Best Suits For Women 2024

The best suits for women straddle the line between work and play, with a look that’s chic but not stuffy. No one wants to head to the office—or anywhere else, for that matter—in an uncomfortable suit, especially if you have long days that involve meetings, travel or handling unexpected events that come up. Here, we have recommendations that keep you polished and put-together but in a modern way.

timeless styles that run the gamut from business-casual to formal.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers

Why trust our advice? At Forbes Vetted, we put a lot of thought and attention into reviewing workwear. As editors who have logged time both remotely and in-person at the office, we know the value of finding that perfectly-fitting suit. And the beauty of a suit is that you can wear the pieces separately, mixing and matching them with jeans or skirts to expand your wardrobe. Ahead, you’ll find our top suggestions for the best suits for women, depending on your style, budget and work situation.

Sizes: 000 to 24 | Colors: 5 total, including Heather Graphite and Festival Pink | Materials: Poly, viscose, elastane

J. Crew’s bestselling suit is versatile, chic and easy on the wallet. The tailored Cameron Pant has clean lines and the Regent Blazer has a snug fit that subtly nips in at the waist for a streamlined effect. With a crisp blouse or button-down underneath, the look is pulled together and modern. To take things down a notch, you can pair the blazer with jeans and sneakers for a relaxed take on office-wear.

What the reviews say: “Love this piece. You can wear it casual with jeans and dress it up with the matching pants. The fabric is excellent quality. Definitely purchasing more.”

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Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 3 total, including Navy and Black | Materials: 67% rayon, 28% nylon, 5% spandex

For those who want to refresh their work wardrobe on a budget, you really can’t do better than Quince’s wallet-friendly (yet high-quality) selections. Pair this stretchy ponte blazer with the matching ankle-length pants for a put-together look that’s around $110. In lieu of buttons, the blazer utilizes a subtle hook-and-eye closure to draw itself in at the waist.

What the reviews say: “It’s perfect. Comfortable fabric with stretch, very updated fit with no bulky shoulder pads. It’s very flattering. I’m ordering another. It looks great with the matching pants and dress. Perfect for developing a capsule wardrobe.”

Sizes: 23 to 37 | Colors: 18 total, including Black and Navy | Materials: 80% polyester, 16% viscose, 4% elastane

Far from its moose-emblazoned T-shirts of decades past, Abercrombie & Fitch has refocused its offerings to include sophisticated workwear that feels current. Its classic, slightly oversized blazer combines effortlessly with the drapey, high-waisted Sloane pant, resulting in an office-ready look that’s as comfy as it is stylish.

What the reviews say: “A closet staple. I have these pants in black and brown and love pairing them with a tee and sneakers or a crop top with heels and a blazer. The material is soft and airy.”

Sizes: 00 to 18 | Colors: 3 total, including Camel and Black | Materials: 95% wool, 5% elastane

Some days call for a blouse and trousers, while others call for a sleek, professional dress. If it’s the latter you’re after, consider this sophisticated sheath from M.M.LaFleur. With a smart boat neckline and belted waist, the Cynthia is elegant and flattering. Toss the tailored Yiyan blazer over your shoulders when the office gets a little chilly.

What the reviews say: “I love this dress. It’s very professional, and comfortable. I am a bigger, curvy woman, and I feel very confident in this. Get the Neale jacket with it for the modern but conservative suit look.”

Reformation

Reformation Classic Relaxed Blazer

Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 8 total, including Pear and Chocolate Plaid | Materials: 100% Tencell lyocell

If you’re looking to take advantage of your office’s business-casual dress code, Reformation’s relaxed blazer is a great place to start. Made of soft, slinky lyocell, the slightly slouchy jacket features a notched lapel and a single button closure. Pair it with the high-waisted Mason pant for a laidback look that still makes an impact.

Theory

Good Wool Etiennette Blazer

Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 8 total, including Black and Malbec | Materials: 96% wool, 4% elastane

Important meetings and business trips call for a more formal power suit like this suit from Theory. Both the structured Etienne Blazer and tailored Treeca Pant are made from the brand’s signature Good Wool, which is ethically sourced from Tasmania. Keep in mind, however, that these pieces are dry-clean only.

What the reviews say: “Great fit and materials. A modern yet classic look for those in-person meetings.”

Sizes: 00 to 16 | Colors: 5 total, including Sandstone and Black | Materials: 60% Tencell lyocell, 40% cotton

Perfect for business trips (or times when you don’t feel like lugging out the iron), Everlane’s blazer and trousers are resistant to crinkles and creases. The menswear-inspired jacket and high-waisted slacks are made of a lyocell-cotton blend that remains smooth over the course of the day. In addition to solid brown and black hues, these pieces are also available in a subtle pinstripe pattern.

