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Boyfriend blazer

Anonymous

I would like to start a conversation about boyfriend blazers. What do you think are good characteristics to look for? I would like to find one that is not too dressy, and not too black.
I wonder what length is a good length, how many buttons are most desired? Where is a good place to look, or brand to shop for?
Have any of you lovely fashionistas found the perfect boyfriend blazer?
Alternately, what coverup would work in the same way but be less dressy? A boyfriend sweater seems to lack the structure at the shoulders I would like to have. Possibly a boyfriend waistcoat would be a less dressy alternative?
Thanks

Shopping

27 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good question, Sandy. I am so into my boyfriend blazer! I feel so fably 80’s when I wear it. Start by rereading this post:

http://youlookfab.com/2009/03/.....-or-silly/

Tanya

Veteran

Hi San, I would like to get one too, maybe next month. Mine will definitely be black and must have contrast lining that would peek at the sleeves. I am a bit worried about it with my long torso, but I am still willing to give it a go. One thing I would be looking for is great fit at the shoulders.

taylor

Veteran

I LOVE my boyfriend jacket with my skinny, or straight denim..slightly cuffed, *about inch and half * at the bottom...just *at* the ankle.... with heels.

I know this look isn't for everyone, but I love it:)

Lori

(website)

I want to try this look out too but am unsure whether it would look good on me. I'm afraid being petite, it might overwhelm me a little. I'd love to give it a shot if Angie thinks it'll look okay on me. I love the look!

Anonymous

Perhaps a blazer is not the right jacket for me. I have never felt like a blazer person before, at least not the fitted preppy kind of blazer. Who know maybe my moto jacket will serve the purpose better for my style. I have that silk blousy top with the big sleeves that I need to cover in the cooler weather. I guess when the weather cools off enough I will rummage around in my closet and see what I come up with. That time is sneaking up on us rapidly. The silk might be nicely offset by the egey moto, if the sleeves will fit into the jacket sleeves. Someone had mentioned possibly a knit waiscoat. That is something to keep in mind. Maybe one with some textural appeal.
I notice this kind of blousy top is on Angie's list for those who are more daring. Hmmm. I'm not sure if I fit in that group but I feel like giving it a whirl.
Angie, it would be interesting to hear about your thought process when you find and item that you love. Do you start thinking this is soft and feminine, so I want to add a contrast edginess somehow? This is flowy so I need to have fitted in the ensemble?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I would say not to write an item off until you have tried a couple on in the changing room, you may be pleasantly surprised San.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Good thread!

I have been wondering about getting one of these too, but being reasonably big in the bust and short in the waist whether they are the right thing for me - I do like the look though. I have been picking them up and putting them back on rails in shops since Spring.

I like the idea of the contrast of silk and leather, I have a chiffon-y dress that I wore a couple of times last year with boots and got compliments on the look.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I just won one off ebay, so I guess I will see how it works for me.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I really want to get a boyfriend blazer too, and am hopeful they'll work with some longer (and hopefully 'scrunchy' enough) skinny jeans I ordered yesterday.

I'm curious though, it black is better and more versatile than something like navy blue?

I could be wrong, but I notice that when I wear navy blue, my skin/hair/eyes look better than when I wear black.

Very intrigued by this one I saw on the Dillard's website:

http://www.dillards.com/webapp.....R=03052041

Should I run down there and get it?? Or is black better? I'm planning on wearing this with new dark blue skinny jeans. Is that too much blue going on? Between the blue jeans and the blue jacket?

editing to add: I just remembered that one can always put some colour or cream/white or something near one's face to make black work better.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I'm glad you started this thread san - because I have yet another 'boyfriend blazer' question - can it be worn with other pants besides skinny jeans? And are there certain no-no's for bottoms that you'd wear with the boyfriend blazer?

