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A woman in a suit exudes a certain power. Just consider the cultural impact of Gwyneth Paltrow wearing that red velvet Gucci suit by Tom Ford to the 1996 VMAs; the best suits for women exude a similar elegance. So, this festive season, if you’re tired of the same old party dresses, opt for impeccably-tailored separates instead.
While suits are inherently polished, they’re also just plain easy. Designed to match, you don’t have to bother styling the blazer with the right pair of trousers. That said, it would be prudent to invest in suits that include elements that stand alone – suits are no longer pigeonholed as workwear, so the blazer can be paired with a dress for a formal touch, or trousers can be dressed down with your favourite jumper. This makes the suit an ideal piece for a capsule wardrobe.
What makes a suit great depends on a number of factors: fabric, cut, construction, silhouette, details… Because of the nuance involved, investing in a suit from a brand known for tailoring is a wise choice. There’s also a number of suit styles to pick from – a classic style is perfect for the office, while a statement set will work wonders at a Christmas party or winter wedding.
We’ve curated an edit of the best suits for women that’ll make getting dressed a breeze this season.
Classic Suits
Nothing beats the classics, and a traditional blazer-trouser pairing works well for every occasion. An easy one-and-done option, a classic suit also lends itself to being styled separately. For immaculate tailoring, look to The Row – its minimal and timeless aesthetic is embodied in the boxy black wool-blend Schoolgirl blazer and the Igor pleated straight-leg trousers.
For a lighter, more feminine touch, Burberry’s camel wool-blend blazer is crafted with structuring double darts for a subtle hourglass shape, and looks great with the matching trousers or blue jeans. Pair with gold jewellery for a classic look. Ganni puts a twist on the classic suit with a grey iteration that is belted at the waist and features bead detailing on the trousers.
Three-piece suits
Channel your inner Diane Keaton in Annie Hall with a gorgeous three-piece suit. Forego pussy-bow blouses and fussy shirts and replace with a chic waistcoat under your tailored blazer. And, as trend cycles would have it, the waistcoat will pair brilliantly with some jeans or a maxi skirt for a stylish Gen Z look.
Remain Birger Christensen’s brown Majsa waistcoat is fitted with darts and a back buckle, and pairs beautifully with woven wide-leg trousers and a structured blazer with padded shoulders. Wear with loafers and slicked-back hair for a polished look. Or, look to cult-favourite label The Frankie Shop for a classic black Tencel and wool blend three-piece suit.
Colourful suits
While classic suits are usually associated with versatile neutrals, coloured renditions can be great statement pieces, or add a brilliant pop of colour to an outfit when worn separately. Veronica Beard’s sage green suit is crafted from a lightweight linen blend, which makes it a great option for summer weddings. Style with trainers for a casual take.
Gabriela Hearst’s uniquely feminine design aesthetic, on the other hand, offers a richer option. Crafted from a deep red silk-velvet blend, this tailored blazer and wide-leg trousers combination drapes around the body beautifully, while providing warmth for the colder months. Wear with high-heeled boots to cut a sexy silhouette.
Statement suits
If you’re not one to keep it simple with an LBD come party season, statement suits are a great option. Give Christmas tinsel a run for its money with Christopher John Rogers’ vibrant metallic brocade suit. Or, take a break from the pleated trousers with Balmain’s Navy-inspired bouclé suit that pairs a double-breasted green blazer embellished with gold-toned buttons with a pair of frayed matching shorts. Wear with knee-high winter boots for a stand-out look.
Skirt suits
Sure, suits for women borrow heavily from their male counterparts, making them slightly androgynous. But if your style is more feminine, why not opt for a skirt suit? Saint Laurent offers a great brown checked option that’ll work wonders with the right pair of loafers. For a more contemporary look, try Self-Portrait’s white skirt suit – it includes a cropped satin-trimmed bouclé-tweed blazer paired with a belted thigh-slit white skirt. Detailed with gold thread and crystal-embellished buttons, this one is also a great pick for brides.
Read more: The best knit dresses for a cosy winter
