I’ve been craving blazers ever since the 30 for 30 challenge ended and I’m tired of boyfriend cardigans temporarily.
To be honest, I don’t really know how to style a blazer.
Since I tend to wear more casual outfits, I had to dress down the blazer.
Jeans is always a go-to staple, but the top is what always gets me. I didn’t want anything too casual or too formal…where was the middle ground?
Looking back some old posts, I’ve noticed I only wear blazers one way. (1 and 2) Aside from wearing a button-down shirt in both cases, the top is always shorter than the length of the blazer. For some reason, I assumed this was the only way to wear it.
Who knew a tunic would still look great with a blazer?
This is my new favorite “uniform” because not only are you totally warm and comfortable, but it still looks youthful and trendy.
Outfit Details: Madewell Buckley Tailors blazer – 0, J.Crew tiered tank – XXS, GapKids super skinny jeans – 12R, Forever 21 scarf, Target Merona wedges
Shop: blazer, top, jeans, wedges
So maybe I can style a blazer, it just takes a little more work to figure it out and now, I have two options.
Still, I could use some suggestions from all you blazer-wearers out there.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
i love, love, love this look! I commented on your FB page too
I do the longer shirt under the blazer thing but I think for it to work the blazer has to be shorter and hit just at or above the hip bone. LOL though I might be breaking that rule today
I wear blazers usually with jeans – I feel like it’s too formal for me with dress pants or a skirt – but I work in a really casual environment.
I think the way you styled this is really cute! The length of the top is perfect for this blazer.
I wear blazers over everything from thin-knit sweaters to button ups to loose tshirts; I have about 12 of them. My favorite casual look this winter has been my multi/rust tweed blazer over a brown tie-dye very loose tshirt with an olive green belt, dark wash jeans and med. blue suede loafers. For spring it is a coral corduroy one over a ditzy print button up (pink flowers) with med wash jeans, brown western style belt and brown flats.
i love this blazer look on you!! i have to admit that i’ve only worn my blazer over tops that are shorter as well, but i’ll have to try playing around with the proportions now after seeing this post. the color of this blazer is so pretty too!
For allegedly not knowing how to style a blazer, you do it amazingly well
Apart from that, a blazer can be styled over everything that does not add bulk under it or looks weird in the neckline pairing… It’s a piece of cake.
PS: Love the face in the last picture! Hilarious! That’s what I love about blogs – we do try to be pretty, but we can have that goofy, don’t-care attitude as well. That’s pretty real, and real is good
http://www.relatablestyle.blogspot.com
You are too cute! Love the “new” blazer look!
Love it! I am OBSESSED with blazers this spring. I’ve got about 3-4 black blazers that are different styles (i.e. cropped, boyfriend blazer, etc), some neutral gray, white, and beige ones, and my new fave olive green blazer. I really love dressing them up and down depending on whether I’m going to work or running an errand. I never wear jackets anymore, just blazers. I think a blazer is always a chic addition, but aside from accessories and the top/bottom pieces, the most important is the fit of the blazer…it has to fit right otherwise it just looks sloppy.
I love your zebra scarf addition, and I was surprised the blazer was from Madewell…it looks like it’s from Theory!
Love it! I need to check out my Madewell store again!! That scarf is awesome too btw – anything with an animal print means I’m all over it!
Well, I really like the way you’ve styled the blazer here for sure!…..I’ve also seen the boyfriend blazer styled over dresses and I really like that look too.
I just bought a pair of those same jeans, same size (Gap Kids 12R). They fit me perfectly!
I struggle with blazers. I cannot seem to ever make them work. I have 4 in my closet, two which I made and then two which I recently acquired and have not yet blogged about. I tried wearing the one I made for my black job interview suit with jeans and a scarf and a simple shell style top and I thought it looked cute in a pseudo-equestrian sort of way but my students were confused and said I looked like I was going to a rodeo (perhaps because I had tall riding boots on?) I considered the outfit an epic fail and swore off blazers but then I made another and then bought two. I like the way they look with a fitted sheath dress but I am still stuck at making them work with jeans. I think they look great on others but on me I always look awkward. I’ll have to try your look out to see if it works.
You styled this blazer prefectly, Jess. This is what I typically wear on the weekend when we go out. I am loving your blazer. I’ve been wanting to check out Madewell but never had a chance to do so. Like others, I always wear a shorter top with my blazer. I might have to try this look. Have a great week.
