Have you come down with a case of the “Blazer Blues” (the sad conviction that you’ll never find a blazer that is right for you)?
If so, don’t worry; you’re not the first woman to suffer from the Blazer Blues. Good blazers are among the hardest wardrobe items to find. A lot of blazer struggles have to do with fit. For example, petite frames gets swallowed up by broad shoulders and wide cuts while tall women can struggle to find a blazer that doesn’t look cropped. And then, of course, there’s the issue of matching a blazer to your personal style. What if your preferred style is not the best style for your body? Blazer shopping is hard!
Last week, during The Stylist Studio’s Personal Shopping Intensive, my fellow trainees and I pulled two amazing blazers for our client (one by Veronica Beard and the other by Rag & Bone) that met all her criteria. This experience inspired me to write a guide to blazers that will (I hope) alleviate symptoms of the Blazer Blues.
Happy Shopping!
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The Classic/Fitted Blazer
If you have a small frame, a fitted blazer would probably be your best choice. Looser styles could swallow you up and make you look like you’re wearing a jacket that is too big for you. A fitted blazer emphasizes your waist and gives shape to your silhouette. “Classic” doesn’t have to mean “boring,” though. There are all kinds of ways to spice up a classic, standard blazer, from the accent details on the blazer itself (like the edgy zippers on the Veronica Beard blazer) to the outfits you create around it.
Veronica Beard Scuba Jacket (with Ivory Upstate Dickey), $850
Karl Lagerfeld Ikonik Punto Satin-Trimmed Jersey Blazer, $365
J. Crew Campbell Travel Blazer in Italian Wool, $288
Vince Camuto Stretch Cotton One-Button Blazer, $150
Sentimental NY C-Suite Ponte Blazer, $98
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The Boyfriend Blazer
The Boyfriend Blazer has a straight-up-and-down cut and is particularly trendy right now. This fit is great for curvy women who struggle to find a fitted blazer that has enough room for their chest. While petite women might disappear under so much loose fabric, the boyfriend blazer may be a taller woman’s best friend since it tends to have a long hemline.
L’AGENCE The Chamberlain Blazer, $595
Rag & Bone Windsor Blazer, $495
Vince Velvet Boyfriend Blazer, $495
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The Avant-Garde Blazer
Did neither the classic blazer nor the boyfriend blazer speak to you? If you like to dress more outside-the-box, there are lots of interesting, avant-garde blazers out there waiting for you! Maybe try a blazer with a peplum waist? Cold-shoulder sleeves? Unusual buttons? Rules were made to be broken, after all.
Alice + Olivia High/Low Waterfall Hem Coat, $660
Norma Kamali Wing Blazer, $300
Helene Berman Piped Jersey Blazer, $289
MICHAEL Michael Kors Cold-Shoulder Stretch-Wool Blazer, $250
Topshop Peplum Fitted Jacket, $95
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Which blazer style is your favorite? Share with us on Facebook!
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You can find Ella Jones and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Real Life Style is a style consulting firm that teaches busy women to wear their power so they can live their lives fully and confidently. Lani Inlander, Kyle Dunphy and Sloane True are based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and serve clients nationwide. We offer personal styling services, and an on-demand e-course.
Once in a while, you can find Lani Inlander and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. Mostly, they are happily busy serving their fabulous clients, not hanging out online!