9 Of The Best Suits For Women That Get The Job Done, With Style And Ease

The new office dress code calls for polished yet casual suits, like this one from J.Crew

J.Crew

Dressing for the office looks rather different these days. While we’ve retired the sweatpants, workwear is decidedly more relaxed. Even the timeless black power suit has been given a low-key makeover. To help you reboot your ready-to-work wardrobe, we asked the experts for advice on the best women’s business suits to wear right now. No matter your style of fashion taste, they say, go for a look that’s chic and ultra-versatile, whether you’re in the office, partially remote or traveling part of the year.

The beauty of a great suit is that it can be worn multiple ways as a set or separates—silky suit pants can be paired with a gorgeous sweater and a crisp blazer can be layered over a lighter summer dress. If you prefer to keep things casual, the best women’s business suits don’t even have to be structured—see the modern t-shirt suit and jumpsuit for examples. Ahead, we found suits that will make you look forward to Mondays. And for more work-wear inspiration, we also rounded up the best blazer dresses, beautiful flats for daily commutes and more stylish work wardrobe ideas.

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Best Affordable Women’s Business Suit

J.Crew: Versatile Classic For Any Office

J.Crew

J.Crew Cameron Pant In Four-Season Stretch

Sizes: 00-24 | Colors: Black, navy, graphite (blazer); black, navy, graphite, camel (pant)| Material: Polyester, viscose, elastane

J. Crew’s bestselling suit is versatile, chic and easy on the wallet. The tailored pants have clean lines and the blazer has a snug fit that subtly nips in at the waist for a streamlined effect. With a crisp blouse or button-down underneath, the look is pulled together and modern. To take things down a notch, you can pair the blazer with jeans and sneakers for a relaxed take on office-wear.

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J.Crew Coupons | 60% Off In February 2023 | Forbes

Best Tailored Women’s Business Suit

M.M. LaFleur: Crisp But Casual

M.M. LaFleur The Gaia Jacket

M.M LaFleur

M.M. LaFleur Mejia Pant

Sizes: 00-18 | Colors: Black, white, mink (blazer); black, white, blue, black, camel, haze, mink (pant) | Material: Wool, viscose, elastane

For an effortless everyday staple, a casual gray suit with a tailored-yet-slouchy fit is the way to go, says New-York-based fashion stylist Sarah Meikle. ‘The double-breasted long blazer hangs casually but the cinched waist adds a hint of structure,” she says. “You can wear this to the office with a button-down or wear the jacket on its own for weekends with jeans.” The fabric is also low-maintenance and machine-washable.

Best Relaxed Women’s Business Suit

Another Tomorrow: Stylish Linen Option

Another Tomorrow

Another Tomorrow Summer Jacket

Another Tomorrow

Another Tomorrow Summer Trouser

Sizes: 0-14 | Colors: White | Material: Organic linen

Made from organic linen and perfect for summer or fall, this elegant pantsuit has been nominated by Sarah Easley, founder of MaisonMarché, a traveling fashion pop-up. “The ivory suit is a classic and the belt on the jacket adds a feminine touch,” she says. The slightly exaggerated silhouette keeps it modern and the fact that the linen wrinkles “is part of its charm,” she says. The trouser sits high at the waist and is wide through the leg, which makes it look elevated paired with the jacket or worn alone.

Best Fashion-Forward Women’s Business Suit

Banana Republic: Bright, Bold And Tailored Look

Banana Republic

Banana Republic Sculpted Wool Blazer

Banana Republic

Banana Republic Wide-Leg Wool Pant

Sizes: 0-20 | Colors: Blue, black, cream, pink, yellow | Material: Wool

If you’re out to make a color statement, while also keeping things classic, consider the bold blue pop of this sculpted wool suit. Sharply tailored and made from fine Italian wool, this suit looks luxurious but is delightfully inexpensive. It’s so extremely flattering on the body, thanks to its elongating seams and waist-defining darts.

Best Casual Women’s Business Suit With Shorts

Nili Lotan: Polished Transitional Piece

Revolve

Nili Lotan Henry Jacket

Saks Fifth Avenue

Nili Lotan Beatrice Pleated Virgin Wool Shorts

Sizes: 0-6 (blazer); 0-8 (shorts)| Colors: Ivory | Material: Linen, silk

The short suit is having a moment and is a great option in warmer weather and a less traditional work environment, says New York-based fashion stylist Martina Gordon. “White, ivory and beige short suits are a little dressier for the office and the double-breasted, structured blazer with gold buttons looks really polished,” she says.

Best T-Shirt-Style Women’s Business Suit

Theory: Casual Set In No-Wrinkle Crepe

Theory

Theory Flutter Sleeve Top in Striped Admiral Crepe

Theory

Theory Pleated Wide-Leg Pant in Striped Admiral Crepe

Sizes: Petit-large (top); 00-12 (pant)| Colors: Dark coral, deep navy, white | Materials: Triacetate, polyester

Theory is a go-to brand for all your suiting needs, but if you’re looking for maximum comfort combined with easy wearability, this crepe t-shirt suit is a chic option. The top is softly draped yet tailored with a bateau neckline, dropped shoulders and fluttering sleeves, and both pieces also work well as separates. The fabric has a subtle textured stripe for a wrinkle-free finish (no ironing required).

