Be my personal suit shopper?

December 26, 2013 5:44 PM

It is APPIC predoctoral internship interview season, and I need a new, formal suit ASAP for mid January!

I am rather broke right now, and I'd prefer to spend around $200 to $350 max. Anything that is on sale or discounted would be awesome. I want something that is somewhat stylish and modern, think like skinnier suit pants on the bottom. One difficulty is that one of my interviews in in LA, and it'll probably be in the 80's, so I'd prefer something lighter weight and breathable. I am thinking black, but also could do a dark charcoal. I am a relatively ordinary size and height, so no need for petite or plus sizes. My last suit was from Banana Republic and I was checking there at the Westfield Mall in San Francisco, but everything they carried seemed so much more chinzy than the selection from a few years ago. I also looked at JCrew, but their suits seemed prohibitively expensive, even with the 30% sale that they are currently running. Are there particular brands or places that you like for modern, affordable suiting? My next stop will be H&M, but I am worried that their suiting will look too inexpensive. Any San Francisco specific places for second hand suiting would also be welcome. Any help or ideas would be great, because I am at a loss right now and need to get something pretty fast. Thanks in advance!

posted by amileighs to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (14 answers total)

I know this seems like a crapshoot that will take too much time, but start with decent thrift stores. I'm plus-sized and never wear jackets because I have a big ol' rack. I found nothing in any store -- department, plus-sized or anywhere else. At my local St. Vinnie's, just when I was about to lose hope, I found a Ralph Lauren pinstriped suit that needed no alterations for $13. My button-up shirt alone cost $65 at Macy's.

How about Nordstrom Rack or something like that?

You'll hopefully find a quality suit for way less money, and if you find a decent brand the cut will still be on the classic side of modern. But you should still have a little time for alterations if needed.
posted by Madamina at 6:02 PM on December 26, 2013

Best answer: Go to whatever discount store is around (Nordstrom Rack, Marshall's, etc.) and then go to a tailor. A well-tailored suit can make an inexpensive suit look really dashing.
posted by xingcat at 6:40 PM on December 26, 2013

I've found some great suits for really cheap at Nordstrom Rack and Macy's sales. Definitely budget in tailoring. Go with grey, navy blue, or charcoal. Black suits are for funerals.
posted by Arbac at 6:55 PM on December 26, 2013

Just to clarify, you're a gal, right?
posted by mollymayhem at 6:57 PM on December 26, 2013 [1 favorite]

The fancy Goodwill on West Portal often has suits. I got a lovely suit there a few years ago.
posted by mollymayhem at 6:58 PM on December 26, 2013

Unfortunately there is not one in the City, but I have gotten great suits at The Limited (and they are always having 30% or 40% off coupons, sign up for their emails).
posted by radioamy at 7:04 PM on December 26, 2013

The Goodwill flagship store in SOMA (on Van Ness) generally has a big selection of women's clothing and I've bought suits there.
posted by needs more cowbell at 7:04 PM on December 26, 2013

Response by poster: Yup, I'm a gal - should have included that!
posted by amileighs at 7:14 PM on December 26, 2013

You're worried about the heat and you want to get a black suit? Skip it to gray.
posted by oceanjesse at 7:44 PM on December 26, 2013

Best answer: Ann Taylor is the classic go-to, and appear to be running a decent post-holidays sale right now, including a 40% off full-price styles (code is ANNJOY... heh). They have a range of styles, which is nice because you can pick something a little bit different, but not terribly untraditional - important for interviews.
posted by honeybee413 at 9:19 PM on December 26, 2013

I've gotten a decent-looking plain grey suit from H&M before, but the quality obviously is not as good. For a standard interview suit, I would second the recommendation of Ann Taylor, and would add that if there's an Ann Taylor Factory store at an outlet mall near you, it may worth heading out there. I've had good luck with prices/sales and selection at their outlet stores.
posted by Carmelita Spats at 8:54 AM on December 27, 2013

Best answer: My wife, who did the appic process three years ago, seconds the Ann Taylor suggestion and strongly recommends a black pant suit. Some of the interviews featured a lot of walking, so comfortable but stylish shoes are a plus.
posted by jeffch at 12:53 PM on December 27, 2013

I've gotten great deals on suits at Macy's. I don't normally shop there but it's become my go-to place when I need a suit that I might only wear a few times. They have a huge stock, so you can try on lots of different suits, and I feel like I've often gotten 50% off deals. This is a great time to shop as well.

Also, I've done really well at TJ Maxx, Ross, that kind of place. They seem to have racks full of last year's Calvin Klein suits at great prices. Last year is still plenty current enough for me, anyway.
posted by bluedaisy at 3:12 PM on December 27, 2013

Response by poster: Thanks everyone - I was able to get a basic black Calvin Klein pant suit at Burlington Coat Factory and got it tailored at Wah's Fashion on Market Street for about $150! Now I'm done with my interviews, and just keeping my fingers crossed for Match Day. :)
posted by amileighs at 1:57 PM on January 27, 2014