Well, I graduate in May (yay!), and am taking my last few classes now. The
problem is that one of my classes requires professional dress for
presentations, and I have nothing to wear. I've never had to buy a suit
before, and am basically clueless. It wouldn't be so bad, except I'm petite
(5'2) and curvy (not overweight, but wide hips, small waist, big-ish thighs,
etc), and I usually have a hellish time buying clothes that fit just right.
I'm also quite short-waisted.

Is gray better than black? Should I go with a skirt or pants (I'm
personally indifferent, but don't know if there is a benefit of one over the
other)? Any idea what style/cut of jacket is most flattering to someone
like me? I don't have much good shopping locally (Orlando is an hour away
though, and has almost any store), so I would like to have some idea of what
styles I need to focus on, so I don't end up wasting time and getting burned
out. I'm not so worried about what brand to get, just the
style/cut/color/etc. I just want it to be a good one since I will need it
for internships next year, too.

Thanks so much for any help!
Jennifer

I'm only 5', and I've had the best luck with suits at Petite Sophisticate,
and Ann Taylor Loft. They sell the pants and jacket separately, so you can
get the exact size you need for top & bottom. All department store "petite"
suits I've ever tried on never fit right.

FYI: I have 2. One is black, one is gray. I'm in the market for a pinstripe
one..I desperately want a dark gray one with purple/blue stripes. Ann
Taylor has one, but I need it to go on sale! Mine both also have the
"normal" suit length jacket. All the waist length jackets I've tried don't
like right on me, and the princess-type seam ones that go to around the hips
look the best.

You may be able to find a suit with matching skirt, pants and jacket as
well. I prefer pants - it eliminates the need for nylons and conservative
skirt shoes.

HTH!
Kelly

"Jennifer R." <jr_0162000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:78OKb.26861$WQ3.6487@lakeread05...

I'm a curvy shorty too, and short waisted to boot. I found some of my
professional clothes from AnnTaylor Petites. I stayed away from their
pants, because they seemed to be made for people who had slimmer hips than I
have. I focused on their skirts and jackets and was quite happy.

Depending upon the season, I liked Talbot's for some professional wear.
Their pants fit a curvy shape a better and they also carry Petites. They
have some classic clothing. I think that they also had a seamstress on site
that could make modifications if needed.

Nordstrom's has a Petite section, too, and like most other department
stores, have someone to do alterations if needed.

For basic professional wear, I think tailored pants and nice skirts and
jackets are great. I prefer black personally. Don't forget that
accessories can really add to and change different outfits. Have fun with
some scarves, earrings, shoes, etc.

Congratulations early for your pending graduation!


M~Elizabeth

To thine own self be true
"Jennifer R." <jr_0162000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:78OKb.26861$WQ3.6487@lakeread05...

I am 5'4" and curvy, more than ample thighs, and short waisted!

I found a great Jones of New York suit at our local Marshall Fields. I have
such a dreadful time with suits, but this one fit great. You could buy the
pieces separately, too. Navy, simple straight not tapered legs, no pleats
pants, and jacket. A skirt was available, but I really avoid skirts.. to much
bending and lifting in my business to deal with that.

Another option is to try a personal shopper in stores around you. If you
happen to luck upon a good one (and they are out there), they are amazing, and
it's free!
-

-
Carol-
(remove Nospam to email)

"Jennifer R." <jr_0162000@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<78OKb.26861$WQ3.6487@lakeread05>...
I would think any dark color would be good (black, grey or navy - my
preference is black, but my preference for *everything* is black), and
either a skirt suit or a pant suit would be good. What I would focus
on is finding a suit where the pieces look good on their own, too, and
could easily go with other pieces as you pick them up later on. I
wish I had some suggestions about style and fit, but I'd think most
classic shapes with as little ornamentation as possible are probably
your best bet (the plainer the suit, the easier it is to dress up and
down and change the look with different pieces). It may be you'll
need to take the bottom (whether a skirt or pants) to be hemmed a bit
afterwards; I find it's worth the fairly minimal cost.

I'm sure someone with much more savvy about style and fit will pipe up
shortly.

Fondly,
Faintly McAbre, all of 5'3

On 1/7/04 1:00 AM, in article 78OKb.26861$WQ3.6487@lakeread05, "Jennifer R."
<jr_0162000@yahoo.com> wrote:

I personally prefer charcoal grey over black, but it depends on what looks
good on you. My favorite suit happens to be black with semi-shiny black
pinstriping, which helps it from being too black. Ideally you want a
skirt/pant/jacket set. If you want to be very conservative, get a skirt
suit; however, I personally feel more confident in pant suits and thus
ignore most skirt suits. If you get a pant suit, I suggest a slightly wide
straight leg, which is more timeless.


ami

"melizabeth" <chris1031@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:bth1db$1k7$1@titan.btinternet.com...
That sounds perfect. Are the AT Petites sold in regular Ann Taylor stores?
We have an AT at our local mall, but I haven't spent much time in it before.

<snip>
True.. once I buy a suit I will come back for help in picking out shoes.
My tastes for day-to-day and special occasions are definitely not
business-appropriate!

