8 Australian creatives style a tailored suit

Suit up.

There’s something universally put together about a tailored suit. One of the few styles that have seemingly forever been in fashion, a suit has always exuded class.

There’s simply no other combo that can take you from an uptight work meeting to an intimate birthday party; from a rowdy live music event to a formal dinner. Whether it’s an off-the-rack ensemble or a fully tailored three-piece set, a suit can do no wrong.

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For women and AFAB people, the tailored suit has become synonymous with stepping into your power and confidence. A suit can be an indicator that you know your shit, you’re cool enough to hold your own and you don’t mind calling the shots.

While eagerly I save up for my very own tailor-made suit from Melbourne label E Nolan, I asked nine Australian creative people to show me their tailored sets.

Elsa Mullins, she/her, content creator

This suit is the most iconic piece in my wardrobe. It’s genuine vintage from when my mum was heavily involved in the Australian fashion scene back in the ’90s. I’m so glad she passed these pieces on to me. It’s a masculine style, wool two-piece set from Marcs – and it’s 100 per cent my most complimented outfit!

I love the versatility of a classic pinstripe suit. It’s so easy to throw the pants on with a graphic tee and my Vans to dress it down, or pop it on as a whole ensemble and dress it up with sparkling jewels and heels. I chose it as one of my looks for Melbourne Fashion Week last year, styling it with a simple black bra under the blazer and a pearl belt over the top to add a touch of femininity.

@etherealelsa

Lucinda McGarrity, she/her, project manager

I think the beauty of a tailored suit is how easy it makes it to put an outfit together. Some days I just don’t want to think about which top goes with which pants.

I used to steer clear of suit sets; wearing them always made me feel like I was playing dress-ups or putting on a uniform. However, playing around with different fabrics and patterns has really allowed me to fall in love with tailored pieces and make them my own.

Currently, I’m loving my silk suit set, which makes me feel like I’m wearing pyjamas. It’s perfect with a pair of sneakers and sunnies for a more casual look but provides a completely different vibe when paired with a heel.

@cindamcgarrity

Kayla Moon, she/they, florist and studio director

Suits. There’s something about them. Power? Security? Aesthetic? Efficiency? To me, it’s all of the above. A secure power suit is efficiently aesthetic. I’ve always found myself attracted to two-piece suits, especially for when I do public-facing work for either of my businesses. Not only do they make me feel like a total young professional and like I know exactly what I’m talking about, they also can bridge the gap between corporate and alternative.

I love the duality of looking slick while wearing a bright bold colour like green or blue to bring through my own unique style. It’s serving ‘me’… there’s something about a woman in a suit. She’s a businesswoman, you don’t fuck with her, she knows what she wants and she’s going to go at it. Did I mention she also has the time to accessorise with a cute vest, bag and heels? What a gal.

@kayos_worldwide

Erik Yvon, he/him, designer at Erik Yvon

Photography by Liz Sunshine

My favourite tailored suit is a colourful collaboration with Melbourne-based textile designer Lily Suwitra, who draws inspiration from Balinese heritage. This suit is tailored from a printed cotton sateen of Lily’s floral artwork and features a lush cherry-coloured lining. The double-breasted jacket has a relaxed cut and comes with a matching pair of pants, making use of bold colours, textures and patterns to spark joy.

I enjoy wearing a suit for special occasions. It’s a crowd-pleaser and definitely gives that little pizzazz. A nice suit makes me feel empowered with confidence. I enjoy matching it with accessories, sneakers and a singlet underneath. Depending on the suit, I like to style it with lighter or pastel colours. A good suit works for all occasions and can be styled up or down.

@erik_yvon

Rachael Akhidenor, she/her, founder of Self Care Originals

I always style a suit quite minimally. I love a suit that’s quite boxy and oversized. Because of this, I’ll pair it with a simple tank or a skivvy underneath to juxtapose the proportions. I’ll generally just throw on a heel to dress it up, or black high-top Converse to dress it down. I love wearing suit ensembles because they’re just super easy. They always look put together.

This suit here is actually a men’s suit I got from Salvos years ago that I had tailored. In saying that, suits are always something I’ll invest in because they’re timeless. They never go out of style.

@rachakhidenor

Bisaahr, she/they, model

To experience masculinity as a woman feels so effortlessly chic. My approach to being suited up is to birth the love child of two references: the shoot Helmut Newton did for YSL in the ’70s titled Le Smoking, and the poetry chavs of England during the early 2000s (think Archie Marshall and Sonny Hall).

Here, I layered pieces you would typically see men wear at fancy events (ones I simply wouldn’t be at). It’s no bra, no panties, a simple vest and/or button-up (optional), trousers, a blazer and a statement shoe, all in monochromatic black. When I wear fits like this, I see my body before all the layers and fabrics.

@bisaahr

Lib Hutton, she/her, director of Project Hutton

I invested in an E Nolan suit about a year ago. It was, quite simply, one of the best fashion decisions of my life. And they don’t come often! It doesn’t get much better than a suit tailored to you.

It’s like my uniform – I wear it to the office, to events and even to weddings. I wear the pants and blazer as separates too, so there is plenty of versatility. Yes, it’s a bit of a financial hit – but my god, it’s worth every penny. Highly recommend!

@libcarter_

Karinda Mutabazi, she/her, freelance stylist and creative consultant at Side Eye Creative

Photography by Micaela Chutrau

Suits are definitely my thing; given a choice it’s always my number one preference. There is something really empowering about a well-fitting suit, you feel like you can take on anything and look great doing it.

Kourh made this beautiful suit. I was drawn first to the colour, then to the interesting design details. This blazer is actually made in two parts so it can become cropped. The pants are super long, which is always something I look for as I’m tall and can never find pants long enough. This is also made from deadstock fabric, which I like because it’s helping to reduce fabric waste.

@mutabazi_k

For more on styling a tailored suit, head here.