Bamboozled by Blazers... - YouLookFab Forum

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Bamboozled by Blazers...

Emily

Veteran

I'm hoping YLF collective wisdom can help me sort out a long-standing quirk of my wardrobe!

I have pinned a number of aspirational fall looks, many of which include blazers (#s 1-8 below). I have not pinned any with cardigans. While there are at least 8 cardigans in my wardrobe in regular rotation, I currently own exactly two blazers, and don't really wear either:

-The cropped black blazer in #12 has been worn only twice in the past 6 months, and less than 20 times since I've owned it (3 or 4 years).
-The navy blazer in #11 and 13 was purchased last winter and has been worn only 6 times

Interestingly, the only blazer outfits I've liked enough to repeat involve the solid blazer over a printed dress.

I know I have two hangups about blazers:
-I am self conscious of my relatively wide, sharp shoulders
-I worry that I'll look like a kid dressing up as a business lady/flight attendant/imposter wearing one

I figured the only way to overcome these foibles is to keep trying jackets in various fits/styles until I find one that makes me feel like me. WIth that in mind I got the black jacket in #9-10. I like the fit, and the non-traditional lapel, but I am really on the fence about it. I don't want it to languish in my closet, nor do I want to feel like a poseur in it. If it helps, I do feel like myself in my white moto jacket (#14) and various cardigans (#15).

I'm really hoping one of your sharp pairs of eyes will pick up on some incongruity between the jacket looks I've pinned and the ones I've worn in real life. Is it the fit? The style? The styling? Something else that I am totally missing?

Photo Key:
1-8: Pins of blazer outfits I really like
9-10: Black inverted collar blazer to K/R
11-13: Previous blazer looks from my closet, about which I am ambivalent, especially 13
14-15: Outfits with toppers from my closet that I do like

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Sveta

Zibbets

Veteran

I really like your #12 & 13... and 14 & 15 are fantastic. In most of the first group, I'm noticing the fit is quite a bit closer than yours. In real life, those might be uncomfortably snug, but they do look great, don't they? I wonder if you would consider altering your blazers to fit closer to the body. I think that would yield the look you're after.

Jules

Veteran

Well at first glance, a lot of your pinned looks mix the uniform-vibe blazer with a bit more detailed styling - more accessories, different & lighter colours, textures, etc. The exception are what I believe are Emanuelle Alt looks, and I think these are a bit more "you" - classic, simple looks (not to say you can't change up your style a bit towards the other looks).
I really like your #10, I think the belt and the interest of the shoe, plus some sexy ankle showing, make this look.
I personally prefer less classic blazers in softer textures or with some styling interest ie/ sleeves different fabric from body (this can be very subtle as in one grey/black check jacket I have, it's two different scaled houndstooth patterns). I find these help get away from the uniform or suiting vibe that I just feel very uncomfortable in. Your style is definitely more classic though.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

There is a little more going on in the pictures you've pinned as well, in terms of embellishments (crest or studs); cuffs or rolled sleeves to show skin; accessories (sharp bags); and pointy toed shoes.

And I agree with Zibbets that many of these have both blazer and pants that are more closely fitted to the body than you seem to prefer in real life.

Jules

Veteran

Also I am not sure I would count #5 as a blazer look, despite the cut, it's a studded leather jacket, pretty rocker, and worn with very tight pants (or I guess shorts and tights? can't quite tell) and a high heel to enhance the rocker vibe... a great look, but seems a bit different for you. Maybe if you can distil down what you like about this look it will help you figure things out?

always trying

Veteran

I really like 11 and 12, as a business look, and would be more so with pumps and regular panty hose. 15 is definitely like the photos you do like in 3 and 4.

I am no expert, but seems to me the rolled sleeve more casual wearing of the blazers are your favs. To me #9 is a more dressy type and maybe that is why you are having questions about it. I do not see that your shoulders are wide and sharp. They are not wider than your hips,,you look like you have a cute petite figure..Don't we all see some of these things we call our "faults" that others do not see!

