Over the past few years, I’ve noticed that fewer women are wearing suits to work.  Whether it be on the Hill or elsewhere, fewer women are buying and wearing suits choosing cardigans and separates instead.  And given that fewer designers are selling suiting and that most of what you can find in the mid to lower price points is pretty basic, I can see why.

I think women want wear color, they want to express themselves, and suiting just doesn’t seem to allow as much room to be creative as separates do.  But that being said, there are just some professions that require a suit.  

This weekend, I headed over to Glover Park to help a junior partner at a local law firm spruce up her wardrobe.  She owned dozens of basic skirt and pant suits, but she was wearing them with boring solid colored blouses and snore-inducing button-ups.  So I combed her closet and found a beautiful watercolor printed blouse and a pair of coordinating purple flats that matched her khaki, charcoal and navy suits with ease.  

Was the look runway-worthy or life altering?  Of course not, but these two simple changes took her basic suit from boring to stylish.  And when you’re surrounded by bland, basic suiting, all you need is a little something extra to rise above the fray.

Below is a reasonable facsimile of the outfit that we created.  This is a look that is attainable, wearable and appropriate for any age range.  So please put away your boring white button-up and try something different.

Macey blouse, 230 GBP
Nouvelle jacket in super 120s – J.Crew, $230
Favorite-fit Super 120s Durham pant – J.Crew, $105
Smitten in Forest, $278
B. Makowsky ‘Ollie – Large’ Crossbody Satchel, $298