Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Hi. I am a law student and LIF noob. On-Campus Interviews start next month and I don't have one decent suit!

Where do I go in Manhattan to buy high-quality, conservative wool suits? I took a look at the Brooks Brothers website and the selection is depressingly skimpy. I want a dark gray suit and a navy suit but all their stuff right now seems to be beige and other light colors.

I have been lurking here for a while and noticed that there are a few lawyer and business exec members. Please tell me where you go to get your stuff.

Thanks!

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I'm not in the city but I would head to a dept store like Macy's, Bloomies, Lord & Taylor, Saks... etc

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

For my suits I normally shop at saks and Brooks Brothers.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I always have the best luck at Macy's for my suits.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I do JCrew and Ann Taylor most.

ETA: You might have a hard time finding the dark color wool suits in stores now because they mostly have the light color summer-weight suits. You might have better luck when the fall collections come in.

Message edited 7/12/2006 7:02:21 PM.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

first off, WELCOME!

I have 1 suit, its wool, and fabulous. I bought it at Lord & Taylor.

etd b/c I named the wrong store!

Message edited 7/12/2006 6:52:34 PM.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Ann Taylor, Saks, and J Crew is where all of my suits are from.

Actually I have also found nice ones on sale at Lord & Taylor!

Good luck!

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Try the Department stores (I like Macys and Lord and Taylor), or otherwise, Ann Taylor. I get most of my suits from AT.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Thanks, everybody, for the quick reply!

I will hit BB and JCrew tomorrow and the department stores later in the week. I didnt even think of L&T.

Would you please give me an idea of how much a wool suit (jacket and skirt) would cost at regular price? I know it's going to be expensive and I don't want to get sticker shock in the store.

Also, how much would a high-quality silk blouse run me at these stores?

One last question--conservative dress pumps that are comfortable but don't look like they belong to Granny. Are they just a corporate woman's myth or do they really exist? If so, what brand?

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your advice.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Message edited 7/12/2006 7:21:39 PM.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I've seen suits range anywhere between $200-$1000, just depends on the fabric and quality.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Hi! I'm an atty in nyc and went through the whole on-campus interview thing. I think jcrew suits are fine for when you actually have the job but for on campus and call backs you need a more formal suit. I would try bloomingdales or something like that. Ann taylor is hit or miss - usually I think only their black suits are good for interviews. Get a skirt suit. Black, dark grey or navy are the only colors i would wear for an interview. also, u should have two good interview suits - so u don't have to wear the same one to the on campus and to the call back. good luck. hope this helps

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I would check out L&T, Saks, Brooks and Bloomingdales - (I went to law school - I shopped at those places and many of my atty friends shop at those places) If you can get out of the island - Nordstroms also has a lot of those things as well -

You can get a nice conservative tahari, Jones New York, Ellen Tracy or Kasper suit for about 200 (on sale) to 400 or so. They make navy and black suits that are conservative but not frumpy. You can get good quality blouses for interviews at Bloomingdales or L&T without any problem. They have plenty of those things. I never had a problem finding interview things at these places.

Cole haan, Ann Klein, Via Spiga also have nice conservative business pumps - that are also not too frumpy but are business/interview appropriate.

Message edited 7/12/2006 8:33:46 PM.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I got a beautiful suit at Nordstroms. AND coincidentally, they are having a big sale this week.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I like Nordstroms too b/c their customer service is by far the best I've come across.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

im not an atty but i have to dress conservatively for work functions.

i will go to the brooks brothers outlet or j crew outlet. i also found some great suits at h&m for under $100 sometimes. since thier sizes run weird, i usually buy one size up then get it tailored to fit me perfectly.

i have also purchased many suites at te bcbg outlet and also at tjmaxx and marshalls too.

my advice is, its not how well the suit is made, its how it looks and fits on you. an ill fitting suit will look frumpy whether its from neiman marcus or kmart.

good luck!!!

Message edited 7/13/2006 9:58:43 AM.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I got a bunch of conservative suits at the department stores. I also hit Woodbury Commons and Loehmans. Loehmans usually has pretty conservative suits ( tons of Tahari) on sale. Jones New York also makes conservative suits.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I have to agree with Tahari suits. Great, comfortable fit and made nicely.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I'm not a lawyer, but I work in a legal dept. Lord & Taylor is my best bet and I think the fall suits are starting to come in. Tahari, Anne Klein or Calvin Klein are my favorites. You can find "sensible" shoes there too. The shoe dept at Macy's in Herald Sq. is huge, but a little overwhelming!

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

I got my interview suit from Lord and taylor- a navy blue tahari - it has worked for all my interviews- I went for skirts in both my suits

thre is also a tahari outlet at tanger may be hit or miss though

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Honestly, Kohl's has really nice suits. Ive gotten like 5 from there.
And they are cheap.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Lord and Taylor.
I bought about 4 Tahari suits from there as well as an awesome grey Ralph Lauren suit.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

If you have some money to spend, I hear Theory suits are the best.

Re: Lawyers and business execs--need shopping advice

Thanks so much!

I am one of those weird women who hates shopping (unless it's for computer/electronic gadgets) so you have no idea how traumatic this is for me. When I got married last year, I almost bought my wedding dress online--sight unseen! I'm bad.

Ok I'm off to shop now...