How to wear a blazer over an untucked top? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to wear a blazer over an untucked top?

catgirl

Veteran

Shannon's perfect outfit post today had me wondering what the right proportions are for a blazer over an untucked tank or blouse. How much blouse length needs to show for a proportionate look? A tiny bit might seem like it's not intentional, too much may be sloppy.

Are there any thoughts on what makes sense here, since I'll probably be doing a lot of longer untucked looks this summer?

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from K. Period.

Anonymous

I do this all the time - and yes, I have either a good few inches showing (or more) or I make sure top and jacket are the same length. How long is too long ? Depends on the cut of the jacket . My shorter and "flipper" jackets don't look right with too much length showing . Longer, narrower cuts seem to handle more length. Tunics don't look right though - know what I mean?

unfrumped

Veteran

Haha. I was thinking of starting a thread on "tops to wear with jackets".

For either casual or business casual or maybe, " I already work here" , I can wear some of the "new" (because it used to be completely a no-no!) shorter-over-longer jacket and top. I have found proportions very case-by-case--shape, colors , fits all seem to affect my "eye" for what looks sharp vs. sloppy.

However, when I was recently in some more formal work meeting./interview type situations, I did not want to wear any tops hanging below jacket. I did want untucked. And, not sleeveless.

That put me somewhat in conflict with the top lengths that are best when I may be sans jacket. So I found a kind of wardrobe hole for tops that are great with a jacket and acceptable if jacket removed even though might not be the fave for no-jacket. Not too fluid or they bunch. Not too fitted or might not like jacket removed. Higher-end fabric for the best-foot forward situations (actual material not as important as how it "reads").
Neckline just so. And the right colors!

I actually have one top, a Theory mixed-media burgundy silk + cotton thin longsleeve with a draped front, straight hem, that worked the best.

Higher-quality knitwear is fine for this, but has been hard to find the right weight, length, drape. A dressy T style can work for short sleeves. Or the perfect silk short-sleeved top. So sometimes it might mean I would need buy petite on purpose for the shorter length!

So, I am going to keep an eye out for one or 2 tops of this sort. Usually a solid neutral or near-neutral.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Thanks for the shout out Una

Agree with Lisa - I also think it depends on the shape and silhouette of the top.Too long a more fitted tank looks off to me whereas the same length in a soft drapey blouse looks better IMHO.

Diana

Veteran

This is the only way I wear jackets these days since I don't like to tuck. I think both longer or shorter tops work fine although I do strongly prefer the top to be looser fitting around the hips if it's longer than the blazer. A tight top sticking out under the blazer always looks odd and unintentional to me.

I personally prefer the top to be either longer or shorter than the jacket, and not exactly the same length. But that's probably to do with the fact that I'm bottom heavy and prefer not to have that strong unbroken horizontal line there.

ETA: also depends on how formal/conservative you need to look. I pretty much never need to dress in a businessy way, so it's all good for me. But I think the longer top sticking out under the blazer is a little more casual.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Una, this is a good question. I agree with what Lisa says about the shape of the jacket being a factor. Actually I think the shape of the top matters too (i.e. how "flowy" it is) but I don't have a rule or a formula. I just eyeball it. I think that having a couple of inches of shirt showing beneath the jacket generally looks good, but miles of fabric doesn't.

K. Period.

Veteran

I'm with Aziraphale. I think the shape of the jacket is key. It dictates whether you need a slimmer fit on the shirt and how long the shirt needs to be. I think you also need to take into account how structured the shirt and the jacket are.

Today I'm wearing a boxy, cropped tweed jacket. I'm wearing a fitted striped tee under it. The tee is several inches longer than the jacket and I think the proportions work.

LaPed

Veteran

I suspect this is 100% case sensitive. I can think of lots of potential rules, and an exception for every one of them. Maybe in general the shorter-over-longer skews a bit more arty/casual/cool?

