Planning future blazer purchases

Recently I concluded that possibly the best formula for work dressing in hot weather for me is jeans+sleeveless woven top+ casual/lightweight (knitted) blazer. I have included the pic of the outfit that made me have this epiphany. I have been busy working on the woven top part, so I am pretty well set there, and I already have plenty of jeans. However, my collection of appropriate blazers is significantly lacking so I am trying to figure out what would be best to purchase.

In addition to this navy H&M knit blazer which is perfect, I also have a navy linen ruffly jacket (2), white/black striped cotton blazer (3) and bright green blazer (4); all of which are lightweight but not that casual. There is also the striped knitted navy jacket (5) which is casual but medium-ish weight. I am planning a trip to a large H&M later this week and hoping to duplicate/triplicate the knit jacket in more colors. I also think I need a long-ish white blazer as all of my white toppers are cropped. My sleeveless woven tops are in following colors: white/ivory, grey, black, white/black, turquoise, navy colorblock, purple-ish pink, lilac, teal/emerald and lemon yellow. All the non-neutral top colors go well will navy.

In order to maximize my outfit possibilities, I am wondering about the following:

1. What kind of long white blazer would be the best to get (not necessarily the ones pictured but something along those lines),
a) cotton one like #6,
b) linen one like #7 or
c) knit one like #8?

2. Duplicating/triplicating the H&M blazer: According to the website, it also comes in stripes, candy pink and orange-y red; as well as heather grey and black. I already have two striped blazers, do not like that shade of pink and need a true/blue red. That leaves black and grey (if I find them in the store). Does it make sense to get a black one? I already own two knitted black blazers, but they are fairly thick and not appropriate for the summer. I also kind of like the idea of having a casual knit blazer in blue red/deep pink to go with all the neutral tops. So, would you:

a) get the black and grey
b) get the black and look for a colored blazer elsewhere
c) get the grey and look for a colored one elsewhere

My budget can fit three affordable (H&M or similar) priced blazers.

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13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

I would do the cotton or linen in white and the knit in gray. Compare the cotton and linen fabrics and go with your favorite (it's hard to see the difference in fabrics on computer screen).
Your formula sounds logical and stylish - you could easily take off the blazer when you are outside and the jackets look so great at work.

bj1111

i would get summer blazers in cotton or linen. i have a thing against knit jackets...not formal enough when i need a jacket, too futsy when i need a sweater.

i think cotton sateen would be super as it could extend into the fall with sleeved shirts. also they look crisp and refreshing in the summer.

Jewell

First of all I love both of your striped blazers!

To answer your questions, I think you should get the white blazer in cotton or linen. I really like the one pictured in 6. I cannot fathom the idea of a black blazer in spring/summer (probably because I live in the south) so I vote for option c: gray blazer and keep looking for a colored one.

Diana

I'd get the cotton or linen for the white blazer. For the H&M blazer, my choice would be black (although I think that I am in the minority here) - I personally think black is seasonless and perfectly appropriate for summer if you are pairing it with summery/casual items. Also, I tend to dislike heather grey on knit items because it looks too much like sweatshirt material to me in that color. Charcoal grey is an entirely different story though.

In all the H&Ms I've been in, I've only ever seen that knit blazer in the navy but I did see a lot of other cottony blazers in bright colors... so you might want to keep an eye out while you are there.

ManidipaM

Depends on the sort of grey it is, but I suspect grey will cross the seasons better and be easier to dress down on a more casual occasion --- which to me would be a consideration with a knit blazer, when looking to extend its use. The fabrication seems a natural for pairing with jeans or coloured skinnies, for example.

For the white, I'm voting linen. I like the extra sheen over cotton, even in less shiny-smooth fabrications (ie not sateen). Also, the heavier weight fabrics and especially blends wrinkle less I think, if that's a worry? White cotton seems a tad less dressy than linen, so for the opposite reasons as the black/grey, I think the more luxe/less common fabric will give you more mileage here for mixing and matching.

I mean that black/grey seems more formal, so dressing it down with a knit to create a casual-to-business garment makes sense. Similarly, white often reads as more casual to me, so dressing it up with a fabric of more flair seems a good idea to create a bridge piece.

Tanya

Thank you so much everybody for your input! I trully appreciate it.

It seems that the consensus is that the white jacket should either be cotton or linen, not knit. I will see what I can find in the stores.

Thank you Christeanne! I think the formula is the perfect solution for the casual lab, that is heavily air conditioned while it is very hot and humid outside,

Bj1111, knit jackets tend to work great for me, as I work in a super casual setting (lab), tend to like to look more polished but do not want to stand away too much from everyone else who dresses super casually.

Thank you Jewell! That makes lots of sense.

Diana, you are right, I have no idea what I will finding the H&M stores, I was going based on what colors were on the website.

ManidipaM, I have attached the stock photo of the grey. I am wondering whether it is too light and I should look for a charcoal instead.

In general, I intend to get two more knitted jackets, and am just trying to figure out colors that would make most sense based on the tops I have. What do we think about this red one?

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right. i forgot about the lab. the knits would work well there. i still vote for a white cotton or linen, with a colored knit. a red would be a great neutral. would a gray knit read like sweats?

I think that you are right bj1111, light heather grey would look too much like sweats. Charcoal would be much better if I can find it. Maybe charcoal and red is a way to go?

Mellllls

i think that red one is beautiful. i also like the gray, it doesn't look like a knit from the photo.

Thank you Mellllls! I will admit that I still do not know what to do. And nice to see you on the forum again!

i like charcoal and red. you could do knits for both.

Kristine

I would go white and red. Black would also be really versatile but I would save that purchase for fall. You could wear black in the summer too, but white and red will give you some lighter and more colorful options.

Someone mentioned Charlotte Russe the other day and I found that they have tons of blazers!

http://www.charlotterusse.com/.....cp=4078198

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Tanya, I just thought of something else. How do you feel about those light-weight soft print blazers Angie wrote about a while ago? They are woven, not knit, but so light and airy and such a joy to wear, I could really see them working for your style, climate and work dress code.
http://youlookfab.com/2012/02/.....ed-blazer/

Thank you very much for your input everybody!

Kristine, thank you! I do plan to check out Charlotte Russe, the red blazer I have posted is actually from there.

Inge, while I love those blazers, I am afraid they would not work at all for my lab as they would stand out waay to much. Int he world of hoodies and t-shirts my knit and cotton blazers already stand out a lot, a trendy print would be too much out of my comfort zone and I would get a lot of stares.

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