15 Women’s Suits for an Empowering Fashion Moment
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The Commando Neoprene CEO Blazer and 7/8 CEO Trouser are all-around the best
Byrdie / Kristin Kempa
We don’t know exactly when it happened, but if you look around, you shall see that suits have transcended workwear and become one of the most empowering articles of clothing in our closets. And it’s easy to see how: You can easily dress them up or down, and they can almost always add a bit of polish to your look—making them a go-to for an afternoon of errands, dinner with friends, or a presentation at the office. (After all, it pairs well with so many accessories, from menswear-inspired loafers to chunky sneakers.)
The Commando Neoprene CEO Blazer and 7/8 CEO Trouser are the best you could buy overall because, while it has the look of a classic women’s suit, it’s as stretchy and easy to care for as your favorite loungewear outfit. However, you can’t go wrong with Vince Camuto’s more affordable iteration; the Nina Notched Collar Blazer and Wide Leg Pants are simple yet polished.
Suits for women have a pretty welcome range that includes everything from sleek pinstripe pieces to linen ones in warm and cheery colors. Even so, finding a strong option for yourself can prove challenging, which is why we handpicked the best women’s suits in 15 categories based on hours of internet research. We also tapped suit label Argent’s founder and SEO Sali Christeson and celebrity stylist Olivia Rose for things to keep in mind when shopping, advice on how to style them, and more.
Commando Neoprene CEO Blazer
Best Overall
The Commando Neoprene CEO Blazer and matching 7/8 CEO Trouser are the best you could buy overall because, while it has the look of a classic women’s suit, it’s as stretchy and easy to care for as your favorite loungewear outfit. It’s made from a stretchy nylon neoprene that’s machine-washable, but in terms of shape, the getup boasts a one-button blazer and a sleek and flattering high-rise pant with a tapered leg. Wear it with minimalist basics like a turtleneck or a T-shirt. Finish the look with a pair of pumps.
Price at time of publish: $298 (blazer) and $278 (pants)
Material: 87% nylon, 13% elastane | Size Range: XS–XL | Care: Machine wash on cold, tumble dry
Vince Camuto Nina Notched Collar Blazer
Best Budget
You can’t go wrong with a classic women’s suit, and Vince Camuto makes a great affordable option. The Nina Notched Collar Blazer and Wide Leg Pants are simple yet polished. The blazer is a one-button style with classic pocket flaps. While the blazer should be dry cleaned, the pants can be washed in the machine and tumble dried, so you can get tons of wear again and again without having to worry about professional cleaning.
Price at time of publish: $129 (blazer) and $79 (pants)
Material: 63% polyester, 33% viscose, 4% elastane | Size Range: 00–14 | Care: Dry clean (blazer), machine wash, tumble dry (pants)
Reformation Noah Two Piece
Best Short-Sleeve
For a zingy, summer-friendly spin on classic suiting, go short-sleeved in this printed set by Reformation. It features a cropped and short-sleeve top and wide-leg pants in two retro prints. On top of that, the pants are ultra-cool with a wide-leg silhouette and relaxed fit. Wear it when you want to be casual and comfortable but still look put together.
Price at time of publish: $248
Material: 53% viscose, 47% rayon | Size Range: 0–12 | Care: Dry clean only
Banana Republic Lido Sculpted Wool Blazer
Best Color Options
Banana Republic’s Lido Sculpted Wool Blazer and Straight Wool Pant come in such a wide range of fabric options, from bright pink to brown plaid. The pieces also come in regular, petite, and tall sizes up to size 20, so you can find a suit that fits you like a glove and makes you feel the most empowered.
Price at time of publish: $230 (blazer) and $150 (pants)
Material: 100% virgin wool shell; 55% polyester, 45% viscose-rayon | Size Range: 0–20 plus tall and petite sizing | Care: Dry clean
PAIGE Londyn Blazer
Best Wide-Leg
A boxy suiting option like this one from PAIGE boasts a borrowed-from-the-boys look. The blazer is a double-breasted silhouette with a relaxed fit while Avedon Plaid Wide Leg Trousers are pleated to highlight the hips. The whole look reminds us of a vintage suit from the 1970s, but it’s still modern enough to wear as separates. Pair the blazer with jeans and a silk camisole and the pants with a classic turtleneck sweater.
Price at time of publish: $349 (blazer) and $249 (pants)
Material: 63% polyester, 33% viscose, 4% elastane | Size Range: 00–12 (pants), XS-XL (blazer) | Care: Dry clean
Alice + Olivia Macey Vegan Leather Shawl Collar Blazer
Best With Skirt
The fun thing about women’s suits is there is so much versatility when it comes to bottoms. If you want to swap your typical uniform for something more femme, the Alice + Olivia Macey Vegan Leather Shawl Collar Blazer and matching mini skirt is an excellent choice. Instead of a straight, pencil shape, this skirt suit is inspired by prep school and offers a short, pleated skirt style. Both items can also be worn separately in the spirit of mixing and matching or together for a streamlined look.
