Suit of the Week: Banana Republic Factory

For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional. Also: we just updated our big roundup for the best women’s suits of 2025!

I’m going to start by saying: this suit looks fresh and modern to me.

But then I found myself thinking: but the pants are SKINNY. Aren’t we past all that?

But… it still looks fresh and modern. So let’s discuss. Are you still wearing skinny pants with work outfits? What about them (or styling them) makes them feel dated versus fresh? Is there a way to intentionally be more Audrey Hepburn, less 2015?

I think a number of things make the styling here look more Audrey, including the tucked-in blouse, the loafers, and the juuuust-above-the-ankle-bone cut. (If the crop were three or four inches higher it would look a lot more like 2015, IMHO.)

Banana Republic Factory has a ton of matching pieces, including a great V-neck sheath dress and straight cut pants, as well as the pictured blazer and skinny pants. Everything is on a pretty great sale, which unfortunately means we’re down to lucky sizes in some colors — check your local store to see if they can track something down for you if you’re missing something. The pieces are $50-$170, available in sizes XS-XL, plus an additional 20% off at checkout.

Sales of note for 1/1/25 (HAPPY NEW YEAR!):

• Nordstrom – The Half-Yearly Sale has started — up to 60% off! See our roundup here.
• AllSaints – Now up to 60% off (some of the best leather jackets!)
• Ann Taylor – Semi Annual Sale! Up to 40% off your purchase; extra 60% off 3+ styles
• Banana Republic Factory – The Winter Sale: 50% off everything + extra 60% off clearance
• Boden – Sale, up to 60% + extra 10% — readers love this blazer, these dresses, and their double-layer line of tees
• DeMellier – Sale now on, free shipping and returns — includes select options like Montreal, Vancouver, and Venice
• Eloquii – Semi-annual clearance, up to 85% off; extra 60% off clearance
• Everlane – Sale of the year, up to 70% off — reader favorites include their scoop tee, Dream Pant, ReNew Transit backpack, silk blouses and their oversized blazers!
• J.Crew – 25% off full-price styles; up to 50% off cashmere; 70% off 3+ sale styles
• J.Crew Factory – 60% off winter faves; extra 25% off $100+
• L.K. Bennett – All sale half price or less
• M.M.LaFleur – 30% on almost everything with code
• Rothy’s – End of season sale, up to 50% off fall and winter styles
• Sephora – Extra 20% off sale items for Beauty Insider members
• Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off, plus free shipping on everything (and 20% off your first order)
• Summersalt – BOGO sweaters, including this reader-favorite sweater blazer
• Talbots – Semi-Annual Red Door Sale – 40% off + 25% off, sale on sale!
• Universal Standard – 25 styles for $25, 1/1 only