Womens Suits
Fitting a Suit Jacket
This page is about how to fit suits. First
of all choose a modern suit with classic tailoring. Remember, even
traditional suits change their lines over time. Keep in mind
a good suit should make you feel: Pulled together, not dowdy.
Tall and sender, not shorter or heavier. Sophisticated suits
should be urban style not
geekish or clone-like
Starting with the jacket. When fitting a jacket make sure you have
it buttoned. I know, you’ll probably never button your jacket, but when
fitting a jacket, make sure it fits well buttoned.
Almost always
choose a 1-2 button suit over three or more. A three-button suit can
look a stuffy and uptight and unless you're really slim a 1-2 button
suit jacket will fit a woman's body better, particularly if you're top
heavy. Also if you're top heavy, a 1-2 button jacket will have a deeper
"V" which will be more flattering.
Lapels should lay flat on
your chest, not bow out. If they bow out the jacket is too small also
the buttons should not pull. The length of the jacket should
fall
somewhere between the top of the hipbone to just below the widest part
of the thigh. Mid-thigh is a good starting point for most.
When
your trying on clothes, don’t just ask the opinion of your sales person
unless you worked with her or him in the past and trust them
implicitly, ask for opinions of the other women who are there also
trying on clothes as well You’ll be amazed the feedback and ideas
you’ll
get.
Sleeve Length
Womens suits:
Traditionally,
sleeves should
stop a ½ inch below
your wrist bone. This way if you wear a top that is not long
sleeved your jacket sleeves will be long enough. If you do wear a shirt
you should see the cuff of the shirt somewhere between ¼ to1/2 below
the sleeve of the jacket.
I personally love the look of a
very
long cuff (where it lands at my mid knuckles). Also the
sleeves
should have a natural curve that flows from the top of the sleeve down
to the cuff.
While I’m talking about
sleeves, don’t forget to make sure the armhole
is comfortable and not binding.
When the jacket is buttoned,
bring your arms out in front of you
touching your hands together. Your suit jacket can be
slightly restrictive but it should not feel like a winter coat.
If it does look for a lighter weight material or and check to be sure
the lining is slippery and not binding anywhere.
The back of the jacket across your shoulder blades should also fit flat
without ripples when the jacket is buttoned and the hemline should be
even all around.
Our
waist is what separates us from the men. Unless you want a very
masculine appearance, make sure the jacket you choose accentuates this
attribute.
I
hope you found this page "how to fit womens suits" helpful. I
have
a
few other pages that might be helpful as well. Check out: dressing
for success and Job interview.