Love, love, love this look on you! You wear every piece beautifully.
Dress shirts with blazers = formal. Plain tee with blazers = casual. Anything else is fall in the “in between” — like the top you have on, or a blouse. Oh what am I saying? You can pair anything with blazers to make the outfit look good
Haha, I agree with Cee – blazers go with everything….and I love your outfit…the colors are so cool and the scarf brightens it all up. I usually wear longer tops with blazers but that’s b/c most of my stuff is long.
Wow!! You did a great job styling this!! I love everything…especially that cute scarf and the tiered tunic!
I am of no help for extra blazer tips…I only own one, and wore it for the first time last Friday! I will definitely remember how you styled this when I go to wear it again in the future!
Your outfit looks great! I think I do the same when I wear blazers…the shirt is shorter than the blazer. I’m gonna have to try your method. I’ve actually never worn dress shirts with my blazers, except for interviews!
I love the peek of ruffles seen on the top!! I usually get all my blazer inspirations from Cee @ ToBrightenMyDay and have a tendency to wear mine cuffed with a detailed top of some sort (ruffles / loud print / petals /etc.).
@Curls and Pearls: I agree, the blazer can’t be too long or the tunic will look more like a dress underneath. LOL.
@Rachel K: What great ideas! i gotta try some of that out so I get the most out of my blazers.
@Kileen: I love the color too, it reminds me of spring, but not overly so. I can still wear it for other seasons.
@Relatable Style: I guess I can style a blazer, but it took me a while to get it to look “right” before taking photos of it. As much as I like to “model” in my photos, I can’t be serious all the time. =P
@Simple Subtle Style: Thanks! I hope I can still pump out great outfits with blazers.
@B: Cardigans used to be my go-to outerwear, but I think blazers are taking over that position. The Madewell blazer is awesome and though it’s not as fitted as Theory, it’s way more affordable and it still looks good.
@Erin: I’ve slowly picked up animal print items over the past year and it really adds a great pop of interest!
@Callandra: Oh! I remember seeing a couple outfits like that, I should experiment with that once the weather warms up more.
@Kerry: I used to think blazers made you look more mature so I wore them in college to look older. They were ill-fitting so I looked even more childish. LOL. But now, I think there are more styles out there so you can always try on different looks.
@PetiteLittleGirl: I’ve always wanted to wear blazers on the weekends but I feel they were always too dressy. But I’ll test it out again.
@Cee: You always look great with blazers, I gotta take my cues from you! For some reason, I don’t think blazers are that versatile, but I guess it is.
@Jarucha: I wear long tops too but because most of them are loose-fitting and I feel like they don’t match with blazers.
@Michelle: Thanks! I think the addition of textures really makes it look more interesting.
@Lor: I think I only saw blazers paired with button-downs that I assumed that it was the standard. LOL. But I think mixing it with more casual tops makes it look more interesting and less “stuffy.”
@SewPetiteGal: I like to cuff my blazers too. I think it makes it look more casual and the sleeves don’t get in the way. =)
I’m late in the commenting game as usual
but I LOVE how you styled it (I like the scrunched up face picture too – you really are terrific at taking photos of yourself.) I think the way you styled it is my favorite way to wear a blazer actually. You look adorable!
Hi I just had to say how great you look, and the other 2 blazers you have are just wonderful – so different and you styled them just right. Don’t have any suggestions because I’m trying to work it out myself but I do tend to dress formal rather than casual so I’m working on more casual looks too.
Thanks!!!
I love this! The tunic + blazer looks so chic.
@Grace: Thanks Grace! I don’t take blogging too seriously and I like to have fun with my photos. It takes some practice getting good shots with my tripod and tripod, but I think it gets better over time.
@couturecoco: I think the more you play around with your clothes, the more interesting and different outfits you can create.
@Angeline: Thanks! I think the textures really make it pop.
Have you tried a vintage graphic T and a crazy belt w/ buckle? Or styling a shrunken blazer with w a skinny belt on top? It’s sometimes an option. Like a vest, but not.
xx{ish.},
Mae Lu @ thereafterish.!
I will have to test those two options out! I’ve been thinking of the vintage tee and blazer look but I never thought of adding a belt! =)
I really enjoyed this post! I think you styled it perfectly and will be taking tips from you. I like blazers but am not too creative at styling them… thanks for the inspiration!
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