First, congrats Angie on the Today show segment Saturday – I saw it – it was great to see you ‘live’. As for today’s post, I love the boyfriend watch – I wear a mens’ Timex, a watch featured in Vogue – good style married to a good price. I like the boyfriend cardigan with a skinny belt – flattering for lots of shapes and sizes. I feel sort of ‘meh’ about the boyfriend blazer. I agree it brings back some great memories, but I am not sure it would do much for my shape these days. Probably take a pass, but two out of three boyfriends trends is not bad!

As I have posted earlier on the forum, I am very curios to try this style. I already got a long ( bot not boyfriend, it is fitted) black blazer. I have a spotted a perfect light grey boyfriend style with contrast lining at Club Monaco, and will be stalking it till it goes on significant style, hopefully by the time my shopping ban is over.

I love menswear inspired clothing, especially when it is contrasted with something frilly and ultra-feminine. I like the look of the boyfriend blazer, too, but with some caveats. First, the length is kind of hard to pull off. With a boyfriend cardi, it is easy to throw a belt over the top to visually raise the eye to the waist and make legs look longer. It’s not so easy to do with a blazer because the material is usually more structured. If you are short and have short legs like I do, I think it just emphasizes these qualities. Secondly, I think it’s easy to look kind of sloppy, as you mentioned. It’s also kind of awkward over a regular length dress (I’ve tried the look). It goes best with a mini skirt or dress, but I never wear that length. Thirdly, shoulder pads are a definite no for me, since I already have broad shoulders. From the back I look like a man with one of these on.

I probably could search for and find a boyfriend blazer that did work for me, but I guess I just don’t like the style enough for myself to put in the effort. I do think it could be a great, edgy, more casual option on the right body, or with the right blazer. I’ll take a pass and admire it on others.

I think the look is very cute on the right people … but not for me. It’s just not a look that flatters my proportions (under 5′0″, broad of shoulder).

I have to agree with the ladies above. The look is not for everyone, it probably makes more sense if you are of a slim build, and a little bit on the tall side. As much as I love men’s clothing cut for feminine figure, this look I think I will pass on. It’s a little bit too frumpy for me, and I really did wear it to death in the 80s. Duran Duran and Depeche Mode definitely come to mind.

(Thank you, Ashley. I appreciate you chiming in about the NBC segment). I suspect that your opinion will rule. You can create a waistline with a boyfriend cardi and that’s appealing and instantly flattering. But you can’t do that with a baggy boyfriend blazer.

Good points, Ana and Wendy. I hear you Danja.

This is how I see it. You’ll either:

o Love the look because it’s sentimental
o Give the look a try because it’s different, you never did in the 80’s or you’re up for a change
o Loath the look because it brings back bad memories
o Skip it because you prefer the look of a tailored jacket that shows off the waistline.

If I find the right boyfriend blazer, I will definitely give this look another bash.

Angie, I posted about this a couple of times too- I was able to find some styles that were a little more streamlined (not so slouchy) and not so long- that was a happy medium for me!

RSRP, that’s a good point and I’m blogging about that next. To me, the blazer you’re speaking of is not “a boyfriend”, because it’s streamlined. Boyfriend blazers have to be baggy imo so it’s a different animal. But quite right, the more tailored version is also coming through. It’ like a snug tuxedo jacket and I quite fancy the look. I suspect the latter will be more popular.

I will probably skip the look because I prefer the look of a more structured jacket. Also, I’m not sure if the look would work on my petite frame.

I think the look may work for some people and I look forward to seeing how people wear this look in real life.

I like the look, partially for sentimental reasons (I’m a total 80s girl at heart) and partially because it’s a new silhouette and I like change. However, just like Ana and a few others said, it’s not easy to pull this off with style.

I find the “true” bf style – long and slouchy – works best on tall women, especially with rectangular body shapes. But, just like RSRP, for the rest of us there are modified styles that are more “mainstream”, and they can look great. I decided to have my Club Monaco blazer that I bought this winter function as my “bf blazer”, even though it isn’t exactly slouchy nor super long. But it’s a fun new style that, as you said, looks good with graphic tees, other more casual tops, and button downs.

One other thing that hasn’t been mentioned before is that on the retail and fashion show pics, the models usually sport an extremely plain tee under the blazer, and the overall look is very “clean”, even plain, in that there is often not much color, textual interest, or accessories as part of the outfit. More often than not it’s just jeans, white or black tee, and blazer. That to me is a bit too boring and I’m trying to add a little more visual interest to my blazer outfits. Would love to hear some ideas for how to do that while still staying within the “bf” look.

