Suits

[eurochick]

I always find suit shopping tricky. Not many places stock suits for women and the ones that do seem to either be a bit frumpy or too "funky" (high slits, v tight, etc).

I need dark suits for court (lawyer - not in the dock) and always struggle. I like to have something with a bit of an edge to it (so a "sharp" cut) but overall quite sober.

Any ideas? I've had success in the past in Jigsaw but couldn't see anything in there. Hobbs have some but for some reason everything from there looks like a sack on me - I am just the wrong shape. Reiss had a lovely one in blue but I prefer black. LK Bennet had a lovely one but the sleeves are long (I could get them altered but it is already over-budget).

Any ideas? Budget up to £300.

This sort of thing? or something less traditional? You probably do need to look outside Jigsaw and Hobbs if you want edgier suits.

And perhaps try buying a dress and jacket separately?

That's a gorgeous jacket, so something like that with a matching skirt would be great.

Hobbs has never worked for me, which is annoying as it probably has more suits than most other high street shops and the price is about right. I don't particularly like most Jigsaw clothes but the suits are beautifully cut - quite plain but the cut makes them look fantastic on. My two favourites over the years have come from there.

For court, I like the designers they stock at Ede and Ravenscroft (sounds frumpy, I know but bear with me). Some of the designers are more money than you might want to spend but they have a great sale room (scroll down)

Glad you liked - was my first S&B link! (So I naturally forgot to mention the absence of a matching half...)

Have you tried Cos? (Very Marmite but you might be their ideal shape.)

I'm excited to hear that Ede and R now stock other designers. Too late for me unfortunately. But I have always found that £££££ clothes ruthlessly stalked to their sale price (££) serve me better than mid range stuff.

I don't know what their women's stuff is like (they do stock it - I've just never tried it) but DH loves Sacoor and they have an in-house tailoring service which is free of charge. Their stuff is quite 'sensible' but at least the tailoring service would mean that it is well fitting.
Other suggestions would be Whistles and J Crew

I was about to suggest Jigsaw, they do look great on. I tend to prefer their jacket and dress combos though.

I've had some success with Jaeger, and some success with Reiss although I find Reiss skirts can be a little short, which is odd as I'm only 5 ft 3!

Adding Ede and Ravenscroft to my list - I haven't been in there since I got the wig and gown, which is more years ago than I care to remember!

I didn't even know E&R did clothes, last time i looked there was in great excitement to buy my gown, I'm off now for a look!

I don't tend to wear suits a huge amount anymore as I was struggling to get nice ones that were well cut but not frumpy. For court I now mostly wear fitted dresses with either a matching jacket or a contrasting jacket, eg I bought a beautiful berry coloured jacket which I pair with grey, black or navy dresses to brighten it up a bit.

Shops wise I'm also a recent convert to J Crew and I really rate Slaters who also do free alterations.

Hi Eurochick. Have you considered Austin Reed? Fantastic quality and good prices at sale time.

bargain Vivienne Westwood

Banana Republic?

I like the detail on this Hobbs Jacket

Before I switched my practice to employment work, I used to be in court every day (mags' and crown), so had to be suited all the time. My safe staples all came from Lewins, and I got my pinstripes and my trousers for prison visits from Planet, which was great for me as I'm tall.

I'm a solicitor and my best suits are from Hugo Boss - pricey but worth it IMO. Banana Republic also good for everyday suits.

The Hobbs jacket is nice but doesn't seem to have matching pieces so it no good. Banana Republic and Boss are both on my next lunchtime shopping agenda. I'll take a look in Lewins too. I have heard bad things about quality from male colleagues, but I will only be wearing this occasionally so it may not matter.

The Westwood is a great price but too fussy for my taste.

E&R is somewhere that had not even occurred to me. I should go and take a look.

Thanks all!