Where do I go for classic suits?

[RooRooCooChoo]

Long time lurker but first time poster looking for advice from the S&B mavens.

I will soon be starting a new career in a profession which will require a whole new work wardrobe. Women in the field dress conservatively in traditionally cut black suits. Navy might work at a push, although it could be seen as daringly eccentric!

I have no idea where to look for these clothes as most of my usual haunts (Jigasw, Whistles, Me & Em) add jazzy details - peplums, puffed sleeves etc - to their suiting which I don’t think will fit the bill. I’ve looked at The Fold but everything comes with a “twist” which I might get away with once established, but I won’t want to risk as a newbie.

I’m happy to spend £6-700 on the right suit, although could go higher if necessary. Cheaper would be fantastic, but don’t want to compromise on cut and materials.

So, where should I look for classic, beautifully cut, women’s suits? Thank you!

I just used to buy my work suits at M&S, not sure how their tailoring is these days as I no longer wear business dress. I found the cut was more classic and they did petite options which worked for me. Maybe Max Mara is worth a look? I would recommend buying 2 pairs of trousers or skirts per jacket as I find they wear first. Look at the fabric content, a percentage of wool helps the fabric hold shape and not look shiny.

@CeeceeBloomingdale Thank you for this. Great suggestion to buy 2 bottoms to ever jacket, and I'll take a look at M&S and MaxMara. Crossing my fingers for M&S! 😃

Libby London? They specialise in workwear and have some items without detailing/colour/twists.

Massimo Dutti do very good tailoring, worth having a look there.

I'd also suggest Gant as they have a decent range of smart workwear, or at least they used to.

Reiss might be worth a look too.

I bought a very plain navy blue suit from next today. They also had it in black. The quality appeared way higher than the price would suggest.

https://www.next.co.uk/g75112s1/u57872?dp=a&dndl=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwzuqgBhAcEiwAdj5dRpc3DPO60ZNNPutcmNL0G7iMZToEGFo2-Wd9JcDYuJhGS5p2U83j4RoCjOcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#u57872

https://www.next.co.uk/style/st166101/u57874#u57874

Hobbs!

The Fold

Jaeger, Reiss and Phase Eight all have good quality classically tailored black ladies suits but I could only see trouser suits not skirt suits in their current collections.

Definitely Libby London.

Also try:

Possibly Hobbs.

The Fold but I know what you mean about the jazzy details.

Winser london occasionally have suits although more separates these days.

Find a tailor to have something made? Although I'm not sure how much that would cost these days

Btw if you're going into law do check the dress norms wherever you're going, it's not quite as conservative as it used to be.

Theory https://uk.theory.com/staple-blazer-b/J0709113_001.html?lang=en_GB

Really intrigued by what industry you’re in OP, out of pure curiosity?! Fairly unusual for things to be this formal these days IME

Funeral director?

This is the only one I can think of that needs to wear black or possibly a barrister whilst in court?
OP are you absolutely sure it is so formal? I work in a very formal environment and even there there is a bit more colour than black and navy and the women are super smart but don't feel constrained to wear classic 'men's' suits they wear dresses etc. (but still amazingly smart ones). As others have said do look at Libby London, The Fold, Winser etc.

Barrister or a solicitor in court, but even that wouldn't be so prescriptive as to a black suit as opposed to a black dress.

Very upmarket jeweller's shop?

Reiss - I have a couple of jackets from there and they look very stylish in my view and well-cut.

Theory. Well cut suits and good quality.

Thank you all so much these suggestions. You’re all so helpful! Lots to trawl through, although the challenge will be restricting myself.

I’ll be working as a Barrister, so very helpful to hear that it’s not as formal as I think. I’ve been invited to a few events already and all the women seem to be in black suits (of both the trouser or dress variety). I’ll make sure I don’t go overboard on the funeral look in case I’ve got the wrong end of the stick - unless I want to keep my options open for another career change - thanks for the suggestion @daffodilstreet 😄

COS

I always got my suits from John Lewis. They have their own range.

Usually always jacket, skirt, trousers and dress combos. Usually always in black, navy and grey. Not hugely expensive either.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-taylor-ponte-jacket/p5934149

Yes I'd go for John Lewis and then when you have settled in chose another suit that's more long lasting that you will feel great in.

The dress code isn’t as restrictive as you are assuming. First of all you won’t be in court every day and when you aren’t in court, you can wear what you like within reason. Second, when you are in court, sometimes you will be in chambers where a smart suit is all that is required, and if you are wigged and gowned, the gown will cover most of your suit so any non conservative details such as peplums or balloon sleeves won’t be visible in any event.