I'll stop by Talbots also this week and look at their pants.. they sound
like a winner.

Jennifer

"Faintly McAbre, The Singular Pocketwop" <faintly_mcabre@hotmail.com> wrote
in message news:17b5c09f.0401070952.5e5376f3@posting.google.c om...
I am leaning towards that. I actually don't own a pair of black pants (I
know, I know!) so I could kill two birds with one stone with a black pants
suit. I do like the idea that others have suggested of getting a
skirt-pant-jacket suit.. I didn't even think of that! Plus I have 2
presentations this semester to dress up, so I could use both.

I
Good idea. I sometimes let myself look at things that are pretty but aren't
as versatile("ooh, grey with purple pinstripes!!). At this point it is
probably a better idea to get something that is more basic. I will do as
another poster wisely suggested, and be creative with my accessories.

And hemming is already a way of life for me.

Thanks!
Jennifer

Yes, they are sold in the regular AT stores...and the AT Loft stores as
well. You may want to check out some outlet malls if you have any near you.
You could get some good savings.

Good luck, have a blast, and don't forget to post your purchases!

--
M~Elizabeth

To thine own self be true
"Jennifer R." <jr_0162000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a75Lb.27224$WQ3.815@lakeread05...

"Jennifer R." <jr_0162000@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<78OKb.26861$WQ3.6487@lakeread05>...
How exciting to be just starting a new wardrobe. I am petite too,
with a small waist, and my hips can be hard to fit depending on my
weight at any given time.

Regarding clothing color, go for one color for all pieces, with that
color being whatever is flattering on you. Try on black, gray, navy,
patterns like pinstripes etc. and see what looks best. In terms of a
silhouette, I would recommend starting out with a short
single-breasted jacket--not cropped, but hitting at the hip. That
length, along with wearing one main color, strikes a nice balance of
blending the upper and lower body while not completely hiding your
curves. For pants, a flat front with wider leg and no cuffs will be
flattering. Also get a skirt that's knee-length or a little above.
These pieces will be a great core when you expand your wardrobe later.

I almost cried with joy when Banana Republic came out with petite
sizes. Give them a try. There are only a few BR stores in the US
that carry them, but you can find them on the web site. The different
fits of pants make it more likely you will find one that works for
you. They also have a good selection of coordinating pieces.

Good luck!

~ellabella

girl99nospam@earthlink.net (ellabella) wrote in message news:<42255379.0401090526.64885096@posting.google. com>...
traditional. Don't go for a tremendously trendy style unless you can
afford to buy more than one suit. Navy & Grey are the usual "uniform"
colors, but other colors can be adequate too...like brown, lighter
grey (especially since you are in FL)
You will probably get more milleage out of a darker color since then
you can easily change the look with a different colored top. Remember
in most companies you interview at least twice--and sometimes 3
times--before you get a job offer, so by getting something very
neutral & dark it won't look like you are wearing the same suit each
time. Of course if your finances allow it I would recommend you buy
at least two suits for the initial interview and the follow-up
interview. By the way, I would stay away from black if I was you--it
looks too much like you are going to a funeral.

Regarding the shape of the suit, as per your body description I would
stick to single breasted jackets, and a straight skirt maybe hitting
right below the knee (or just above the knee, but don't go mini)

Regarding pant suits, it all depends on what's the accepted way where
you are, AND the industry. Some industries like Finance, Insurance,
Law are VERY traditional so you'll have very leaway. For those type
of ultra conservative industries I would say stick to a skirt. For
other more informal industries it may be OK to do a pant-suit. I
wouldn't though, this is your first job so I am assuming you have
little or no experience for whatever job you are going...so you really
want them to see you and say this is the right person for the
job...not...hmmm maybe this is the right person for the job.

Keep your accessories minimal and smallish. Again no huge fashion
statements, unless you are going for a creative post. Try to wear
discreet makeup and nail polish (I would avoid the 3 inch long red
nails look for an interview)

One last thing, I read a couple of years ago that yellow is great
color for interviewing tops something to do with memory. Apparently
there was a study made and the result was that Human Resources people
remembered better those candidates who wore something yellow. So
something to keep in mind when you are selecting your top.


--Maria

"Jennifer R." <jr_0162000@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<78OKb.26861$WQ3.6487@lakeread05>...

a good guide or reference for your career is the current book
"Secretes of Style: InStyle's Complete Guide to Dressing Your Best
Every Day" by Lisa Arbetter as a basic and starting point for your
wardrobe. i saw a lower price paperback "magazine" version but dont
know if it have every topic as the hardback becasue i didnt not look
at the paperback that closely.

or you can go to "ehow" to the personal care/ style section where they
have advice for your image and tips from others who visit their site
on verious topics. you need to register etc but its free for now

heres the url to "ehow"
http://encarta.ehow.com/home/home.jsp

also its better to buy and build your outfits from a few better
quality labels or clothes and start slow than have a lots of lower
cost or poorer quality clothes.


congrats on you finishing your education and best wishes in your
career


tina