Last Friday I had a hearing, which means I had to wear a suit and was unable to avail myself of the rights, privileges and benefits attached to Casual Friday.
I have five proper suits (i.e., a jacket and matching pants or dress) which range from workmanlike to slightly dashing (only slightly) and when I have a court appearance, I select the suit that is most fitting for the occasion based on the nature of the appearance, my role in the appearance, the judge, and the geographical location of the court. (Yes, the West Coast is a little less formal than the East Coast.)
Here’s what I wore last Friday: a slightly dashing but very serious suit.
This suit is Hugo Boss but was purchased on Rue La La. It’s made of fine wool gabardine and beautifully cut. It’s traditional — up to a point — but interesting, feminine, and direct. It’s a very no-nonsense suit.
I prefer dresses to skirts, so when I do buy a “skirt suit” I actually look for a jacket and matching dress. You may be thinking “Directrice, that dress and jacket don’t match. The dress is solid and the jacket is pinstriped.” Very true! But they were sold together as a suit by knowing Italians (Hugo Boss) and therefore I consider them a suit rather than separates.
Putting aside that questionable logic, the genius of the dress is that it simplifies getting dressed (no need to find a harmonizing blouse or sweater) and can be worn on its own.
And I am making a rare appearance in heels, too. My precious kitten heels must be preserved for the remainder of my working years because no one seems to make true kitten heels anymore. I thought Michele Obama’s fondness for kitten heels would mean Kitten Heels for All, but that hasn’t happened.
I usually don’t wear jewelry to court. Don’t want to seem flashy. I wear a watch and depending on the court, I have occasionally worn this little brooch, which works well with the necklines of the dress and jacket.
This post may not the most instructive I’ve written, as it is essentially pictures of me wearing an old suit, but I did want to offer photographic proof of the fact that I do own a suit and occasionally wear it for those who’ve been wondering.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Suit: Hugo Boss; Shoes: Kate Spade: Brooch: Alexis Bittar; Bag: Coach Gramercy Satchel
Beautiful suit. You look awesome–elegant minimalist look. Most appropriate for court. Thank you for sharing.
Beauitful suit – and also hair and make-up, btw. Very serious for court without being frumpy — no small feat! Love the back details on that jacket. In my practice I am thankful I pretty much never go to court, but realizing there are enough Bar Association events and the like I really need to do an upgrade on my suits, many of which are looking pretty dated. You’re making me think a lot more about pin stripes.
Love the idea of a dress+jacket = suit. I will follow… suit. 🙂
It all works together well and would be seen as competent, confident and make the statement that you are ready. It is, quite apart from career dressing, a good look for events adding pearls. Navy is a great color for you, by the way. Kate
Directrice – Stunning.
I love it! I love suits but in my present job, I don’t have much need for them. I have a navy pinstripe and a solid black, and they don’t get a lot of play. I wear a blazer or jacket most days, and a sweater on a few days. Navy does look good on you! To refer back to some recent posts, I used to have a midnight navy tropical wool skirt suit that I wore with a cream silk shell and a wide black patent belt and black patent pumps. I always felt terrific in that outfit! So patent is year round and black works with navy. And you can never go wrong with pearls! Love your style! This blog has shown me how you can dress conservatively but still show your own personal style.
Oh! I forgot! Are you wearing hose in these pictures? What are your thoughts on hosiery?
Hi Julia — I am wearing hose. I am pretty old school in this regard, but I feel like hose is the right thing for certain professional occasions; court is one of them. Church is another — if I am entering as a congregant, which is very rare. (I do seem to visit a lot of cathedrals when vacationing . . .) But this is the first post (in almost 100 posts) in which I am wearing hose, although there are many of me wearing dresses with bare legs. (Correction: In cold weather I wear hose or tights with dresses and boots, but that’s for comfort and warmth; they don’t actually show.) Thank you so much — all of you above — for visiting and commenting. I tremendously appreciate the feedback and your praise, of course, delights me.
Great suit! I especially love the flower brooch with the pinstripes. An excellent combination. I would want to hear your submissions, rather than any opponent’s, if I were your judge.
I love your suit. It is beautifully cut and also a little bit unusual. You look lovely in it.
I found your blog thru Syliva from 40+ Style. I am also a 40++ fashion blogger. You have great work looks and style, nice blog and posts. I love sheath dresses with a cardigan for work http://highlatitudestyle.com/2015/08/28/best-outfits-of-summer/ I also want to invite you to join my weekly Top of the World Style fashion linkup party http://highlatitudestyle.com/2015/08/27/dress-over-pants-linkup/
Thank you, Nicole!
Oh man. LOVE this suit! As a fledgling doctor interviewing for residency/my first Grown-Up Job, I needed a suit or two and desperately wanted something that was appropriately conservative but still had some interesting flair. I settled for a pair of high-quality suits bought second hand and tailored to a perfect fit, and let my indebted student’s sensibilities win out over my fashion aspirations, but man oh man, this dashing suit here is amazing and it’s nice to know that what I was pining for does exist somewhere.
Thank you, Katie. Sounds like you actually made a very good call on your interview suits — and be assured that your spirit-suit is out there and you will be together at some point in the future. Best of luck with your interviews and residency!
Frequenting thrift shops as I do, I’m always on the look out for good quality suits, but I don’t expect I’ll ever cross paths with something as beautiful as this. Realistically though, while I may be dressing for my own level of authority, I do not have need to exert the level required by your career. Another show-stopper.