Price at time of publish: $440 (blazer) and $250 (skirt)
Material: 100% polyester (blazer) and 100% polyurethane (skirt) | Size Range: 0–14 | Care: Dry clean
Good American Better Than Leather Blazer
Best Faux Leather
There’s something about the buttery texture of leather—vegan options, specifically—that makes any ensemble seem somehow cooler and bolder than outfits without it. If those are your main objectives when getting dressed, and you’re itching to find a suit to fit that mold, then Good American’s Better Than Leather Blazer and Icon Pants are for you. In addition to its animal-friendly sourcing, the suit is a spectacular choice for its fit and size range, which goes all the way up to 26.
Price at time of publish: $195 (blazer) and $180 (pants)
Material: 100% polyurethane | Size Range: XS–XL (blazer) and 00–26 (pants) | Care: Dry clean or handwash, line dry
Sleeper Dynasty Linen Blazer Jacket
Best Lapels
There are many ways to add detail to a suit. However, the lapels aren’t often utilized for this. If you’re on the hunt for a suit that has super-cool lapels, the Sleeper Dynasty Linen Blazer Jacket and Dynasty Linen Shorts are it. The lightweight and summery women’s suit features sweet scalloped lapels on its blazer and shorts instead of pants to help keep your legs cool. If shorts aren’t a part of your suit style, the brand makes matching Dynasty Linen Pants, too.
Price at time of publish: $290 (blazer) and $140 (shorts)
Material: Linen | Size Range: XS–XL | Care: Dry clean or machine wash on cold on a delicate cycle, do not tumble dry
Argent Supermajority Blazer
Best Pink
Argent recently dropped this hot pink Supermajority Blazer and matching trouser, and we haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Barbiecore pantsuit is made from a wool blend material that naturally controls body temperature, so you can wear it year-round. We love it because, in addition to its color and fabric, it has a fantastic tailored fit and a subtle “voting suits you” message stitched on the inside.
Price at time of publish: $295 (blazer) and $195 (pants)
Material: 98% virgin wool, 2% elastane | Size Range: 0–24 | Care: Dry clean
J.Crew Willa Blazer
Best Camel
No brand does camel like J.Crew. The Willa Blazer and Cropped Flare Pant is the perfect example of that, and it’s sure to be your go-to suit for spring to boot, in the same way that a trench coat is a staple in the outerwear category for the season. Design-wise, too, we love the set for its slightly boxy blazer shape and high-rise cropped flare trousers. Pair it with dainty metallic pumps or polished loafers.
Price at time of publish: $288 (blazer) and $198 (pants)
Material: 55% polyester, 44% wool, 1% elastane | Size Range: 000–24 plus petite and tall sizing (blazer), 00-16 (pants) | Care: Dry clean
Lauren Ralph Lauren Pinstriped Blazer
Best Pinstripe
A pinstripe blazer and pants are such a classic combo. We love that this one from Lauren Ralph Lauren is visually softer than the average black pinstripe jacket and pants. Even so, if the look is still too big a statement, we recommend mixing and matching the pieces to suit all of your styling needs. We can perhaps most effortlessly picture the matching straight-leg pants with a white tank top and sandals in the summer.
Price at time of publish: $295 (blazer) and $195 (pants)
Material: 55% merino wool, 43% polyester, 2% elastane | Size Range: 0–18 | Care: Dry clean
Amanda Uprichard Sawyer Blazer
Best Plaid
This vibrant skirt and blazer set is giving Clueless vibes. The bright pink plaid design, padded shoulders, pleated skort, and splashes of yellow all remind us of the ‘90s, and we don’t doubt that this set would be Cher-approved.
Price at time of publish: $273 (blazer) and $185 (skort)
Material: Cotton blend | Size Range: XS–L (blazer and skort) | Care: Dry clean (blazer), machine wash (skort)
Djerf Avenue Forever Blazer
Best Gray
The name of Djerf Avenue’s blazer is fitting—it will be a forever staple in your wardrobe. It has a naturally oversized fit, so if you enjoy your blazers a tad loose, stick with your typical size for this piece. We love that the blazer matches perfectly with their Favorite Pants and that they're both made from recycled polyester.
Price at time of publish: $179 (blazer) and $134 (pants)
Material: 74% recycled polyester, 21% viscose, 5% elastane | Size Range: XXS–3XL plus tall sizing for the pants | Care: Dry clean (blazer) and machine wash (pants)
The Frankie Shop Bea Blazer in Latte
Best Oversized
Throw this boxy blazer over anything and look instantly chic. In the summer, you can wear the highly boxy blazer with jeans, a T-shirt, and loafers, and in the winter, wear the whole look, i.e., the blazer and these matching pants, with a simple black shirt. The suit also comes in other neutral colors, like gray and black, so you can collect them all and wear them as a part of your new uniform.