Blazers are, for me a little harder to wear as they are more structured and by themselves are not a casual jacket like cardis, and motos. Doing things like pairing them with jeans, casual pants, over casual dresses or skirts are the way I too am more comfortable with mine. Also the BF blazers with the rolled sleeves work best. Others like linen, ponte, cotton etc. work with casual and more dressy. But, IMO ones like tuxedo blazers, more fitted styles work best with dresses and skirts or dressier pants for a more business look.

JayS

Veteran

I find it interesting that you're ambivalent about 13 as that look seems to me closest to the ones you pinned. It is quite fashion forward..mixing dark blue and black and I think you've done it nicely. The looks you've pinned are all quite polished. The one thing I noticed is that most of the looks you've pinned have fully tucked tops with belts..I see one partial tuck and one untucked. Maybe try that?

Jules

Veteran

Good point about #13 which has a lot of parallels with #4, the pinned look which I felt was the most you. The difference I see is her on trend, sexy footwear which helps the whole thing look intentional... can you try #13 with a bootie or rolled pants and the shoes from #10?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Most of the pinned looks have some aspect of white or light color that contrasts with the dark blazer. Your blazer looks (which I think are perfectly fine btw) don't have that strong contrast. You could try adding in a white or light color and see if that gives you more of the feel that you're going for.

I am one of those people that used to look at schoolboy-esque blazers with envy, but when I tried to wear them I felt ridiculous. They are just too preppy for me and work better on a slimmer gamine figure. I settled on knit blazers, which are more comfortable to wear and have a more casual vibe which is easier to work in with the rest of my wardrobe. I think you could try one of two options: first, you definitely have the figure to pull these looks off, so you could try them a few times with more details and higher contrast, and see if they work for you once you get used to it. Or, you could concentrate on looking for structured toppers that aren't the traditional blazer shape, like your cream moto, which automatically have a bit more edge when worn with an otherwise classic outfit.

N-Marie

Veteran

I have a similar situation- I wear blazer regularly for very formal occasions and the structured ones I own feel too formal for regular dressing. Although I have them, I don't usually reach for them.

Like Laura, I've personally overcome this by wearing knit blazers, which often do not have padded shoulders (I have broad shoulder) and feel less structured to me. In a darker color, I think you might pull off a similar look to those you have pinned while not feeling as if you are wearing a uniform.
How about a ponte or knit blazer like this one?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ca.....te/3672262

This one looks a little sharper, but still casual enough to be worn frequently without looking like you are borrowing from you suit. It does have lightly padded shoulders
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ol.....629468?ori

carter

Veteran

Awesome question! I think your #10 really starts to work as a "blazer outfit" because the starting point was the blazer, and it shows. Except perhaps in the first pin, the blazers are integral to the outfit...as if they said, "I want to wear this blazer today" and then built the outfit around it. Have you tried building outfits specifically for the blazers you have...rather than just tossing a blazer on an already-created outfit to see if it works?

kkards

Veteran

hmmmm...this comment in your post has me pondering what attracted you to the outfits that you pinned.

I know I have two hangups about blazers:
-I am self conscious of my relatively wide, sharp shoulders
-I worry that I'll look like a kid dressing up as a business lady/flight attendant/imposter wearing one

based on this comment, i'd say, pin away, but i'm not sure this is a style that you should force yourself to wear. IMO blazers are a fab way to look pulled together but they are "harder" than sweaters and you may not be comfortable with that.

Emily

Veteran

Thank you all for lending my your analytical eyes! I'll be playing in my closet at some point this week to make a decision on #9-10 and try building some outfits specifically for my blazers. I think I will explore both some more maximal/done-up/preppy looks (a la ExtraPetite and Classy Cubicle) and some more casual/urban looks (a la Emanuelle Alt)

On the shopping front, I will keep looking for "non traditional" jacket-type toppers, and at least try on some in a classic style with a closer fit through the body, possibly in ponte...

@Zibbets: Excellent point about the fit of my jackets being larger through the body than the inspiration outfits. I frequently size up for a comfortable fit in the shoulders.

