About Women's Suits

The suit is the foundation of the modern woman's wardrobe. Unlike jeans, dress slacks or basic dresses, no other garment can transform from day to evening easier than a woman's suit. A woman's suit has evolved from dowdy floor-length flocks to sophisticated pieces that reveal the wearer's professionalism and prestige. Whether you choose to wear a pantsuit for work or a skirted suit for special occasions, there is nothing more versatile or flattering than a crisply tailored woman's suit.

History

According to FashionEncyclopedia.com, women's tailored suits worn in the early 1900s consisted of a floor-length skirt and a jacket. This suit jacket was decorated with fancy buttons and mimicked the United States Naval uniforms. In the late 1920s, as women traveled more and were more active participants in society, hemlines were raised and jackets were less bulky.
As women's suits evolved, skirts lengths ended at the knee and jackets were tailored to fit the natural curve of a woman's body. During the early 1980s a woman's business suit was a symbol of power, competence and equality.

Significance

Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines a suit as an ensemble of two or more matching garments. The word suit derives from the French word "suite." The various styles of suits for women include business suits, special occasion suits, casual suits and after-five or formal suits. Fabric choices and accessories determine the proper occasion and appropriateness of the suit. Traditionally women's suiting is paired with tailored blouses made of cotton or silk.

Types

There are two types of women's suits: the pantsuit and the skirted suit. Coco Chanel modernized the woman's skirted suit through her use of pencil skirts and boxy jackets. As women joined the workforce and desired equality with their male counterparts, a more suitable option for work wear--the pantsuit--was born. The modern pantsuit introduced by Andre Courreges in the late 1960s gained worldwide acceptance with Yves Saint Laurent's "Le Smoking Jacket" and "Safari" pantsuits.

Features

In comparison to a man's simple suit of trousers, vest and a simple jacket, a woman's suit presents many style options. With a wide range of fabric choices, colors and design elements, a woman's suit can convert from business to dressy without additional costs or the need for tailoring. Fabric options for women's suits include velvet, wool, crepe, silk, polyester, suede, leather and cotton.

Expert Insight

Pantsuits were not embraced immediately by women as suitable items of dress. Prices for women's suits vary. A woman can expect to pay a low of $79 for a suit at an off-price retailer or in upwards of $10,000 for a basic Chanel suit.
A seamstress or tailor can construct a woman's suit for a price considerably lower than what you would expect to pay in a retail store. Women's suits are often constructed of fabrics that require dry cleaning.

Resources

• Fashion Encylopedia--Tailored Suits for Women
• Fashion Encyclopedia--Women's Pantsuits
• Overstock--Women's Suit-Buying Guide