if I have interviews in more conservative quarters, I'm happier wearing a skirt.

And then tonight, as I sat awake surfing (the downside of the 2 hour nap in the afternoon), I took one last tour through Talbots' webpage and figured out that, glory be! the skirt I thought came in putty, gray, or black, actually came in putty, gray, or NAVY!! (Note to self: don't trust tiny swatches on computer screens.)

It's probably not a good idea to get in the habit of Internet shopping at 1:30 am, but this time round I'm really glad I did so.

Which is all a long-winded way of saying that I know money can't buy you love/happiness, but that occasionally there are those moments when you buy something that just makes you feel good - secure, confident, prepared, comfortable, happy - like at least one of your problems has been solved.

What about you? What was the last thing you bought (clothes or not) that solved a problem and made you happy?

Comments

[Seeking Solace]

Actually, it was a suit! Last year, when I was interviewing for jobs, I needed a new suit. I found a stunning pantsuit at Banana Republic in a medium grey. Great construction in a year-round light wool.

I absolutely love it!!!

BTW, check out Land's End. They have great suits that are sold as separates, since few women are the same size on top and bottom. I bought a suit 6 years ago and it is still in great shape and a total classic. :)

[Terminal Degree]

I love Talbots suits, especially since I can get the tops and bottoms in different sizes. Ann Taylor suits are pretty amazing, too. (My first university job was kind of a dress-up/suits place. Since then, I've gotten steadily more casual and don't even OWN a suit that fits, other than the black suit I wear for performances.) What I don't miss about suits is wearing stockings. But I do love that "put together" feeling that suits provide. Have fun shopping!

[meg]

Links to talbots.com?

[New Kid on the Hallway]

Hee! Links are: jacket, pants, and skirt, all in navy. (I also have this jacket in gray, waiting to see if the matching skirt/pants (which were backordered) work on me at all. I probably shouldn't buy TWO full-priced Talbots suits, but it's very tempting if they work out on me... (this is the jacket that, while adorable on the model, made me look like a barrel).

SS, I love the Banana Republic suits! They're just lovely. Alas, I'm kind of between sizes there (incentive to lose weight, of course...). And TD, I agree, I feel SO put together in a suit, especially when it FITS.

But here's an interesting question - out here, I see many many MANY women wearing suits without stockings (unless it's cold out, of course). My question is: is this an age thing (i.e. I am too old to pull this off)? Is it just regional? Does it depend where you're going? (Mind you, I might as well wear hose because if not I probably need shapewear to make sure nothing bulges, but I kind of wonder what's appropriate).

[meg]

I think I have to stay in academia (or else move into the barista trade), because I have hose-phobia, and tights are too casual for super-professional fields like the law.

[Janice]

When I was a grad student, I sewed several of my suits (mostly out of lovely raw silk or perfect light wool Liberty remnants that I picked up when researching in London). There's nothing like custom-making your clothes for the correct proportions and fit.

Sadly, the day when I could cover my desk and floor with fabric pieces and sewing machine are long past. (Let's not overlook the fact that I have no desk at home anymore, either!)

Hrm, so the last thing that I bought that solved a problem and made me happy? The curtains and rod for the sliding glass door in the kitchen (so I was able to get rid of the ugly and deteriorating vertical blinds). Not exciting nor nearly as cool as your new suit, but it made me happy!

[idwsj]

Shopping = therapy. Beautiful, lush, therapy.

[joy]

I love Ann Taylor suits. I am short, and they make a petite size that is PERFECT on me. I don't have to get the sleeves and pants hemmed!

I find it bizarre to hear of women wearing suits without stockings. I've never seen it, and it doesn't sound like a good idea.

Hmmm. I can't think of the last thing I bought that solved a problem and made me happy. I mean, food, but I'm not sure that counts. I've actually been bemoaning the state of my closet. Lots of stuff is wearing out, and I really don't have the time or the money to replace it.

[Owlfish]

I am still in love with my First Suit. I knew I needed one, and my sister and I ended up, one day, in a small, independent clothing shop in Toronto. The designer/maker of the clothes was running the shop that day. My sister found a perfect suit, but they didn't have anything that fitted me quite right. So for the same price as off-the-rack, she made me a suit to measure.

It's '50s-ish. It has an A-line skirt. It's a lovely turqoise tweed. It was reasonably priced. (Although it's not like I could regularly justify having tailor-made garments!) It fits me absolutely perfectly, so I am relaxed and happy when wearing it, which is ideal in a suit.

And so I wish everyone I know could have/find/afford their Perfect Suit.

[smidgewidgen (formerly shrinkykitten)]

New Kid -
Just read this and thought it might interest you: http://jezebel.com/5515444/attorneys-told-what-not-to-wear-to-avoid-tramp-stamps

The comments are pretty interesting.

shrinky