My Favorite Places to Buy a Suit

Finding a suit can be a little tricky nowadays, especially if you’re buying on a budget. Don’t fret, I’m here to help! Below are my favorite places to buy a suit. Also, I’ve included a few notes about why I like these stores and what I look for when I embark upon my suit-shopping adventures.

Nordstrom

Not all department stores are created equal. Nordstrom, however, does a great job of offering a wide selection of modern suits, staple suits (the plain ones that will last you forever), affordable items, and high-priced aspirational pieces. You’ll find some cute and low-priced Halogen items mixed along with Veronica Beard and St. John Collection.

Their online store is relatively easy to navigate (if you’re browsing for suits on their website, I suggest clicking “Women,” then “Clothing” from the drop-down menu, and THEN clicking the “Suits” option since it doesn’t show up in the initial drop-down menu *eye roll*). Also, you can usually assume that the brands they offer online are good-quality items, so you won’t have to sort through pieces that will fall apart on you in a year.

Anne Klein Long Boyfriend Suit Jacket, available here, $95.20.

Anne Klein Slim Suit Pants, available here, $46.18.

Reiss Tally Double Breasted Wool Blend Jacket, available here, $440.00.

Reiss Joanne Ankle Pants, available here, $195.00.

White House Black Market

WHBM isn’t really where I would start if I was looking for a staple suit. Instead, it’s where I would look for a stylish, professional, memorable suit that I wish I could wear every single day. I love the quality of their clothing and, if you aren’t big on online shopping, I’m usually impressed by their in-store customer service. Check out the to-die-for burgundy and beige suits below!

White House Black Market, here, $170.00.

White House Black Market, here, $99.00.

Blazer, White House Black Market, here, $170.00.

White House Black Market, here, $89.00.

Ann Taylor

I’m a huge Ann Taylor fan. It’s the first store I go to if I happen to be wandering around at the mall; also, their sale rack is my own personal version of heaven. Although Ann Taylor has a wide selection of fantastic full-price suits online, I’d make sure to keep an eye out for their sales. I’ve lucked up on a herringbone suit for about $100 that was on sale a while ago. If you’re interested in keeping track of their sales, make sure to sign up for their email list. See below for a few pieces in their current offering.

Crosshatch One Button Blazer, Ann Taylor, available here, $179.00.

Crosshatch Pencil Skirt, Ann Taylor, available here, $98.00.

Ann Taylor Seasonless Stretch One Button Perfect Blazer

Seasonless Stretch One Button Perfect Blazer, Ann Taylor, available here, $169.00.

Ann Taylor Seasonless Stretch Seamed Pencil Skirt

Seasonless Stretch Seamed Pencil Skirt, Ann Taylor, available here, $89.00.

Brooks Brothers

Need a staple suit? Run to Brooks Brothers (also the store that carries one of my favorite white blouses). Although they’re known for their $600 suits, they have a “Red Fleece” line that puts the Brooks Brothers brand well within reach of many who can’t fathom dropping so much money on one garment. With their high-quality fabric and excellent customer service, this is the brand to use if you want to buy a suit that will last you for years. The cherry on top: they offer free tailoring of the garments you buy from them. I would know, they tailored the suit I’m wearing in the photos at the bottom of this article!

Brooks Brothers Stretch Wool One-Button Jacket, available here, $198.00.

Brooks Brothers Stretch Wool Pencil Skirt, available here, $98.

Belk

You may have to sift through some not-so-modern garments when looking to buy a suit from Belk, but the search will be well worth your time. Belk offers some of the brands you may have heard about for years: Tahari, Vince Camuto, and Nine West. Their offering of well-recognized and affordable brands makes this department store a go-to if you are shopping on a budget but don’t want your outfit to show it. Make sure to check out their sale section!

Nine West Plaid Double Breasted Jacket, available here, currently marked down to $64.50.

Nine West Plaid Straight Slim Pants, available here, currently marked down to $44.50.

Tahari ASL Faux Double Breasted Jacket, available here, $139.00.

Tahari ASL Flat Front Solid Skirt, available here, $69.00.

ASOS

If you’re looking for a unique, modern, affordable suit, ASOS is your best bet. It’s not great for staple suits, but it is my favorite place to look for fun suits that I want to wear on special occasions. It’s not often that you can justify wearing a pink or purple suit, but I’d try wearing one to a fun outing after a conference or a casual networking event. A unique suit is also great to have if you want to wear the separate pieces as a cool pop of color to accent an otherwise boring outfit. Plus, as I explained in this article, using items from your work wardrobe in your casual outfits is a great way to get the most out of your clothing.

Y.A.S Bright Tailored Suit, slacks available here, $72.00,
blazer available here, $95.00.

ASOS Design High Break Pin Tuck Suit, slacks available here $51.00,
blazer available here, $83.00.

Check these places out and let me know which ones are your favorites!

Yours in the hunt to buy a suit,

–Cheslie

Pictured below: Brooks Brothers Stretch Wool One-Button Jacket, available here, $198.00, Brooks Brothers Stretch Wool Pencil Skirt, available here, $98, Sam Edelman Danna Pointy Toe Pumps, available here, $129.95, H&M bag, old.

2 Comments

Erica says:
October 17, 2018 at 11:25 am
Thanks for the info! There’s nothing like a great suit. I was also thinking about New York & Company for their suit separates.
- Jenna says:
  October 17, 2019 at 2:39 am
  Thank you for posting great info and links to items. I’m glad I found White Collar Glam!