Once they start showing up in all the pastel colors it will be just like the good ol’ Miami Vice days. Oh the memories these bring back.

Ha, Risa! So true.

The length of the blazer is not going to work if you’re short. You will look 100 times better in a shorter jacket (but a trench coat is a different story). Height and few curves are probably a prerequisite for this look but I’m not entirely sure about the curvy part yet. I’ll get back to you.

The memories you all are bringing back are cracking me up. The thought of one of these jackets in pastel is funny to me right now, but my eye may adjust later. Not that I’d wear one in pastel since I would look like an Easter Egg which I try to avoid.
I don’t know much about 80’s style because I was in my 30’s raising kids and working, not paying attention to style and thought the BAGGY farmer overalls that my daughter wore were horrible. I could not for the life of me understand that one. Now I do like the jackets that you have posted here Angie. I love the length and that they are not overly slouchy, nor do they have huge shoulder pads. I think I would feel right at home in the second from left. I like these much better than the boyfriend sweaters.

I’m excited to try these- it may actually help my narrow shoulders, small frame, if I can find one I don’t get lost in. I remember having a blazer in electric blue in the 80’s- loved that thing. Along with my electric blue slouchy coat!

They’re silly! Won’t go there again.

I think this is perhaps the worst thing you could do if you’re large-busted and thick-waisted. I’ll have to pass, even though I like the look a lot. I also don’t see it working on anyone who has any sort of butt. Like most trends, I’ll just have to admire it on a more willowy figure.

Oh, and of course I am probably too short for it even if I were thinner/straighter.

A very interesting thread . . . I’d like to work on a one-button blazer that flatters the bust curve. I am over the whole cropped jacket thing, when i wear my cropped jacket I feel that it shortens my already short upper body.

So, what is a lengthening length?

I have a more fitting preppy boyfriend blazer I purchased in fall and I wear it quite often. I’ll probably pass on the baggy look simply because I think that I shouldn’t have done it every time I look at my photos from the 80s. I’m sure my eyes will get used to it at some point and I’ll love it on others.

This cracks me up as I’ve never given up that look. I wear clothes for years and years (I’m not all that stylish personally but I love to look at others who are more style forward) so I have blazers/jackets/etc. from the 80s/90s that I still occ. wear. They are longer, dropped shoulder, less fitted. But they are wool, good quality and OK. I actually thought about having them tailored this year to be a little more fitted but never got around to it. And now, they are apparently back in style. So by walking fashion backward in a circle, I find myself being fashion forward. HA!

I read recently that many women get stuck in a style rut from an era they loved. My era style icon is Diane Keaton from Annie Hall. Love that look and I still can work it a little bit. She and I are the same age, btw.

I agree with several people who have posted. It seems it will look good on only the slim (preferably tall) women. Tayna, I am looking foreward to seeing you in it. I think shorter, heavier, bustier women will just look baggy. I also think it is a casual look. So maybe Miami Vice pink jacket with white cotton pants and a polo shirt under it….? Oh, and don’t forget the loafers without socks. Weren’t the white pants rolled at the cuff?

I think I’m too short for this look as well. I’ll never say never but I’m not crazy about the look at this point. The more fitted tuxedo style might be more interesting to me and I would love something like this:

http://www.shopbop.com/sleevel.....shopbysize

Hm, so why did I change my style a year ago to embrace and flatter my small body and not hide it under baggy clothes? My old clothes are in style now. Ug! Just kidding about the first part, but yes, my old baggy 80s-ish clothes are now in style. No thanks. I strive to look more like an hourglass and less like a blob. These are things that will not make it into my closet (along with the other boyfriends items). It is a part of my new personal style to never wear baggy tops like this, except when cleaning the house or riding horses. I like the idea of the contrasting lining on the sleeves, but that could be done on any jacket with larger, non-fitted sleeves. Sorry Angie, I’ll take a pass. I’m all for trends, but if they don’t flatter my body I’ll enjoy them (or in this case cringe at them) on others.

Not sure the boyfriend blazer will work for short waisted, bigger busted me. Plus, I am firmly in the “wore it first time around” camp.
I think it is a cute, very trendy option for some but I hope it does not become the only jacket option stores stock.

