Okay, I’m still between a rock and a hard place on this age-appropriate-suit-seperates thing. Ann Taylor is having a suit sale. Unfortunately, I can’t try it on 'cause we ain’t got one here. So here’s the question:
Assuming a normal figure, neither short nor tall, six 6 on top and 10/12 on the bottom (I know, I’m working on it) and an A-line knee length skirt, should one get a two button or three button jacket? This is an interview suit and will most likely be worn with the jacket buttoned. Which looks more polished? From the pictures, the two button may be a little longer.
Oh, duh, I can just link. They’re extremely standard suit pieces, nothing interesting about them whatsoever, really, except that the skirt isn’t a pencil skirt (thank god).
See, I have to go for the two-button, b/c there aren’t pockets on the front and it’s a more traditional, classic cut. The three-button looks a little more trendy. That being said, I’m inclined to say that neither jacket will make a substantive difference in how your interview goes.
Would you go for a shell or a collared shirt under it? Sigh, I’m usually good with womens’ clothes, but this whole be-28-and-interview-for-job-managing-people-your-mother’s-age thing kind of has me scattered. Otherwise I’d never be following my dad’s advice, who knows a lot about hiring and firing but nothing about women’s clothing (“can you put a pocket square in it?”)
My thought was, the two button might provide a longer line into the skirt, but the three may be more tailored-looking. The two button might be too old looking - I don’t want to look like I’m playing dress-up in my mother’s closet.
I have that exact same suit in a size 6 and I love it, it is incredibly flattering. I have the 2 button jacket. I wear it with either: a solid violet colored long sleeve button down silk shirt or a dark grey, burgundy, violet paisley button down silk shirt (it is really pretty).
How fitted is it? I find that insufficiently fitted suit jackets hit that “mom’s closet” note.
ETA - this is a library interview, not a law firm - but I happen to know that one of the people I’d be interviewing with (they haven’t even asked yet! but I’m an internal candidate and surely they’ll at least interview me) really, really likes to see people dress up for interviews. So I may indeed have to own a pair of pantyhose. Also, the job is a step up managerial-wise.
Unless you’re particularly flat chested, the two-button is going to do more for you. It will draw in the waist and support the top. If you are flat chested, having a more solid line along the side (which will be got with the three-button) will make your hips seem wider, which diverts from the chest.
If you go for a three-button, you want a collar that’s frilly in the front if the person interviewing you is older than you. With the two, you want to keep your upper chest clear, so either a short collar or a low neck, either is fine. Collar would be better if you’re interviewing with a woman.
I DO NOT need my hips to seem wider. As I said above, I need a 6 on top and a 10/12 on the bottom. What I need is a great big sign that says DO NOT LOOK AT MY HIPS.
A lady asked me when I was due once. The reason I find myself buying a new suit is that my interview suit for the job I got two and a half years ago? Size 2.
Hmmm, it’s moderately fitted, I suppose. I don’t like clothes to fit snugly, but I feel shapely and pretty in it. I also got the pants which I wear with sexy black boots with high heels (no hose needed).
I didn’t say I got no chest. Going up sizes like that does come with some compensation.
Seriously, though, I wish I could go back in time and tell my high school self that, no, it’s really freaking inconvenient to go up a bra size - not only is it expensive, but it limits what you can wear, it’s uncomfortable, and you won’t want to answer the door in your pajamas anymore.
FWIW, I’m normally a size 8 but in Ann Taylor skirts, I always have to go down to a 6, and in one instance a size four. I don’t know why, and I do wear an 8 in their pants, but I thought I’d throw it out there as a warning.
As a pear-shaped girl, I’m going to go against the grain and say choose the three button. It’s got a wider neckline, which will balance out your hips, more detail at the collar, which will attract attention to your face (where you want it!), especially with a bright shirt or shell, and if you carry your weight in the “saddlebag” top of the thighs area at all, the length will be much more flattering.
I’ll also second Sue Duhnym’s warning about Ann Taylor’s sizing, and mention that I’m 5’5", and in their skirts and dresses I usually wind up getting the petite, because their regular skirts tend to hit me in an unflattering (for me) place an inch below the knee. And lastly I’ll note that Ann Taylor’s jackets definitely tend toward the curvy, bless them.
I’m assuming the Ann Taylor sizing is similar to the Ann Taylor Loft sizing, where I’m a 10 in pants as of yesterday. I ordered the two button jacket, if I don’t care for it I can exchange it.
Yeah, I like shells if I ever have to wear a jacket, too. When I’ve tried collared shirts with jackets, I look like I’m trying to dress up as a man, even when the suit has a feminine cut. Luckily for me, I’m almost never in a situation where I can’t just forget the jacket and wear a nice pair of slacks with a button-down shirt.
/edit: Almost forgot! I like the two button; the arms on the three button look odd to me.
The 2 button jacket that you’re looking at should be high enough of a stance to not worry about it, but a lower stance with a larger bust will often not fit correctly. I have this issue a lot (since I have a large bust but a small ribcage); the suit will either fit me like a sack, or fit me nicely in the waist and then do this embarassing “fold/bend outwards at the bust”. It won’t lie flat, looks ill-fitting and will not make you feel confident at all.
Even without that, I’d probably go for the 3 button jacket, because it’s a shorter cut. You’re larger on the bottom and often a jacket that stops a bit above the hip will look much better than one that stretches over the hips and booty.