But what about the longer boyfriend style blazers that have been popular the past couple years? I can't imagine trying to go longer underneath one of those (getting into shirtdress territory then), and even same-length would look off to me. I think in that case you'd need a top that's shorter than the jacket, no?

always trying

Veteran

I agree with others here. Except for formal business attire it all depends on the cut, shape and proportion of a both the top and the jacket, and your own body proportions and size. What looks good on one person may not necessarily work o another.

Robin

Unfrumped- I didn't see recent WIW to see if they'd be wildly off for you, but the Boden ravello top is very popular for the scenario you're describing. It's just the right length to wear untucked under a jacket in a formal environment while looking okay without the jacket.

rachylou

Veteran

Good question. I feel how close the jacket fits at the hem matters. And also two straight hems generally seem odd...but I'm sure someone could prove me wrong.

Aida

Veteran

On my phone so can't provide visuals but to me it's more about how you balance the bottom half against the top: how much skin is showing, heel/shaft/vamp height, width of pant leg, etc. Long-over-reallylong is certainly doable. Will try to dig up some photos for you a little later

Echo

Veteran

I have several tops that are longer in the back than they are in the front, and I find they work quite well with blazers. The front isn't long enough to extend beyond the blazer hem, but the back is considerably longer. It looks intentional and proportional to me. Generally, though, I try to buy longer toppers, especially to wear with pants. That way they either usually cover the hem of the top, or the two sort of alternate showing on the bottom, depending on how I am moving. Then again, I work in an elementary/middle school, so it probably isn't as formal as many other people might need or desire for work.

MsMary

Veteran

I do this all the time. Today I wore my J Crew moto blazer over a Nine West silk tee, and there was a good 8 inches showing in back because the jacket is shorter in back. I felt like it looked kind of fun and unexpected and I liked it a lot.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like shorter over longer or longer over shorter by at least a couple of inches. I prefer the top and jacket not to be too similar in length for the same reason as Diana. I think longer tunics can be a bit tricky with really short jackets but I have seen it done successfully. Some of my tunics are so long I just treat them in the same way as a dress.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I don't tuck and do wear blazers, but don't know the answer. I look forward to the promised visuals.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I echo Diana! Longer or shorter works. If both toppers are the same length, it can look a bit boxy. Also, I find the "tuck and blouse" look sometimes flatters. With soft tops that have enough length, I can tuck them and actually arrange them (with the folded drape) to look like a cropped top. This works best with low to midrise pants, and is an awesome option with my elastic waist pencil skirts.

Colette

Veteran

This is a good question and one I struggle with. I don't have an answer but I think LisaP, LaP and others explained it well.

kkards

Veteran

another one who does this all the time....i found some examples from finds that i think work well.

Banana Republic

Raw-EdgeTweed Moto Jacket

$178.00 $104.99

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6

Open Front Blazer (Regular & Petite)

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Fancy Fabric Jacket

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Cropped Denim Jacket

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Sparkle Diamond-Print Blazer

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Collection French tweed jacket

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Halogen Zip Front Tweed Jacket (Regular & Petite)

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2

catgirl

Veteran

Great answers and visuals. I imagine Aida will have this analyzed down to the millimeter, so I'm looking forward to that. I have been off blazers recently because of my swollen midsection, but would like to go back to them in the fall!

celia

Veteran

I am also with Diana on this one, and I guess for the same reason.
Sometimes I use the semi tuck and with higher waist skirts or cullotes will fully tuck.

Anonymous

For me, it's shorter over longer, with both blouse & jacket having a rather close fit. Body skimming, not body con.

K. Period.

Veteran

Diana and Celia make an interesting point! But I think body shape is an essential part of that equation. I'll wear looser tops with shaped blazers. But since I'm IT inclined, I really like to anchor my midsection with something fitted under my boxy blazers. If I wear something loose or floaty, it creates bulk right before my hips. I don't have a distinct swell to my hips, so I can't take advantage of that lovely transition to show off my (non-existent) waist. Instead, with boxy blazers and loose tops, my hips and the tops turn into one big tube.