@Jules: Thanks so much for your very thoughtful analysis! You make an excellent point about most of the pins being more styled. I have been looking for softer jackets without much succes!

Regarding Emanuelle Alt's shorts and leather outfit: I love that the jacket is in a traditional shape, and the outfit is simple, but the details make it look tough and cool. I've just realized that I hardly ever post my weekend outfits, which is an oversight on my part, because that's when I bust out the band tees and converse! I also like it as an example of a formula that works really well for her, which I would like to co-opt: slim bottoms, fluid top, dynamite footwear and topper.

@Ummlila - You are absolutely right about the more "done" styling, tailored fits and pointy shoes. Definitely good points to keep in mind for future outfits... pun not intended.

@always trying - Hmm... there may be some disconnect between how casual the blazer looks I like are and how dressy I like my look to be at work, which is where I wore the outfits in 11-12.

@JayS and Jules - Good eye re: #13 vs #4, I hadn't made the connection between the two. I am wearing a skinny belt and the top is tucked in #13 (curse my awful photo light) + booties, as this was an outfit from last winter. I think I will try it again with ankle pants and pointy shoes.

@Laura - you are aboslutely right that the pinned looks have more light aspects than my real life outfits which are indeed quite dark. I didn't even notice, but that is one of the things I like about #5-8. I have been keeping an eye out for non-blazer woven toppers (motos, bombers, whatnot...), as you suggest, but may try embracing to the preppy look to see how that feels.

@N-Marie - I am glad I'm not the only one with a blazer aversion! I like the idea of a ponte or knit blazer for a more forgiving fit.

@Carter - Aha. Yes. I will definitely be trying some "Blazer Specific" outfits rather than just trying to swap one for a cardi, as that doesn't seem to be working for me.

@kkards - I like that the looks are sophisticated, crisp and urban. I do really like the cleaner lines and bit of hard edge, with the caveat of not emphasizing my shoulders too much. Plus I can invest in a blazer or woven jacket without worrying as much that it will pill and stretch! I hate shelling out for and carefully washing knitwear only to have it look spent after a season or two...

jennifer

Veteran

I notice that the pinned looks frequently have these things as elements:
Stronger contrast.
Book ending .
Stronger accessorization.
Rolled cuffs and tucked and belted tops.
Focal point of outfit is near face using print or colour.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting exercise, Emily. Of course you know my fave, right? The one you are ambivalent about, #13! I also like #10 (and like that jacket) -- although it's a bit difficult to tell if the stance is right or a bit low on you -- I'm just not able to see it well enough to judge.

You've had some valuable feedback already, but my main observation is that the looks you've pinned are more casual than your typical work looks, or casual in a different way. I always see cardigans as a bit more casual than jackets -- but if you wear them with a pencil skirt or dress or dressy trousers and silk blouse, that obviously makes them dressier. In your pins, the jacket is the "dressier" element of the outfit and the other items are less dressy.

Maybe you'd feel more comfortable in jackets as weekend wear?

As for the fit, it might be that you need some tailoring -- or different styles. I wonder how the Theory Lanai might work for you -- or a jacket like that? And scrunch the sleeves?

Theory 'Lanai' Twill Jacket

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

No one mentioned color so I'll just add that maybe part of it has to do with the connotation that a dark blazer equates a certain look in your mind? Dark suits, uniforms, etc. But I do agree that you can take a pretty serious blazer and casualize it with the blouse/top you wear, pants, etc.

That Caslon Roll Sleeve Knit Blazer in a burgundy (aka deep red) for fall would add color to simple outfits and be a whole lot more comfortable and slightly casual. Not to mention the sleeves stay scrunched. I own two knit blazers and feel so much more "me" when wearing those. I don't dry clean so getting something washable is always a requirement for me. That pretty much eliminated all the other wool, and poly lined options I found.

All of that said, I think you can pull off the more "serious" blazer too, it's just a matter of *will* you choose to wear it?