Best Velvet Women’s Business Suit

Tom Ford: The New Power Suit

Net-A-Porter

Tom Ford Cotton-Velvet Flared Pants

Sizes: IT36-48 (blazer); IT36-50 (pant) | Colors: Red, black| Material: Cotton-velvet

This velvet suit is worthy splurge for the office and can take you to dinner or cocktails as well. “I love the classic cut of this suit and the gold buttons,” says fashion stylist Nicole Colovos. “The velvet fabric is luxurious but still lightweight and breathable while the high-waisted pant is slightly flared for a cool, sexy edge.” Wear this suit with a blouse, camisole or sleek bodysuit underneath and classic pumps.

Best Evening Women’s Business Suit

Zara: Sexy Draped Satin For Day And Night

Zara

Zara Satin Effect Blazer

Zara

Zara Satin Effect Pleated Pants

Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: Beige-pink | Material: Viscose

A satin-y suit is a great option if you’re looking to make a sleek style statement. “This isn’t an everyday look but it will help you stand out in the office,” says Meikle. “It’s dressy and feminine and strikes a nice balance between structured and slouchy, especially with the high-waisted, wide leg pant and subtle front seams.”

Best Women’s Jumpsuit

Apiece Apart: Effortless All-In-One

Apiece Apart

Apiece Apart Oso Mayor Pleated Linen-Twill Jumpsuit

Sizes: 0-8 | Colors: Beige | Material: Linen-twill

While not technically a suit, the jumpsuit is a hardworking style staple that belongs in every wardrobe. April Uchitel, founder of The Board agency and the former CEO of Violet Grey, swears by this one from Apiece Apart. “A jumpsuit is such an easy, wearable piece that helps you look instantly put-together,” she says. For a casual and work-from-home days, she likes this linen-twill blend in a timeless tan neutral color, paired with a dressy slide, loafer or sneaker.

What To Consider About The Best Suits For Women

Personal Style

First, consider your personal style, the setting and where you intend to wear the suit, says fashion stylist Sarah Meikle. Are you looking for something classic and timeless that will last? Do you want something practical that you can wear often and upgrade next season? Are you more traditional or do you prefer to dip into the current trends? Do you like something tailored and streamlined or do you feel more comfortable in loose-fitting, boxy styles? Are you a print, plain or bold colored type? Start by asking yourself these questions to narrow down your options.

Suit Styles

The best women’s suits come in all shapes, sizes, styles and cuts, so it’s important to understand the different silhouettes and how they work with your needs, says fashion stylist Martina Gordon. “For a more traditional or conservative approach, go for a black, navy or gray color, in a sharply-tailored, single-breasted suit. If you want something a little more effortless, look at boxy cuts, slouchy silhouettes, oversized blazers and wide leg pants.” A double-breasted jacket with large lapels also makes for a strong style statement. For a more casual, on-trend take, consider cropped or flared pants, short suits, bold colors, prints or, as Gordon says, “the failsafe jumpsuit.”

Fabric And Maintenance

Materials matter when choosing a suit and it’s important to take into account the season as well as the performance of the fabric. In cooler weather and for a luxurious longer-term investment (yes, this means you’ll pay more) go for a pure wool, textured plaid or silk suit that holds up extremely well—note these fabrics all require dry cleaning. For warmer days and a modern-casual look, linen and cotton are great options since they are more breathable and often come blended with elastane or polyester to give the suit a bit of stretch and comfort. As a bonus, these fabrics are usually machine washable.

Linen generally has a slightly crumpled appearance and 100 percent cotton is less structured. The same is true for crepe, but the good news it’s low maintenance in terms of wear and there’s zero ironing required. Polyester, meanwhile, is highly durable and wrinkle-resistant but it does absorb moisture, so consider the sweat factor and look for polyester blended with natural fabrics for a cooler option. Blazers with vents in the sides or backs also provide breathability, or mix things up and go for a sleeveless vest blazer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Women’s Suits

What’s the best suit for me?

This is where personal style and body shape come into play. “When buying a suit, the jacket fit is the most important part,” says fashion stylish Sarah Easley. “I like to avoid buying anything that needs alterations beyond sleeve length. Also, look for quiet but quality buttons that won’t compete with jewelry.” Finally, says Easley, make sure the jacket is not so specific that it cannot be worn alone over a dress or jeans. “I always choose single-breasted jacket, as it’s more classic and versatile” she says. If you are looking to streamline and lengthen your silhouette, go for sharply tailored, structured suits with a subtle shoulder pad, nipped-in waist, and long classic cut trousers to elongate your body. If you’re tall and want to create volume, slouchy, box cut and double-breasted blazers are the way to go. You can also experiment with high-waisted and cropped pants, oversized lapels and bulky pockets.

How much should I spend on a suit?

The short answer is there are no hard and fast rules. Suiting has evolved and relaxed so much in recent years that you don’t have to break the bank to buy a suit that will last. It’s better to consider the style of suit you want and the fabric. A fine wool or silk suit will always cost more but if you take good care of it, the suit will last for years. The good news is there are now affordable brands like Banana Republic making great, structured, tailored suits in high-quality wool.

How many suits do I need?

Again this depends on your work environment and how often you will wear a suit. If For a more traditional office, it’s a good idea to have two to three quality suits in classic cuts, colors (black, navy, and gray) and fabrics (wool for winter, cotton blends for summer). If the dress code is casual, you have more flexibility. Go for a classic tailored suit, a fun on-trend suit in a bold shade or pattern and separates that can be combined to create a suit (think blazer and pencil skirt, or a silk tee and trousers). The best part about separates is the versatility factor—you can always dress down a good blazer with jeans and sneakers.