Suit for an hourglass/pear?

[shorthairdontcare]

Hi,

I'm starting a professional job imminently (legal sector so boring black/dark navy suits only I'm afraid) and am really struggling to find even just a basic trouser or skirt suit that fits.

I'm fairly blessed of boob and butt but not quite enough to fit 'curvy' plus size ranges i.e. 39" bust, 27-8" waist, 42" hip/butt (all fairly approximate measurements but I hope this gives a rough idea). I usually wear a size 10 or 12 for non-workwear clothing.

Does anyone know of any brands that might offer a suit that fits? Either online or in-store (London based).

I've looked into getting a suit made but it's way too expensive, although I'm open to getting a suit tailored (I find that buying larger and getting clothes altered doesn't always work well though, so I'd rather have something that fits decently off the rack if at all possible).

Thought I'd ask for some collective wisdom as I've been to the shops to browse for suits before and I always leave feeling like there's something wrong with me as nothing looks right on or feels comfortable :-(

I'm not a dissimilar size and shape to you and I have had success with Hobbs and Reiss. I often find a dress and jacket is more successful than a skirt or trousers, is this allowed?

I was going to say too, does it HAVE to be a suit? A smart plain dress under a jacket looks better imo than a suit skirt with shirt tucked in - which lets face it aren't really geared to many female figures. Or a tunic dress with shirt underneath?

@StrawberryPi @GreenTuftyFlowers I will definitely be checking out formal dresses with jackets ('dress suits') for everyday wear, I appreciate that it might well be a better style for me.

Not to drip feed too much, but I have a professional event coming up that does require a more traditional suit rather than a dress, so I still need to find at least one trouser/skirt suit unfortunately.

I'll check out Hobbs and Reiss and see how I get on with their clothing. If you know of any other good curvier brands I'm willing to try any and all I can find at this point!

Have you looked at The Fold? Pricey but gorgeous. I believe they have in-house alterations at their London store.

Beyond that, Vivienne Westwood is fabulous for the hourglass figure, so I might look for Vivienne office-suitable dresses and jackets on eBay. Also check out Saint Bustier for pieces cut for the hourglass.

Hobbs.

It's quite difficult as I'm an hourglass and can make anything look frumpy. Lots of tailoring required.

And yes to dress and jacket. I'm also short waisted and high waisted so I can't tuck in a top as my waistband sits under my boobs.

@stalkersaga Ooh perfect, I've never come across those brands but I will definitely be trying them out - Saint Bustier looks perfect for a lot of other stuff I've struggled with before (fitted leather jackets!).

@CommanderBurnham I understand the frumpiness struggle, non-workwear dressing is so much easier in terms of combatting that! I will check out Hobbs.

A rather disappointing update - I've tried a couple of Hobbs dresses/dress suits.
Unfortunately, they are just cut completely wrong for me 😞 the hips are weirdly high on me, leaving a puff of fabric above my natural waist on both sides, and the butt/thigh area is still way too tight, particularly the thighs (despite sizing up and checking my measurements beforehand online 😞).

Those of you who said Hobbs worked quite well for them - do you usually get the dress suits tailored in/out to fit perfectly, or do they work for you off the rack?

I'd take it to a tailor but I'm not sure there is enough seam allowance for them to do much with it, given that it needs to come out as well as in 😞

Back to feeling a bit sorry for myself 😞 I get so upset every time I try suit shopping as it makes me feel like I'm disfigured or something 😥 even trying this one on left me really upset for a while.

I'm interested in this, I often find clothes for me are too straight and therefore tight at the bust and hips, but baggy at the waist. I've given up a bit and often go for a cocoon shape instead.

Oh and to the OP, hope you get something suitable, it's challenging to get something when you're under pressure.

I have very similar measurements to you and the Marks and Spencer Mia slim trousers in a 12 fit well. I think there's a matching suit jacket, though haven't tried it.

Don't be upset. I have a lovely figure if I say so myself (well, quite lovely after 3 kids ) and I struggle with suits. Remember they are a uniform to mimic men 😡.

Jigsaw? Or lk bennett sometimes.

@yefferson

I have very similar measurements to you and the Marks and Spencer Mia slim trousers in a 12 fit well. I think there's a matching suit jacket, though haven't tried it.

Yes, I find m&s trousers surprisingly good as an hourglass. Maybe check their autograph range as well?

Yes to Reiss. Also Massimo Dutti. And I did have a Jigsaw suit that went in and out, but it was bought a very long time ago.

Not all their suits are cut the same though so you have to look out for the “right” shape ones iyswim. Generally the ones with shorter one button jackets are best.

Have you tried The Fold? I just got a tailored top from there for a big interview and it was so flattering with plenty of bust room

Thank you all for the additional recommendations, I really appreciate it and will definitely be looking in to all of those.

My partner has offered to come suit shopping with me after he walked in on me having a slight breakdown this morning, so that has given me a bit of reassurance.

The comment about suits being a men's uniform resonated with me. I promise all of you that if I ever earn enough to start a suit business for curvy women I will I have frustration to motivate me 😄

I mean. If you have the budget to really go big and make a lifetime purchase, there is a tailor on Savile Row who caters only to women's suiting. It's my dream to be able to justify commissioning a shit from them.

If I had not that much money but up to £500 to put into something really good I'd 100% go to the Fold's London shop. Below that I'd go upper end high st with alterations.

Good luck.

@stalkersaga

I mean. If you have the budget to really go big and make a lifetime purchase, there is a tailor on Savile Row who caters only to women's suiting. It's my dream to be able to justify commissioning a shit from them.

If I had not that much money but up to £500 to put into something really good I'd 100% go to the Fold's London shop. Below that I'd go upper end high st with alterations.

Good luck.

That's some commission!! ;-)

Living the dream at Gormley and Gamble, Savile Row

Have you tried looking at vintage style? Many 30s/40s/50s clothes are cut for your type of figure. I think Vivien of Holloway might do work clothes or Collectif, possibly even Seamstress of Bloomsbury.

this looks very similar to my ancient Jigsaw suit that worked well for short hourglass me.

Cefinn has some nice workwear

www.cefinn.com/collections/tailoring-suiting

and every-tine I am in Italy I buy from this shop ( in the sale) , they are so well tailored.

www.luisaspagnoli.it/gb_en/

they do have an outlet in London ... or go to Italy for the weekend :-)

Suits are a nightmare when you are this shape. Personally I tend to go for dress suits with either a jacket that is always worn open or a cropped jacket. Trying to get a blazer which can handle big boobs, small waist and big hips/bum simultaneously just doesn't happen for me.

I had a few from phase eight

If this sort of dressing is going to be your norm then worth finding a good seamstress who can alter stuff to fit

I’m hourglass, also have to wear suitd and have to buy jackets that nip in at the waist or I look 2 sizes bigger than I am.

My recommendations are Reiss, jigsaw, Armani (jan sales!), paddy Campbell, ok Bennett. I’m afraid I find Hobbs a bit frumpy. I wear a mixture of skirt suits abd dress suits. Have never found a trouser suit that flatters!