Dear Readers, Just last week I taped a radio show interview and a tall, confident, well-dressed young gentleman greeted me enthusiastically. His look was cool, sharp and strictly business: a three piece suit that was clearly custom made, a button front shirt and a modern tasteful tie. During the interview, he asked me this: Is it true that suits are out? chanel spring 2013
For many years now, suits have been considered passé in the world of fashion. What a shame! What a mistake to believe it. The legendary Giorgio Armani, high priest of suit design, put it this way: "Nothing elevates one's appearance more dramatically than wearing a perfectly tailored, beautifully designed and constructed suit." Thank heaven the gods of fashion were listening. Suits are back and even some hip younger designers like Stella McCartney showed suits as part of their collections for fall 2012 and spring 2013. These days, business casual is taking a hard right. Many companies are asking employees to both dial it back and step it up a notch or two in the clothing department. As a result, I'm working with more and more young clients who are worried and confused about what to wear to work. That became abundantly clear when I worked with two intelligent, beautiful business women just last month. Neither owned a suit. Not surprising considering the wacky advice of the media. Fashion editors and TV stylists alike advise women not to wear a traditional suit. Instead, they suggest wearing unexpected combinations at work, like a blazer with a denim shirt and a short little pleated skirt. "Cinch the waist with a studded black leather motorcycle belt, then add a pair of trendy riding boots and you are good to go." They insist that the blazer jacket makes the outfit work-appropriate. On what planet? No wonder these young women are confused! Suits may not always be trendy like they are right now, but they will always be in style and they will always be appropriate for business. But what if I am not a business person you ask? Guess what. You still need a great looking suit in your wardrobe. Dress it up for a solemn occasion. Dress it down for a fundraiser luncheon. Wear the jacket as a blazer with jeans for a casual weekend look. Wear the pants with a silk shirt for dinner with friends. Win/Win. Some brands I like are Theory for the slimmer younger figure, Classique (Nordstrom house brand) for interesting fabrics and styling, J.Crew for a more traditional cut and good quality for the price, and finally, Lafayette 148 for the more affluent and mature figured among us. Suit yourself and you cannot go wrong. "You're gonna like the way you look. I guarantee it." Best regards, Nancy
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