#onepieceamonth investment no. 11: pinstripe Pauw suit

Suits! One of my favorite series (can’t wait till January 25, when season 6 part two will start) and probably slighty responsible for the November piece of my #onepieceamonth slow fashion challenge.
Spotted this Pauw two-piece-pinstripe-suit during our exclusive Chapter Fifty & Pauw Amsterdam ladies lunch in September. It was on my mind ever since. I need a suit.
At least 30 wears? Do I have something similar in my closet? Yes. No. I am getting quite experienced with my challenge questions. Let’s try it on.

The Pauw Amsterdam suit

The other question I wonder about is if wearing a suit will not make me too formal? You know, as in bring a business case and announce a take-over kind of suit. But non of this! The moment I tried on this two piece pinstripe, it was love on first sight.
This classic Pauw item also has some sturdiness to it. Designed by Madelein Pauw and her signature of luxurious appearance and feel together with a masculine touch is written all over this suit.
And then the fabric. The double-breasted blazer has large buttons and two pockets at the front and is crafted in a super soft woven wool with a tiny bit of Elastane. In short: it feels as if I am wearing a training suit.
So instead of higher than high heels I style this suit – with matching wide and long-legged pants – with sneakers for a more edgy look. No take-over plans in the near future. If the suit fits…

Women in Suits, a brief history

Male influences to women clothes date back to the 1930’s with Marlene Dietrich as role model. She created some shocks back then when appearing in a two- or three-piece men suit.
Her ‘trouser craze’ even reached as far as the Congress where a vote has to pass whether she violates the law that forbids women to masquerade as men. It passed stating that ‘women wearing trousers were not trying to deceive anybody’. The contrary, I would say.
Juicy detail, most of Marlene’s suits were designed by Coco Chanel herself.

” I wear them to be comfortable, not sensational!”
__ Marlene Dietrich

Since then a pants suit for women is never out of style, with the likes of Madonna and Michelle Obama to proof it. So suit yourself.

Tip: pre-sale has started at Pauw Amsterdam, both in stores and online.

slow fashion challenge 2016, happily added so far:

• piece no.1 : Dries van Noten sweater

• piece no.2 : Eres bikini

• piece no.3 : American Vintage blouse

• piece no.4 : Gucci backpack

• piece no.5 : BY-BAR dress

• piece no.6 : Aaiko dress

• piece no.7 : Sartore sandals

• piece no.8 : Sophie D'Hoore white shirt

• piece no.9 : Marni sweater

• piece no.10: Vintage Leopard Shirt

• piece no.11: Pauw Amsterdam Pinstripe Suit

• piece no.12: MUJI men's shirt dress

disclaimer
The suit described in this blog post is part of my collaboration with Pauw Amsterdam, curated luxury store. I only accept items or collaborations that answer positive to the question: “would I have bought these myself?”. I will not promote anything that I would not wear, eat, sleep or see myself.  Authenticity is very important to me.