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How to Wear a Suit: Seven Ways to Style Matching Separates for Every Aspect of Your Life
These power outfits range from business-formal to ready-to-party.
A suit is the sartorial symbol of power, professionalism, and poise. There’s nothing quite like that sleek look and room-commanding confidence you get from structured separates that are tailored to perfection—when the shoulders fit without being too tight, and the darts and seams line up in all the right places. But have you ever truly appreciated how fundamentally easy suits are?
Along with dresses and jumpsuits, matching separates make for some of the easiest outfits around. All you have to do is select a coordinating set according to your preferred formality, pick a complementary top to wear underneath, and you’re off to the races—or the office, or wherever. Ready to achieve maximum style with minimal effort? Scroll to see seven suit sets—and how you can wear them for every aspect of your life.
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How to Wear a Suit
Tip #1: Invest in a Perfect Fit
Women’s suits are all about meticulous tailoring, so there’s no point in wearing one that doesn’t fit your body. Don’t settle for anything less than impeccable. If you’d like some expert help, book an appointment with a stylist this September to find your fit and learn about creative ways you can wear suiting separates. If you visit us on Saturdays, you’ll receive complimentary alterations on any suit purchased throughout the month. Plus, when you purchase a suit in a store or styling appointment today through September 30, you can also pick out a complimentary underpinning from a curated selection of tops.
Tip #2: Look for High-Quality Fabric
Similarly, a suit made from poor-quality material is a non-starter. Even the best tailor can’t fix fabric that’s flimsy or non-functional. First, get your priorities straight: Do you want something that’s lightweight, machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant, or all of the above? Then, head to our suit shop, and identify the fabric groups that will work best for you.
Tip #3: Take Notes from Menswear
While you may not be planning on wearing a tie anytime soon, you should stock your closet with several iterations of the menswear-inspired essentials, like a suit jacket, a tailored trouser, and a dress shirt. If you want to add personality to your business suits, incorporate an unexpected accessory like a colorful pocket square.
Seven Suit Outfits for Women
Outfit #1
The Traditional Suit
Let’s start with the obvious: Suits are the ultimate business-formal attire. If your workplace leans traditional, we recommend investing in darker suits first and building your collection from there. Of course, you can’t go wrong with black suits, but navy is another must-have color—acting as a slightly softer, equally timeless alternative. The Yiyan blazer and Horton pant pair to create a quintessentially classic, fitted suit that works on a wide range of heights, thanks to generous hem allowance on the trousers. If you need to get them tailored, a good rule of thumb is to make sure the hem hits the top of your shoe. Complete your look with a silk blouse like the Darcy top or a crisp button-down like the Mila, turning up your shirt cuffs and fastening the top button on your shirt collar for extra drama. Leather pumps and pearl earrings finish off the look.
Outfit #2
The Power Casual Pair
With our Power Casual styling philosophy, we combine elevated pieces with more casual styles, resulting in the clothing equivalent of work-life balance. For a polished, practical look that can take you from a business-casual workplace to an action-packed weekend, pair stretchy ponte separates, like the collarless Janette jacket and kick-flare Allyn pant, with a pima cotton T-shirt and an on-trend chain-link necklace. Our pointed-toe Rowan flats are quite comfy, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll swap them for leather sneakers come Friday afternoon.
Outfit #3
The Off-Duty Uniform
Sick of defaulting to sweats on the weekend? Step it up while still maintaining a super-relaxed silhouette with our two brand-new Better Than Denim styles: the Grenville, a single-button jacket, and the Abby, a cropped wide-leg jean. Featuring a contrasting white top-stitch, these matching separates are undeniably cool and effortlessly sharp—just the thing to slip on when you need some extra motivation to leave the house on Saturday morning. Finish off your day-on-the-town ensemble with an elegant turtleneck tee, leather loafers, and go-to hoops that match your belt buckle.
Outfit #4
The Date-Night Duo
Now that we’ve established that suiting can be so much more than office wear, there’s no stopping it. Next time you nab a dinner reservation, why not take your subtly sexy set for a spin? Try pairing the slightly cropped Jolie jardigan with the high-waisted, figure-hugging Harlem skirt—both of which come in our brand-new, moody chocolatey hue. To zhush up this stretchy set, layer the cat-print Lisey cami underneath, slip on the low-heeled Zelda boots, and add the gold Karis earrings for an eye-catching embellishment.
Outfit #5
The Jet Set
Wearing a suit might not be your first choice when flying, but let me tell you: Our buttery, lightweight, made-for-travel OrigamiTech fabric is just as nap-friendly as it is conference-approved. My favorite Power Travel set right now? The classically tailored Moreland jacket plus the brand-new Elena culottes—both of which marry refined cuts with OrigamiTech’s wrinkle-resistance and machine-washability. These functional features let you say bon voyage to frantically changing after your flight, while a breathable top and comfortable sneakers allow you to sprint to the other end of the airport when they inexplicably change your gate.
Outfit #6
The OOO Combo
When you’re on the go and out of your element, clothing can help you fool yourself into feeling a tad more put-together. Unless you’ll be lazing on the beach for the entirety of your vacation, we encourage you to pack a handful of pieces that are equal parts relaxed and refined. As you stroll the streets of a new city, don a leisurely set like the Everyday Twill Hyo jacket and Shane pants. The Hyo features an easy fit and deep pockets for all your travel essentials, while the Shane pants have an adjustable drawstring waist and a tapered leg that goes with sneakers—or virtually any other type of shoe. If you want to get extra adventurous, go with a vibrant top like the wrinkle-resistant Nora in iris.
Outfit #7
The Special-Occasion Separates
You scored a party invite, and the dress code is “cocktail.” Instead of wearing a dress, try putting one of your favorite suits, like the Yiyan blazer and straight-leg Smith pant, to good use—a choice that’s both economical and unexpected. To get your set party-ready, pair it with the lustrous silk Vicky tank, elegant metallic heels, and statement earrings. When it’s time to hit the dance floor, lose the jacket and don’t be afraid to break a sweat—the Vicky is machine-washable.
