Does it make the cut? Tips for buying the appropriate fitting suit

Finding the perfect suit can be a challenge.  Finding the perfect FITTING suit can be even more challenging.  Here are some tips you can use when shopping alone for the perfect suit.

First Look -
First you see it on the hanger and if you don't love it, don't even bother trying it on!  

"Well, one thing I know about shopping is that if you don't absolutely love it in the store, you won't wear it.  The store is where you like it the best.  So before you choose something, think of yourself wearing it and to yourself: Is this me" - Leigh Anne Tuohy (The Blind Side)

So you like the suit enough that passed the "first look" now onto the dressing room.

I try to bring a pair of nylons and a camisole when I plan (key word, plan) on going suit shopping so I can have a better understanding of how the suit will look at the show.

I have a few requirement the meet in order to be a winner.  I am trying two sizes of the same Tahari suit. Here is the tag for reference.

Front Exam - 

* Must be able to move and bend over with the girls being exposed

*Pockets are a plus, but not a requirement for me

Pull your arms back to see how the jacket opens up

Next pull your arms in front of you to see how the jacket bunches and folds

 Bend over and look at yourself in the mirror to check the girls, too much = no bueno!

This size is tight fitting around my chest.  The one button is making the top portion open up more than I'd like and cause the girls to be shown too much.

A better fit in the larger size looked like this

This one did fit better.  However, I have NEVER been a fan of one button jackets/blazer.  I dislike them for me because the top porting always seems to bunch, rise and move too much making the top half of me look like all boobs.  There doesn't seem to be enough control when I'm stacking dogs and especially while grooming dogs in a one button jacket/blazer.  Perhaps you're different.

Rear Examination - 

* Must be loose enough so I can move and run in it.

Jump up and down and do the twist (but don't shout) then look at your skirt WITHOUT the jacket on in the mirror

This skirt is WAY to tight.  It bunches over my butt in the back and across my hips in the front.  We're not trying to make the skirt's seams scream for help! 

A proper fitting skirt should be able to go back to it's original place on your body after jumping up and down and doing the twist, like this.

See, there is no bunching in the front or in the back.

Also, bend over in front of the mirror to check how the kick pleat looks from behind

Movement - 

To test the movement of the suit you can run up and down the aisle of the dressing room.  People may think you're weird, but I rather look weird to strangers than have people I know talking poorly about my skirt being too short or I'm running weird today.

You can also, see how far a stride you can take in the skirt by stepping into a light lunge while looking at the mirror.

If the suit passes the First Look, Front Examination, Rear Examination and Movement looks like you've got a winner!  I will do this same Exam with various suits from different designers.  Maybe I can get others to help me with this project too!



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