There are a few things I wish someone had told me when I started college:
- “Don’t get Netflix.”
- “You’ll regret eating pizza every day.”
- “Buy a black suit. ASAP.”
The first time I needed a suit was in my freshman year, and then again during my sophomore/junior hybrid middle years. Without a doubt, I will need a suit again when I’m a senior.
Since you are way smarter than me and obviously already own 50 black suits, let’s talk about how you can wear them. You bought one, so don’t let it waste away in that mess you call a closet! Here are three ways to style a black suit:
1. The Career Fair
Is that a secret agent? A young CEO? Nope, just a student going to a career fair. This is the standard formal wear: a basic neutral blouse, a black blazer and pants, and black pumps or flats.
This outfit is modest, non-offensive, and says “I-let-my-resumé-speak-for-me.”
2. Business Casual
Dear girl at an event earlier this week,
Business casual does not mean running shorts and a sorority pocket t-shirt.
Sincerely,
The Business Casual Fairy
Here, I wore my black suit pants with gold zippers, along with this burgundy blouse with a bow, and comfy black ballet flats. Unlike formal/interview business wear, business casual lets your personality show.
Adding color, accessories, and comfy shoes is perfectly acceptable, as long as the overall look is clean, crisp, and modest.
3. Who Says You Can’t Look Smart Every Day?
Blazers can make everyday outfits look smarter and more put-together. I am totally smitten with blazers that have roll-up sleeves and elbow patches (anyone know where to find an inexpensive one?).
The rest of my outfit is casual and comfortable. I have on dark skinny jeans and the soft gray peplum top from my March Favorites article. Since this outfit was begging for some color to match the beautiful flowers outside, I added flirty floral wedges.
I have major respect for people who can pull off blazers in class and make them look young and flattering. Suits don’t have to be stuffy, and I think this outfit proves it!
Your turn!
Do you own a black suit? What’s your go-to business casual outfit? Which of these looks is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below how you style your black suit.
Great post! I love the outfits. Do you have any ideas on where to buy a nice, relatively inexpensive black suit?
I love those suit pants with the zippers! It’s unique and cool while still looking professional.
Also really digging the last outfit, especially the pattern on those wedges!
Keep up the good work! I always look forward to your articles. They’re an awesome mix of cute and funny. Cause who doesn’t love a little humor? lame-o’s, that’s who!
Nice post, but as someone who works with pre-service teachers, I’d like to offer a little advice: it is better to be too conservative than too trendy.
I like the first outfit a lot, but I would be careful with the sheer blouse. I know that there is a black tank underneath, but it is still sheer. In a school, that would not be allowed.
If you attend a career fair, and you are wearing a dress or a skirt, please put on pantyhose and a slip. Trust me- recruiters talk and you are being judged by your appearance. You don’t want to be known as that girl.
Finally, when you do land that internship, it is never okay for your bra straps or your stomach to show. Ever.
Holly, I love the H&M one I’m wearing. I was in a time crunch at the time, and this one was perfect for my petite frame and budget. I also have one from Express, and readers have suggested the Limited as well. Good luck on your suit hunt!
Thanks Lauren! I didn’t know what that term meant until I saw an article on Blair Waldorf’s style the other day, haha. I love them too! Those are great suggestions for suit shopping.
Thanks Gerry! Zippers for life!
Vicki, thanks for the awesome advice. I couldn’t agree more. Also, at the career fairs I went to, many people wore super tight, poor fitting clothing. Definitely not a look you want to go for at a professional event!
Something to consider – black suits are actually not traditionally considered the most classic suit color in many places. If I only had one suit, I would go with a charcoal, grey or navy. It’s actually seen as more appropriate for an interview. Black separates though, are perfect.
I adore your pussy bow blouse… I recently bought a cream colored one and am in love.
I have a charcoal suit, and although you look adorable, I personally prefer either a pencil skirt or a fuller pant for suits (probably just because I’m short and a size 12, so I think that flatters me more in regards to business wear)
ALSO, in regards to the blazer question, I’m almost POSITIVE I saw some roll up sleeve blazers at Target last week in white, navy, and coral? that were like $25 or so. (And, if you have a JCPenny around, they have a lot of business attire clothes, and it would be a good place for a “starter suit”)
Hi Leah!
Can you please let me know where you got those business casual pants? I love the zipper detail!!
Also, great response to Vicki. She came off quite pretentious and mean, and I give you major respect for such a mature answer 🙂
Thank you!
If you don’t mind the question, how much did that beautiful pussybow blouse from look #2 cost?
Melissa, thank you, I didn’t know that! I love charcoal and grays.
Kelsey, I’ll have to look there. A cream top with a charcoal suit sounds like a winning combination.
Melissa, I love the zippers, too. They are from H&M and were super affordable. Although I don’t view her comment as negative, it’s easy to misinterpret comments, just like text messages. As long as it’s feedback and not just spam or strange insults I don’t mind. I consider myself fortunate I’ve had mostly really nice, encouraging comments like yours! 🙂
Hi Kathleen! I’m not entirely sure, but it was Forever 21 so I’m almost positive it was under $20 🙂 Hope that helps!
I second Vicki and Melissa’s advice – as someone who’s been in the post grad interview world, I’ve seen a lot of girls wanting to look trendy rather than classic and clean. At a professional event last month, I saw a girl wearing a blazer with a bandage skirt from Forever 21 – maybe cute for going out, but not meeting potential employers! Also, finding a good tailor for suits is a great investment. I’ve found that most off the rack don’t fit perfectly, and spending a little bit more to make sure you look completely polished really makes a difference.
As a sidenote, it would be nice to see constructive criticism or additional input from others better accepted. There was nothing about Vicki’s comment that was pretentious or meant she was having a bad day – she was posting what she has experienced in her field and should not be attacked for that. As a reader who usually loves CF articles and the extra commentary in the comments, it’s sad to see others being negative because someone is trying to add to the discussion.
Sam, I couldn’t agree more. Definitely cute for going out, but not for professional networking.
On your side note, like I said, we accept almost all comments (we do get irrelevant, spam ones) and nearly all CF comments are positive and constructive. I sincerely hope no one ever feels attacked in anyway on this website! In my experience as a writer (and reader before that), CF has been a great place for comments and creating dialogue with readers. Sorry if you’ve had a different experience!
LOVE this article!!
Two questions: I have difficulty finding chic black suit pants like yours here. I can only find wide-legged ones. Where did you get yours?
Also, in regards to outfit three, do you think it’s okay to wear dark jeans with a black blazer? I always feel like I’m clashing navy and black.