To Pose The Eternal Question?

[Spenguin]

Well, not really 'the eternal question' and not even really about unreasonability. Nevertheless, I start a new job in just over a week. I have TRAWLED, trenched and slugged through every website I can think of, but I just can't find...

a skirt suit

that isn't hideous, ridiculously over-priced or inappropriate for a city firm.

Dearest Mumsnetters, where do you get your skirt suits from? And how much chocolate/wine/free childcare will it take for you to tell me?!

N.B. Don't even get me started on the fugnacious workwear shoes out there. shudder

does it have to be a suit? can you do a pencil skirt shirt combo where you can pick up the pieces seperately? and probably cheaper too

oh and congrats on the new job! i'm good on the childcare but with planning a 3yr old bday party tomorrow would welcome the wine!

Congrats in the new job, I always (well used to) buy my skirt suits as separates, as that way I can tailor them to fit correctly. Next can be ok for that kind of thing. But I don't know how big your budget is.

P.s. I always thought the eternal questions was why do we get hiccups

Hi Scuzy!

Many thanks. I went the separates route - but realised you can only really do that if you stick to black. The thought of matching different stores' versions of 'grey' has me breaking out in hives.

I got a couple of black pencil skirts and then matched it with a black jacket from Reiss (shoulder pads bigger than a small car). Then it dawned on me, people will eventually think I'm a cartoon character wearing the same outfit every day - hence my quest for a suit other than black.

Unfortunately, it will have to be a full suit (I can do dresses and things on less formal days).

ReindeerBollocks - now you've mentioned hiccups, you know what will happen, right?

Budget is probably £300 for a full suit.

Austin Reed always used to have skirts even in the depths of winter. Haven't needed one in ages though so can't say for sure if they are still the same and have a website (though everyone does these days surely?)

have you tried online?

I've tried everywhere online!

Austin Reed
T M Lewin
Thomas Pink
Hobbs
Reiss
Zara
Topshop
Net-a-Porter
Matches
Browns
H&M
ASOS

Maybe I could just chance it in a pair of leggings?

Planet?

Ted Baker! Try there they normally have lovely suits.

I struggle to find suits I like so I normally go for formal jackets (think boucle/Chanel type) with a shift dress underneath. I shop in Hobbs, Zara, Boden(!) m&s (sometimes) and jaeger sales. I have to look very smart for my job and this works.

Oh yes. Phase Eight and fenn wright Manson do some nice bits. As do Linea.

Jigsaw? They do a zillion different skirts, trousers and jackets all in the same wool fabrics each season, so you can buy a suit now and then buy more trousers or a different skirt or a new jacket next season and they will mix and match (if you buy all the same colour). Generally they always have black and navy.

I gave up on suits a while ago, but when I wore them I wore either Jigsaw or Planet. Planet can be a bit fusty and old-lady, but the advantage is the smaller sizes go in the sale and get reduced to next to nothing so I used to be able to buy a whole suit for about £60 in the sale (as opposed to £300 ish full price). If you are a size 12 or below it's the way forward.

I eventually switched pretty much entirely to dresses - M&S do cheap formal shift dresses that machine wash, and teamed with a really nice detailed cardigan or mis-matched jacket they are nice I think. Also the Isabella Oliver wrap dress is great and feels formal enough with a vest underneath and a nice necklace. Not formal enough for court, but certainly formal enough for a City law firm (in my experience!)

Where do you work now? Have you thought about delaying purchases until you actually start, as you may find it is more/less formal than you expect. I would never have worn anything other than a suit in the regional law firm I trained at, but regularly wore a skirt and cardigan at the magic circle firm I moved to - a lot will depend on the culture of the particular team you join I would think.

M+S?

Mismatched coloues can also look smart and stylish, do you have to always wear a formal suit jacket?

Also agree with the dress choice.

I have a gorgeous Karen Millen skirt suit. I got it in the sale (got the skirt in one store, then rang round trying to find the matching jacket!), but it would have been about £300 New.

sorry to say this but Next have 30000000000000000000000 skirt suits, all horrid

I shall go round the houses again. Thanks for all the suggestions - and also for pointing out I'm not the only one who has problems. DH just says I'm fussy!

Aha (knowing me, knowing you...sorry!)! May be on to a grey winner at Jaeger - the size is a little off, but I'm desperate!

Zara do some lovely tailored separates, that would be my first stop.

The eternal question is why do women get moustaches.
And chin hair.

So I've heard, anyway

You could also try LK Bennett maybe? I have a couple of lovely dresses and jackets from there, and I think they do skirt suits too.