Price at time of publish: $345 (blazer) and $229 (pants)
Material: 96% polyester, 4% elastane | Size Range: XS–L | Care: Dry clean
M.M.LaFleur The Nia Jacket
Best Travel-Friendly
You can technically mix and match anything in M.M.LaFleur’s OrigamiTech line, but we love the play of proportions in this semi-cropped blazer and Colby Pant. The blazer is slightly cropped with a side-by-side button construction, while the pants have a slim, cigarette fit. Both are practical enough for travel. The pants, for example, feature an elastic waistband to maximize comfort. And the wrinkle-resistant fabric used for both means you can look polished in a pinch.
Price at time of publish: $325 (blazer) and $225 (pants)
Material: 90% polyester, 10% polyurethane (blazer), 100% polyester | Size Range: XS–XXL (blazer), 0P–18 (pants) | Care: Machine wash cold; dry clean optional
Final Verdict
We believe that the Commando Neoprene CEO Blazer and 7/8 CEO Trouser are the best combo that you could buy overall because, while it has the look of a classic women’s suit, it’s as stretchy and easy to care for as your favorite loungewear outfit. You can’t go wrong with Vince Camuto’s more affordable iteration; the Nina Notched Collar Blazer and Wide Leg Pants are simple yet polished. However, we would pay special attention to the reviews for sizing and perhaps order a couple of options to find the best possible fit.
What to Look for in Women's Suits
Fabric
“Fabrication is one of the most important things when picking out a suit,” Christeson explains. In general, suits with a little bit of stretch will not only fit better but be most comfortable, especially in work and office environments when you spend more time sitting at a desk. She recommends a wool blend with stretch or durable cotton (though the latter tends to wrinkle). However, the best material for your suit will depend on your intended use and, well, budget for dry cleaning, as the care instructions for many suits on this list—and the market in general—say “dry clean only.”
Colors and patterns
Black is always a staple. Then, as far as traditional neutrals, there’s also navy, gray, and camel. However, suits come in all sorts of colors and patterns—and Christeson says not to be afraid to experiment. “Choose a color that’ll be a staple in your closet versus a more traditional color,” she explains. “If you don’t wear a lot of black daily, choose another neutral like olive that’s just as versatile.” Meanwhile, if you’re looking to branch out from the basics, why not go for a more vivid hue, like magenta or cobalt? But if you’d rather not experiment even with alternative neutral colors, then opt for a pattern like a pinstripe to change things up a bit.
Design and fit
According to Rose, fit is key when you’re shopping for a suit, regardless of its price point. “I tend to make sure the pants fit well in the waist and hips and that the shoulders of the blazer hit slightly further than the natural shoulder,” she tells Byrdie. Something too oversized, she points out, may not be the most timeless. And, most suits don’t fit perfectly off the rack, so it’s worth visiting your local tailor to help make adjustments, she points out. Design-wise, Rose suggests looking for a high-waisted suit because its elongated silhouette flatters a lot of body types. And in general, her favorite items for a statement look include a single-breasted blazer with strong shoulders and peak lapels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shoes do you wear with suits?
<p>“The beauty of wearing a pantsuit is the different ways you can deconstruct and style it to fit your personality and what you have planned for the day,” says Christeson. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to sacrifice style for comfort. She recommends styling suits with anything from sneakers for a “low profile that’s polished but also [timelessly] cool”—to a pair of chunky loafers or ballerina flats. You can also stick to tradition and style them with a classic pump or glossy dress shoe, like a patent leather Mary Jane.</p>
How do you find the right fit for a suit?
<p>When shopping for a pantsuit, Christeson says it’s important to consider your personal fit preferences. “If you favor a more relaxed fit for jackets and tops, I recommend going up a size or two in a blazer to ensure you have extra room for layering. Pair [it] with a wide-leg trouser,” she says. For a more tailored look, she suggests sticking to your typical size and looking for suits constructed from stretch wool “which will move with you and never be constricting.” </p>
How do you dress up a suit set?
<p>“An easy way to dress up a pantsuit is to choose a luxurious silk blouse in the same color family as your suit for a fashion-forward monochrome look,” Christeson says. For accessories, she would layer gold necklaces or your favorite pair of earrings. And for shoes, a pair of pointed-toe flats or pumps would be best. </p>
Why Trust Byrdie
Jessie Quinn has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Journalism from the Academy of Art University. When researching the best women’s suits, she used her fashion experience and research, including conversations with experts, to parse through the nuances of what makes a great women’s suit.
Madison San Miguel is a fashion commerce contributor at Dotdash Meredith, covering everything from the latest style trends to the best Amazon finds. Aside from Byrdie, her work can be found in InStyle, Bustle, Elite Daily, Brides, Travel + Leisure, V Magazine, and more.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough suit sets from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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