Typically, I do not wear a suit to the office. Why would I? Today’s corporate culture is more creative and flexible than ever. Doesn’t a drab blazer and slacks signal a regression to the shoulder pads and gender inequality in “Working Girl?” Wouldn’t retreating to the suit be shackling oneself to an unnecessary uniform?
(I’ve obviously given this a lot of thought.)
But lately, men’s suiting feels very fresh to me — even subversive and unexpected. A dress may inspire compliments, but a suit will spark commentary. (Just look at the number of articles written about powerful women’s attire.) I decided to take a stab at my power dressing ideal: a streamlined, mix-and-match, three-piece suit.
I personalized the look by layering salt-and-pepper shades and high/low labels. The inclusion of the vest is essential, lending the outfit a more masculine edge than a collared shirt. (It’s also more practical to skip the long sleeves in muggy August.)
I bought the vest from Wal-Mart in 2006, back when the retail giants was still trying to beat Target in the fast fashion wars. (Both retailers have lost major ground to H&M and Zara in that category.) I’ve worn the vest in a number of ways over the years: alone with jeans, buttoned over black sweaters, unbuttoned with dark dresses. Its staying power is a reminder than great clothes can come from anywhere — even a Supercenter.
The rest of the outfit comes from high-end labels, but most were bought at consignment stores or outlets. The Dior jacket was a particularly lucky find at Tokio 7 in the East Village. I found a similar Dior jacket online priced at $1,393 (down from $1,639). Mine cost 85% less — roughly what you’d spend for a new blazer at J. Crew. The Manolos were another unreal bargain — they cost about $30 at an Atlanta consignment store in February.
I’ve included a sampling of other vest-centric looks below. But fair warning: I recommend avoiding Diane Keaton’s white button-up/black vest combination. You’ll be asked, “Waiter, where’s my scotch and soda?” all night long.
