Suit UP!

Every once in a while I find customers in my local boutique have NO idea that the woman's suit exists. They pick up the jacket and are aghast to find it has a matching skirt! Unfortunately, I think the suit in modern times has become equated with mediocre business women. And maybe some modern styles are mediocre. But the vintage suit is far from that!

A well styled vintage suit is every bit as fabulous as a vintage dress. Great textiles and colors available, cuts for all shapes...the boxy Jackie Kennedy jacket, the nipped waist of the classic Lilli Ann. Gorgeous trims from fur to lace to unique buttons. Instant class. And if the matching set isn't the right look for you, consider the jacket and skirt as separates! A great pencil skirt will go with nearly anything, modern or vintage...it's simply a must-have for a basic in a vintage wardrobe! The jacket can be dressed up over a cocktail dress with a statement necklace or brooch, or dressed down over a v-neck tee and denim. The possibilities are endless!

So next time you run across a vintage jacket you love with a matching skirt you don't think you want, don't sell it short as a fun piece to build new outfits around. Some examples from Dorothea's...

Suit Up

A puzzling trend has emerged here at my local boutique. Over and over I overhear customers who, upon discovering a full rack of 2 piece women's suits, exclaim surprise that the jacket they hold in their hands that they very much love has a matching skirt! Its truly stunning how many women come in that seem to have no concept of the idea of the suit for women. Nearly just as often I am asked to sell the jacket separately from the skirt, which I have to politely decline.

The suit is basically a two piece dress. Seen every season in some incarnation, the suit has not and never will go "out of style". These, from Dolce and Gabbana...

And from Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel....

So the suit has not become passe by any means. The suit is not a foreign concept in fashion, in fact quite the opposite. So why the fear? Why the scorn? Is it the matchy-matchy, Garanimals vibe a two piece set gives off to some people? Maybe so. But is it really so hard to imagine taking TWO great pieces of clothing and mixing them up with other pieces? Twill skirt with skinny sweater and tights, belted jacket over cami with jeans, pencil skirt with fitted tee and cardigan, jacket over printed dress (a la Kyra Sedgewick on "the Closer")...

To me, it seems like a slam dunk purchase to buy a vintage suit. Take this pewter 40s suit now offered at DOROTHEA'S CLOSET VINTAGE. A gorgeous "dress" worn together, it also packs loads of potential worn as individual pieces....

Classic design whether 40s nipped waist or 60s boxy cropped cuts, you get a complete look to custom accessorize to taste when worn together AND two great separates to mix into your wardrobe a myriad of ways. Don't fear the suit!

~Ang

40something

Vogue magazine declares "the 40s are in". Shoulder pads are making the runway rounds again. Suits worn as separates are the hot look for fall. Its the perfect time to mix a little real 40s with your modern wardrobe! These 40s pieces epitomize the iconic look without looking too much like you're headed to a U.S.O. party. All pics click to the site where you'll find tons more vintage (and yes, lots of 40s!).

The classic 40s suit, wide shoulders, nipped waist, pencil skirt, cool details...perfect together with some chunky accessories, tights & booties or separately layered into a myriad of ensembles!

Early 40s wool set in hunter green plaid, body conscious vest and skirt fantastic worn together over a short puff sleeve blouse, under a belted sweater or worn separately worked into scads of outfits! Imagine the vest belted over a skinny turtle neck with wide leg denim!

For a classic evening look, a sequined bodice crepe full length gown is red carpet perfect....

And for at home entertaining or an elegant evening out, leopard velvet meets amber silk chiffon!....

~Ang

Loving Lagerfeld.

Karl Lagerfeld iconic 80's cocktail suit with 3-D beaded Schiaparelli inspired insects perched on vest inset, peaked cuffs and back of shawl collar.

Suit has found a new home, but I was lucky enough to be able to do a shoot with the lovely Emily Svec before it left the boutique!

~Ang