Even if you don’t work in a corporate environment, per se, you need to own a couple suits. Buying matching suit pieces is a good way to jump-start your GGG wardrobe because you can mix it up: wear the pants on their own regularly, wear the jacket with another skirt or jeans, or wear the top and bottom together when you have an interview or important meeting. Here are some tips for finding your perfect match:

1. Your first purchase should be a basic black suit, then buy a couple more neutrals, such as navy, charcoal, or dark brown.

2. Unless you already have a big wardrobe of suits, or need them because you’re, say, a tv newscaster, avoid buying brightly-colored suits. Even though a pink suit may be a great fashion statement a la Elle Woods, you probably won’t get much mileage out of it because everyone will know you wore it last Tuesday. If you are still building your collection, add a stylish and interesting, but less-conspicuous, suit into your mix by choosing a neutral tweed or pinstripe version.

3. Look for suits at department stores, such as Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, or Bloomingdale’s. In addition, try discount emporiums like Loehmann’s, Filene’s Basement or TJ Maxx. Oftentimes, these stores have the exact same items (aka “overstock”) you see full-price at the mall.

4. Expect to pay at least $200.

5. Look for first-rate fabrics, such as lightweight wool, or high-quality synthetic blends; many great designers work with polyester, rayon, viscose, or nylon nowadays. A little bit of stretch (i.e., Spandex or Lycra) is good as well. Avoid linen or khaki suits; they are a wrinkle nightmare. Also, look for quality construction: straight, matching seams; sewn-in, rather than glued, linings; well-sewn buttons.

6. Do you go lined or unlined? Jackets and skirts should be lined, but for pants, it’s a personal preference. Many of the more stylish makers, such as Theory or BCBG, nix the pant lining on lighter weight fabrics for a more modern look and feel.

7. Here are some markers of a good fit: In the jacket, shoulder seams should be centered on the top of your own shoulders. You should have enough room in the upper arms and back to allow full range of motion (i.e., hold your arms out to the side), while still creating a fitted shape. When your arms hang straight down, the sleeve cuff should fall between the wrist bone and top of your hand. You should be able to fit two fingers in the waistband comfortably. Pants should smoothly drape down your backside, not cling or hug, especially not to the bottom half of your tush. Skirt lengths should be at or just above the knee. Pencil skirts should not ride up. In short, buy something looser off-the-rack, and bring it to your trusted tailor.

8. In addition, keep in mind what you will be wearing underneath. You’ll usually wear a button down or knit top beneath your jacket (i.e., no flimsy camisoles!), so make sure there’s enough room to accommodate. Or, you may be looking at one of those new style jackets that button all the way up the front and are worn more like a shirt. Even then, make sure there is room for a lightweight undershirt to absorb sweat. Hint: Try an uber-thin, moisture-wicking tee from brands like Autrepeau or Uniqlo.

The designer of several eponymous collections–including her new affordably-priced Rachel Rachel Roy line at Macy’s– shares a bit of what she’s learned about work, life, and looking great.

What elements does an item of clothing need to look expensive even when it’s not?

As a shopper, you should look for good fabric–how it feels when you touch it–and try the piece on to see how it’s constructed. You still might have to get it altered for a little more cost, but tailoring helps the piece look richer right away. Also, check the stitch. If a designer uses a very thin thread, it looks much cheaper than a nice, thick thread. You hear about thread count with sheets, and it’s the same with stitches. If the thread is thicker, I find it makes the garment look richer. Those are little touches I try to give to my [Macy's] collection.

What did you learn back as an intern at Rocawear that prepared you for running your own business?

I learned so much! I think when you work in every department, even departments you don’t like, you learn to appreciate every position.  Working in, for example, the mailroom and in marketing, I learned seemingly little things like how much messengers cost and what time FedEx closes. But those are the things that you actually need to know to run your own company. Also, I’m used to the long hours because I did intern. Now, I don’t mind the hours because I’m working for myself.

You recently told Vogue that you don’t make the gym an utmost priority given your busy schedule as a mom of two daughters.  How do you keep it all together, so to speak?

It’s not easy. I do take it one day at a time, and try to make time for myself, literally just “mind-melting.” Some people call it meditation; I call it mind-melt. Everyday for a few moments (not even 10 minutes if I don’t have it) I either talk to myself or, since I’m a bit spiritual, I talk to God, just trying to put everything into alignment. I also do deep breathing. All of these things sound so corny that I hate kind of listing them, but if you try it when you’re alone–just a deep breath, or sitting up straight–it works. It calms me, and I’m able to be more present for the people that deserve it, like my two little girls.  They deserve a really active, present mom. So, that’s what keeps me going.

To learn more about Rachel, visit www.rachelroy.com.

Photo Credit: Barry Williams

Spoke about summer bargain shopping on ABC’s Good Money yesterday. Some quick tips include look at cost vs. cost per wear, if possible wait 24-hours before you buy, and try to stick to brands you already wear (saves time and money). Also, check out all the online membership only sample sales. Gilt Groupe is my personal fave!

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The stunning and talented Rachel Roy was in Atlanta a couple weeks ago to promote her fab new reasonably-priced line at Macy’s, Rachel Rachel Roy. It was an honor to meet her (and sign a copy of the book for her!!). Watch for our interview in the June newsletter (you can sign up on www.debrashigley.com)– she shared some great insights on how to look rich for less, what she learned as an intern that’s made her a better businesswoman, and managing it all as a mom of two.

Photo credit: Barry Williams / Macy’s

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With the controversy over the Lane Bryant ad shown above, people are again talking about what’s appropriate and what’s not when it comes to cleavage.  I once asked a wise woman if cleavage is appropriate in the workplace and her response was, “Well, it depends on your definition of cleavage.” Touché. There are certainly different kinds of cleavage, and in the workplace, all of them are pretty much a “No”– except for when it comes to the toes! Here are some other quick cleavage do’s and don’ts:

• Boob cleavage at work: For work, unless cleavage is part of your job description (e.g., you’re a bartender!), I say go for décolleté — a ‘shadow’ of boobage, rather than even one inch of crack. It’s simply too distracting otherwise. Also, as the warm weather approaches, avoid flimsy camisoles or shells, even underneath a suit.  Anything that looks too much like lingerie is better left to the bedroom, not the boardroom.
• Cleavage at the beach: There’s a new trend of “tush cleavage” in which you show the top part of your rear a la Kim Kardashian in this photo. I witnessed a bit of this a few months ago when I was in Rio — where the bathing suits are famously itty bitty– and even then, most of the time, the tops were small, whereas the bottoms gave complete coverage. Bottom line (sorry, couldn’t resist!): only the very bold should try it! And up top, you want a bathing suit that covers 75 percent of your “girls.”
• Toe cleavage: This refers to when you can see the little crack where your toe joins your foot in certain shoes. It used to be you shouldn’t show toe cleavage in office shoes, but that’s outdated– not to mention virtually impossible with most low-vamp, fashion-forward pumps!