How would you modernize classic jeans and a blazer?

Chris987

One of my favorite classic outfits is straight leg dark wash jeans, a classic black blazer, and black western-ish ankle boots. A white shirt is one top that works but the possibilities are endless.

How would you tweak this outfit idea to make it more modern classic? Include accessories...

Would love to hear all your ideas, thanks!

9 years ago

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I would add a pattern blouse or a high Low hem top. Push up the sleeves of the jacket and add a funky cuff.

Add a chunky boot or bootie.

A fashion forward shoe.

9 years ago

Murph11

Veteran

Exchange the white shirt with a bow blouse and add a bold, non black, non western-ish statement bag.

9 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Great ideas LeDonna....! Thanks!

9 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I find that the best way to modernize any outfit are very trendy shoes. Thus I would substitute the black western boots some really current pair, and wear a top in a current cut or color.

9 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

A graphic tee?

9 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

Love these ideas! Yes to the shoes!

9 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

With trendy jeans and blouse:

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9 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Great ideas here - I really like the question of "How do you modernize a ________ outfit?"

9 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

I usually add a graphic tee. Trendy shoes are another easy option (at least for me since I enjoy shoes).

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Trendier footwear is my number one vote, and an of-the-moment top. So make the white shirt a bow blouse.

9 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Great ideas everyone, and lots of similar comments.

Murph11 good idea on the bag.

Tanya, you nailed it, modern footwear and a modern top.
Seems so obvious now that you say it

Elizabeth P a graphic T would be good too, although between
being picky about design and not ever finding ones that fit I don’t have very
many of them.

RobinF, agree that shoes seem to be one place to start.

Angie, good idea, I just did a quick inventory of my jeans
and I definitely need to introduce some more modern ones. Like the blouse idea too.

Texstyle, that question resonates for me in a lot of
wardrobe categories

Sara L another vote for graphic T and updated shoes…thanks!

Suz – I agree that shoes are the #1 place to start
and I’ve already ordered a bunch of candidates. Will also think about bow
blouses.

9 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

This is so fun--like Multiple Outfit Lab and SYC's !

Angie's pic used several updates, I think, with the jean style, bow blouse and semi-maximal pattern mix.
But the takeaway is you could :
A) update just the jeans and wear all the other same items and have a pretty big impact
b) wear same jeans but add one or more of shoe, blouse, maximal mix,
c) see Janet's thread on Straight Jeans--could roll them if they adapt to that and consider b) items

I like these considerations because I want to keep re-mixing items when I can and not feel everything has to BE new to LOOK new, or to get ideas for small updates and refreshers. I like getting ideas for major style-shifts/game-changers and also ideas for clever and inexpensive tweaking.

9 years ago

tulle

Veteran

Great suggestions, everyone, and I hope they keep coming, because I think we are all looking to update some classic outfits. Thanks for posing the question, Chris!

9 years ago

Colette

Veteran

This is a great question that I ask myself all the time. I love wearing blazers so I just throw them on over everything. Roll the sleeves, scrunch the sleeves, let shirt tails and sleeves stick out. Add a collage of brooches. Today I wore a tank and jeans and threw on a blazer when I ran out.

ETA, I like what unfrumped wrote. I still very much like many of my older clothes and don't always want to wear or buy new things. I like remixing old wardrobe favorites in new ways.

9 years ago

Sally

Veteran

I'm finding this interesting. Id like to see a picture of what jeans you have Chris to get ideas. The picture attached are my favorite jeans.I have 2 pairs..are yours similar? They are straight jeans...I don't want to crop them. I suppose I could cuff them. I might try the trendy shoe suggestion with a cuff

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9 years ago

Traci

Veteran

I think everyone has thrown in great suggestions for updating the shoes, jeans, and shirts. Do also consider updating the blazer. I posted for feedback all the jackets in my closet and I noticed many of them that I thought were the right length got votes of too short from the ladies here. That made me notice that blazers do tend to be hanging a bit lower these days. You may also consider a blazer with no lapels or more drape or a stronger shoulder, perhaps even an extended sleeve?

9 years ago

Anonymous

It's all about the shoes, in my opinion. I also like the idea of wearing a bow-tie blouse, though in my case that would not feel updated, as I wore blouses like that in the '70s. A blazer with shoulder pads would be out, too, as that was what I wore in the '80s. I would seek a fresh look, if there is such a thing.

9 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

Unfrumped, yes Angie did show quite a few options. Your a,b,c, suggestions are great, I may try them in just that order! I too like to remix items and not just buy everything new. It's somehow more creative and fun that way for me. I love the idea of being clever and inexpensive!

Tulle, thanks for the positive vibes!

Collete, great ideas, I never think of scrunching sleeves on jackets. I need to come up with a checklist of ideas and post it in my closet.

Sally, great comment, I'll have take some pics of my jeans. A small and rather boring collection I'm afraid, but ready for improvement.

Traci good ideas if I want to update the blazer itself.

BC I know what you mean about the bowtie blouses, I wore them in the 70's too so they would not feel quite as updated as for someone who has not worn them. It's also a bit girly for my style but never say never. I totally remember those wide shoulder pads! We could do a whole separate forum topic to reminisce about "business traditional" fashion in the era of Joan Collins and Dynasty My favorite memory was a purple linen skirt suit with very wide shoulders.

9 years ago

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