L'Abeille

Veteran

I find this thread fascinating as I too am trying to get my head around wearing blazers. Only my hangup is in the opposite direction: I love blazers, own way too many, yet I never wear them because they are too formal and impractical for my work life. I have just started wearing my navy blazer as a late-summer outer layer, for both work and casual, so am exploring this more.

But enough about me. I want you to put on that outfit you wore in # 13. The same pieces exactly, down to the striped T and booties. Now, go stand in front of the mirror and practice rolling and scrunching the sleeves. Take some pictures of different variations. Then come back and post them and we can compare them to EA's look in #4. Because I think that is all you are missing.

Maybe I am off base here, but my sense (from your outfit posts in general) is that at work, you are trying to dress mature/professional in order to be taken seriously in a conservative profession, (That was me, many years ago.) Looking at your pins, i think the casual cool factor of the blazer appeals to you. I would suggest that you practice wearing your blazers in a casual, relaxed style. Once you master that, you will feel as relaxed and comfortable in them as you do in jeans, and that ease can then flow into confidence when you wear them at work. Am I making sense? (Maybe it's just me. But my blazer confidence came from (1) watching my 23 yr old daughter style hers casually--including with my own dresses!--and (2) spilling tea on my shirt cuff on a rare blazer-clad work day, and suddenly feeling so much more like "me" when I scrunched the blazer sleeves and rolled the shirt cuffs over them to keep my wrists dry.)

Gigi

Veteran

Emily, I'm trying to do this look a bit myself too, and I'm finding it hard. I always feel like I look too formal in blazers too. I haven't found the right blazer for myself yet, but in analyzing some of the looks that I like (including Alt's), I came up with the following things that seem to help make the look:

1. The sleeves of the blazer need to be scrunched, and the shirt (best in a contrasting color?) should be rolled up at the cuff as well, over the scrunched blazer sleeves.

2. The rest of the outfit needs to be pretty casual; jeans work especially well. I think tighter-fitting bottoms work well with these outfits.

3. Adding heels makes the outfit a little edgy, because the jeans-plus-blazer outfit veers toward androgyny, and the heels help contrast with that. I think that this look also "works" when you can really emphasize a long leg line, which again is helped by wearing heels.

4. The shirt underneath the blazer should generally be pretty loose fitting, either a slouchy tee or a loose button-down. Semitucking the shirt is good.

5. Neutrals work great for these outfits.

Even though this might not be your usual style (although as you pointed out we don't see your weekend outfits), it's fun to try new things, so go for it!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

In terms of images you are pinning for inspiration, you might also pin frequently photographed celebrities that have both a look you like and some physically similar characteristics. For example. Zooey Deschanel for the hair and general coloring. Here is a website I just located that seems rather obsessive but has images of said Zooey in blazers. http://wwzdw.com/tag/blazer/. Or find some frequently photographed person in your height and shape range and see what they wear, just for the heck of it, especially if they wear blazers.

Emily

Veteran

@jennifer, excellent observations, especially the focus being on the outfit wearers' faces, thank you for lending me your eyes

@Suz, yes, of course! I remember that you liked it when I posted it originally, too You're absolutely spot on about the blazers in the pinned looks being the dressiest item in the look. Definitely food for thought. I do like the less-traditional shape of the Lanai, and have been eyeing some similar options...

@L'Aibelle, what an excellent strategy, and it absolutely makes sense! I will include #13 + rolled sleeves in my Blazer dress-up session...

@Gigi, thank you for sharing the fruits of your analysis, especially the point about heels as a feminine element in an otherwise sort of androgynous look.

@Ummlila, LOL! I have been to that website before. Great idea.

Anonymous

I like 13 the best! I love the stripes with the blazer and the black trousers. Looks really good.

Suzanne

Seconding the idea of scrunched sleeves and slouchy tees here. I love blazers but the environment here is way casual, so I often look super dressy ... band shirts, jeans, and sneakers are a good way of counteracting that.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

#13 is my favorite! I would scrunch the sleeves and maybe wear a more fluid top under it. I really like this blazer!