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Hey VC, I'm also interested in that Dillards blazer. Angie has me going on a dark blue kick.
I'm using this photo from Nordstrom as an inspiration for trying these blazers with dresses:
http://content.nordstrom.com/i....._image.jpg

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think of it as a more casual look, so I wouldn't wear it with dress pants or anything with too much volume on the bottom. I am hoping to be able to wear it with skirts/dresses as well as skinny jeans.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

PS: I don't have one yet, but I do have this tuxedo blazer that I loooove. It looks like a bf blazer, but it's easier for me to pair with more things. For now, anyway. I'm hoping when things cool off I'll be inspired to try bf blazers with more things.
http://www.martinandosa.com/we.....=1810_0185

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Sarah - that picture with the blue jacket and dress is just gorgeous! And ...I'm really liking the looks of that blue jacket on the Dillard's site as well. Oh, and M&O tuxedo one too.

Ok - off to look at the size chart for the Dillard's one - still having trouble figuring out what my size is. Lotsa fit issues these days for me.

Anonymous

I love these dark blue jackets. I like the inky blue much more than the black for myself.
I'm drooling over the one you posted from Nordstrom's Sarah. I love the tone on tone stripe. I imagine it is very expensive.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Indeed.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....2&P=1

Anonymous

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....ordinating

Now I want that jacket Sarah, and this blouse! I better just go shopping in my closet. I must say, I am so happy to see lace coming back around. I have always like the lacy romantic look.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I want the jacket too! And the dress and the leggings and the whole outfit in that picture.

San - that blouse is gorgeous.

I am 'thisclose' to jumping in the car and heading on over to Dillards to see if they have any of those navy blazers on hand that I could try on.

taylor

Veteran

The one Sara posted is almost identicle to the one I have...They are very versitle . It is the longer length San that would work so well for you...perhaps with your beautiful blouse and your favorite denim and flats?:)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yay! Sarah’s into dark blue.

San, don’t right off the style yet! This is me in mine:

http://youlookfab.com/2009/09/.....red-jeans/

It fits perfectly on the shoulders and sleeves – you need sleek sleeves. You have to have that amount of tailoring. But it’s very boxy at the back which I love. Makes me feel very retro 80’s. From the side I have ZERO waistline and shape. I look like I’m wearing Greg’s blazer. This was my preference but it needn’t be yours. You can opt for something a little less boxy from the side.

You have to get the length right too. You can’t go too long if you are short. Also, I wanted self coloured lining but contrast lining is sweet too. Lastly, single breasted styles with 1 to 2 buttons is most flattering.

This is a personal thing but I am BIG on fabric. I love NICE fabric and will pay for it. My style is in a stiff, cotton-sateen which is very manly. It has zero drape – which again, is exactly what I wanted. Crepes and wools will drape better and fall more closely against the body, thereby making you look and feel more feminine.

Anonymous

Ok thankyou Taylor. Is it the one with the tone on tone stripes you are referreing to?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ha! We posted at the same time.

Anonymous

Angie, you look gorgeous in your boyfriend blazer, no doubt. Thankyou for giving us the details to look for. This is very helpful when looking at a sea of blazers.

taylor

Veteran

It is the Kenna T one. I have a charcoal one also. Mine are little longer than Angies, so I m clueless on what length would work for you...or maybe I am a little shorter than Angie...anyway she can advise you on that...But they are longer and unstructured and that is what I love about them too.:)

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

San, I am dithering on the boyfriend blazer look too! Blazers in general are tricky for me; I have several in my closet but I hesitate wearing them. They never seem to look quite right in any outfit, either too preppy or too masculine for what I am going for. I will be curious to see what you come up with.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Well, when I do finally find one/buy one (and it's definitely on my wish list for this season), I'm hoping for more Duran Duran and less Miami Vice.

<just kidding around>

Meanwhile, I'm working on getting some skinny jeans/pants that look ok on me, and I'm thinking that maybe a boyfriend blazer might help alleviate any concerns about being a bit too curvy for these types of pants. The boyfriend blazer will help with layering, it's longish and therefore potentially useful for just skimming over the hips/outer thighs. Plus, even though it's an unstructured sort of jacket - it's more structured than a long boyfriend-ish cardigan - which means it's not going to cling. Then there's the juxtaposition between 'polish' and 'edge'.

What's not to like?

shiny

Veteran

I posted mine on another thread yesterday:

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ust011.jpg

It's a shorter version but Theory actually calls it a "boyfriend" blazer so I guess it fits the bill. I like this length because the longer versions swallow me up too much. It's charcoal if you can't tell by the picture. I am a sucker for the contrast lining.