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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Just realized something crushingly obvious

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Remember a few years back when the first thing the What Not To Wear folks (both shows, actually) would do is get somebody into a fitted blazer, especially to wear over jeans and other smart casual outfits? I feel like I've been trying to do that for way too long and just realized something. What I need is not traditional shaped blazers, whatever fabric they're made of: what I need is things that function as blazers (ie can be worn as both outerwear and indoors) but that have a little unexpectedness to them as far as cut or styling. I don't plan to abandon traditional blazer shapes entirely - a one or two button blazer looks good on my shape, I think, which probably part of the reason I've stuck on it for so long - but I am definitely going to look for one or two unexpected shapes in the same general family.

This revelation brought to you by my faux leather round neck jacket from Nordstrom, which I have worn like crazy since I got it around Christmas.

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from theanonymousdame

MsMary

Veteran

YES!! Bomber jacket, maybe? Moto jacket? I am finding the same thing. Even a cardigan can serve the same function for a casual look.

April

Veteran

Can you post a picture, or maybe a link to the jacket, to help me understand how this jacket differs from traditional shaped blazers? I'm having trouble visualizing it.

catgirl

Veteran

Brilliant!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yep, the key is structure. I love moto jackets for this! Same concept, more casual, rock'n'roll style.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Interesting. I am not a conservative gal, nor do I do businesswear, but I have like 4 blazers. Hmm.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's "the third piece" -- the star of the show, often. And yes -- it doesn't have to be a blazer. Could be anything, really.

viva

Veteran

I'm trying to wear more of these. Must see some pics of you in this fabulous piece for inspiration.

Anonymous

I too have realized this- how the addition of something simple like a cardigan or scarf can make an outfit. I am not comfortable in structured jackets, so realizing the other "third element" options has been eye-opening.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

MaryK, I think trying to upgrade from cardigans is what got me in this trouble in the first place. But you're right, even a cardigan is better than nothing and there are cardigans with structure and cardigans without. I'm not sure about the bomber jackets for me - that blousing at the waist makes me uneasy - but I have been looking for a moto styled jacket this winter.

April, I think I posted a K/R when I first got the jacket, but I'm on the tablet so I can't look up past posts easily. Will try to do so later.

Mo, at last count I think I had 12 blazers. Embarrassing since I don't even have an office job.

Suz, Alaskagirl, both of you utilize these in your outfits - definitely part of my inspiration. Viva, I'll try to find a pic, or take one at some point - don't know how truly fabulous it is but I do think it works for my style/life.

rachylou

Veteran

Very insightful. Food for thought.

E

Veteran

Yes! As Suz said, it's all about the 'third piece.' I read a post about it ages ago on a minimalist blog & now try to make sure I have one (although I'm more partial to cardigans than jackets). I've found scarves & belts can function this way too.

cciele

Veteran

Great realization! I think I've given up on the idea of a standard blazer too. Moto jackets all the way

Susie

Veteran

Yep! Today I am wearing the jacket I showed here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....my-uniform

It gives me structure, but I prefer it to a basic blazer because of the texture.

Suja

Veteran

Yes! I have thought about this before. I love traditional blazers and they look great for the office but they are hard to style in a way that is hip, cool, or casual. I have been looking for "fun" blazers because I think they work better with casual wear AND make professional clothes look more fashion forward. That said, I still love the traditional blazer for the office.

unfrumped

Veteran

Great insight!

I have had related experience with finding "jackets". I really like some blazer styles but have encountered some trouble with getting the resulting outfit to look modern and not frumpy. Sorry to use that loaded word, but it seems closest to the mark.

if you notice, frequently they are shown styled with high-heeled dress pumps if is a trouser suit, or at least some heel--very seldom shown styled with flats, except now with ankle pants, or would be styled over a killer dress.

What i realized is that my basic outfit under the blazer runs pretty classic or tailored , and so a very classic or tailored blazer style took it too far in that direction.

Juxtapose, juxtapose. I was learning that I either had to go as far as I could in the modern direction for pants and footwear, if combined with blazer, or if I needed flat shoes and tailored trousers then the jacket had to have some other quality--more fitted, more feminine, or more modern somehow--or needed to create a skirt outfit for the same effect.

Anonymous

I work in a casual office, so traditional blazers aren't really appropriate. Still, I like to wear that all-important third piece to look and feel more pulled together. Most of the time I wear blazers that are not traditional but not too casual, if that makes sense. My overall look should still be professional.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I think there are blazers & there are blazers. If the cut, the fit & the fabric are all great then I love a blazer it goes over everything

Gigi

Veteran

I have no blazers because they're just not "me." But the blazer that Pam posted not long ago was something I would have worn: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ket-advice. She calls it a "jacket" in her post.

I too have been wondering what to get for that "third piece." I am still on the search for a moto jacket, but what is there beyond cardigans if one doesn't like blazers?

I did buy this little baby a while back:
http://www.whitehouseblackmark.....5&=

So far I haven't been able to style it in anything other than a traditional way. But I haven't been wearing it enough to try it out in other outfits...it's just been too cold. The jacket isn't close fitting, and right now I need close-fitting layers.

MsMaven

Veteran

Very insightful, Unfrumped. I'm going to experiment with your ideas. Last year I bought two blazers and have hardly worn them. For at least two decades I wore blazers all the time, but now I put one on and think that it looks a bit matronly and I try something else. I think part of the reason, too, is that my body has changed as well as fashion.

always trying

Veteran

try a tuxedo style blazer. I have one that I did not originally think I would wear much, but it is getting a lot of wear. also saw some new rushed sleeve ones in ponte that I am considering. One has some rushing like on the sides too and is very cute.

Gigi

Veteran

Always Trying, the ruched blazers sound interesting. Can you give us some links? I haven't seen any.

nancylee

Veteran

Good realization, Laura. I feel the same ambivalence toward traditional fitted blazers. They have their place (and I own a couple), but I find myself choosing unconventional toppers like kimono jackets, long cardigans, and moto or drapey jackets more often.

Deborah

Veteran

Was the jacket the one featured in this post?

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....her-jacket

For me it's the comfort factor with non-traditional blazers. Sometimes I just feet too constricted.

fuzzylogic

Veteran

Looking forward to seeing what modern interpretations on a blazer and funky alternatives tickle your fancy, Laura!

I do like a blazer. So classic. So neat. Okay, which of you said 'so boring'..... I heard you, you know...!!!

krishnidoux

Veteran

I agree, I've had this realization myself. Which means finding a topper is even more difficult! Indeed, cheaper stores offer even a traditional cut blazer (Zara, Forever..), but seldom do they offer the type of topper you are taking about. I have found that really well cut, sturdy cardis can do the trick too, depending on the shape and style (for example, for me, cropped cardis).

Adelfa

Veteran

I noticed that a former colleague always wore a topper and it was never a blazer. Safari jacket, military jacket, jeans jacket.... I wish I'd taken notes because she always looked so good. She wore them over business casual pieces, and she always looked put together but not too stiff which was nice for being Finance Director in a fairly casual environment.

Julie

I have found that a blazer seems so constricting sometimes...but a cardi usually will do the trick!

theanonymousdame

I've found that the Sidney jacket at J. Crew works for this look. Functions as a blazer, but has a little funk to it.