What the reviews say: “Love these pants. High waisted perfection. Pants sit just above the belly button, so perfect for cropped shirts. Also great with tucked in shirts, sweaters or whatever. Soft, comfortable fabric that holds shape and doesn’t wrinkle.”

Sizes: 00 to 20 | Colors: 3 total, including Camel and Navy Blue | Materials: 98% RWS wool, 2% elastane

Banana Republic’s relaxed blazer and tailored pencil skirt come in both petite and tall sizes, so you can find your ideal fit minus any hemming. Made with Responsible Wool Standard Italian wool with just a hint of elastane for stretch, these matching pieces come together for a luxurious ensemble that looks as good as it feels.

What To Consider About The Best Suits For Women

Personal Style

First, consider your personal style, the setting and where you intend to wear the suit, says New York fashion stylist Sarah Meikle. Are you looking for something classic and timeless that will last? Do you want something practical that you can wear often and upgrade next season? Are you more traditional or do you prefer to dip into the current trends? Do you like something tailored and streamlined or do you feel more comfortable in loose-fitting, boxy styles? Are you a print, plain or bold colored type? Start by asking yourself these questions to narrow down your options.

Suit Styles

The best women’s suits come in all shapes, sizes, styles and cuts, so it’s important to understand the different silhouettes and how they work with your needs, says NYC-based fashion stylist Martina Gordon. “For a more traditional or conservative approach, go for a black, navy or gray color in a sharply-tailored, single-breasted suit. If you want something a little more effortless, look at boxy cuts, slouchy silhouettes, oversized blazers and wide leg pants.” A double-breasted jacket with large lapels also makes for a strong style statement. For a more casual, on-trend take, consider cropped or flared pants, short suits, bold colors and prints.

Fabric And Maintenance

Materials matter when choosing a suit and it’s important to take into account the season as well as the performance of the fabric. In cooler weather and for a luxurious longer-term investment (yes, this means you’ll pay more) go for a pure wool, textured plaid or silk suit that holds up extremely well—note these fabrics all require dry cleaning. For warmer days and a modern-casual look, linen and cotton are great options since they are more breathable and often come blended with elastane or polyester to give the suit a bit of stretch and comfort. As a bonus, these fabrics are usually machine washable.

Linen generally has a slightly crumpled appearance and 100 percent cotton is less structured. The same is true for crepe, but the good news it’s low maintenance in terms of wear and there’s zero ironing required. Polyester, meanwhile, is highly durable and wrinkle-resistant but it does absorb moisture, so consider the sweat factor and look for polyester blended with natural fabrics for a cooler option. Blazers with vents in the sides or backs also provide breathability, or mix things up and go for a sleeveless vest blazer.

What’s The Best Suit For Me?

This is where personal style and body shape come into play. “When buying a suit, the jacket fit is the most important part,” says Sarah Easley, founder of online fashion shop MaisonMarché. “I like to avoid buying anything that needs alterations beyond sleeve length. Also, look for quiet but quality buttons that won’t compete with jewelry.” Finally, says Easley, make sure the jacket is not so specific that it cannot be worn alone over a dress or jeans. “I always choose single-breasted jacket, as it’s more classic and versatile [that double-breasted ones],” she says. If you’re looking to streamline and lengthen your silhouette, go for sharply tailored, structured suits with a subtle shoulder pad, nipped-in waist, and long classic cut trousers to elongate your body. If you’re tall and want to create volume, slouchy, box cut and double-breasted blazers are the way to go. You can also experiment with high-waisted and cropped pants, oversized lapels and bulky pockets.

How Much Should I Spend On A Suit?

The short answer is there are no hard and fast rules. Suiting has evolved and relaxed so much in recent years that you don’t have to break the bank to buy a suit that will last. It’s better to consider the style of suit you want and the fabric. A fine wool or silk suit will always cost more but if you take good care of it, the suit will last for years. The good news is there are now affordable brands like Banana Republic making great, structured, tailored suits in high-quality wool.

How Many Suits Do I Need?

Again this depends on your work environment and how often you will wear a suit. If For a more traditional office, it’s a good idea to have two to three quality suits in classic cuts, colors (black, navy, and gray) and fabrics (wool for winter, cotton blends for summer). If the dress code is casual, you have more flexibility. Go for a classic tailored suit, a fun on-trend suit in a bold shade or pattern and separates that can be combined to create a suit (think blazer and pencil skirt, or a silk tee and trousers). The best part about separates is the versatility factor—you can always dress down a good blazer with jeans and sneakers.

I am an updates writer for Forbes Vetted, and I optimize content related to fashion, beauty, and travel. Before joining the team, I was a commerce writer for Bustle Digital Group as well as a freelance entertainment journalist with regular contributions to ScreenCrush, PopCrush, and more. I have a B.F.A. from Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, and I currently reside in Long Beach, California.