I’m with Sarah above. I’ve spent too much effort teaching myself to flatter my waist rather than concealing it like I did all through my teenage years–I couldn’t possibly embrace a look like this one now. I like menswear-inspired styles, but only when they’re made to flatter a woman’s body.

I am SO not a fan of this style … but like so many trends, I expect to adapt my tastes, just as you say, Angie. In a year, I’ll likely be hunting high and low for my own boyfriend blazer …

But perhaps not. The boyfriend cardi looks AWFUL on me and I’ve resisted thus far!

I am a BiG fan of blazers, I bought a tweed one from american eagle a couple of years ago and still wear it on a regular basis during the fall and winter season to this day.

I far too young to remember the 80s(seeing that I’m in college now), but as long as I don’t see major shoulderpad look being added to my blazers I think I’ll give boyfriend blazers a whirl.

I had several of these types of blazers back in the 80’s. I had a gray one and and a black one..big shoulder pads and everything! I wore both of these over short skirts, turtleneck sweaters and pumps. Looking at pics of myself from this era, I can see that it is really a bad proportion for me…I have a small frame and it was just too much fabric for me. Especially since I was so thin and wirey in those days!

I will be passing on this trend this time around. My eye has adjusted to a more fitted shape and I think my 20-year-older body NEEDS a more fitted shape!

With all the 80s stuff so popular right now, I knew this had to be coming back sooner or later. Just the other day I was watching an early 90s show and was reminded of the fashion horrors of the 80s and early 90s. And yes, this was one of them.

Like San, I was busy raising kids and not thinking much about fashion in the 80’s, but doubt the boyfriend blazer will work for me…too short with no curves. This trend gets a pass, but a longer more structured and fitted blazer is a different matter. I’m looking forward to your blog post on this look.

People have raised interesting points. Hauling out what you wore in the 80’s and hoping it will work today is not going to fly, even though it seems so with the pictures that have been posted. There is not enough “right now” in the garments of 1985. Even though the silhouette looks very similar, the cut, integrity of the shoulder pads and fabric is different. These subtle differences make a significant positive impact. When you start trying on the boyfriend blazers in stores and compare them to what you wore 25 years ago, you’ll grasp what I mean.

Sarah, Sarah H. and Kim, you crack me up. I’m glad you’ve moved on from your unflattering 80’s style clothing in lieu of the forever flattering structured look. It’s flop proof for us all.

Carissa, define cropped? How short is a cropped jacket in your world?

You’re going to be more receptive to the streamlined version that RSRP was talking about. And that makes perfect sense

Nevertheless, I believe that the right boyfriend blazer can look stylish, retro and arty if it’s worn with tailored basics like great jeans, a button down shirt or graphic T and a feminine shoe.

But should the other shoe be masculine?

I tried the boyfriend cardi look out in multiple dressing rooms this fall and couldn’t make myself like it. Boyfriend jeans have roundly been declared a no-no here. Now the boyfriend jacket comes along too. I can’t say I’m too optimistic!

I love this look. Like you, it’s probably a nostalgia thing. Now I’m wishing back all my 80s blazers which I gave away in my big closet sweep a few years ago. Probably best that I can’t get them back.

I’m with the ladies who say it’s all about your body style: tall, thin, narrow shoulders. It definitely does not look good with shorts or leggings, imho. A great pair of jeans and a solid-colored top seems like the perfect fit. I might be able to make this work. (crossing fingers) We’ll see.

I like the length of these blazers but don’t like the bagginess. I am tall, but not thin (yet!), so I think a baggy blazer would add pounds. I’d rather have a more tailored, fitted jacket in that length. Also, I’m not sure about rolling up jacket sleeves. I do it with shirt sleeves all the time, but don’t much like the look with a jacket.

I like the trend but can’t wear it. I’m an hourglass that tends towards an inverted triangle, just like you said in the next post. I have a bust, I have hips, and even though my shoulders are wider than my hips, those still aren’t narrow by any means. So even though I’m not plump, anything baggy makes me look too square and big, specially structured items like baggy jackets or coats.

Hmm… I must admit I don t see the reason to wear a blazer like that, when there are so many nice looking, structured blazers out there… Shaped for the female shape .

i don’t really like these, not like the boyfriend cardigans/jeans, ect. i think i stick with my cropped blazers, thanks. i really do like the one on the far right, though.

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