School me on wearing blazers and jackets casually ETA SOME CONTENDERS - YouLookFab Forum

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School me on wearing blazers and jackets casually ETA SOME CONTENDERS

Ariadne

Veteran

I've noticed that many of the casual and smart casual outfits I admire on others (online and IRL) involve blazers or jackets of some sort. Colored blazers ( I want a rust/burnt orange one or teal one so badly!), military-style blazers, those lovely Gibson equestian jackets, moto jackets of every variety, tuxedo jackets... I think I'm weary of all cardigans all the time and am craving more structure and polish.

I'm struggling with translating this into my own super-casual West Coast MOTG life, though. Every time I try on a blazer or any jacket other than a denim one or a utility jacket or something like that, I feel like I look like I should be heading to an office. I also feel like my strong shoulder line is emphasized to the point of looking masculine or football-player-ish. Also, In real life I don't see other moms wearing blazers ever, so that adds to the sense of being dressed "wrong". I'm not averse to dressing outside of my environmental norm but I want to feel confident I'm doing it "right" (if there is such a thing). Am I making any sense? Are blazers and jackets always smart casual and never casual-casual and that's why I can't seem to translate the look?

I'd love some tips or thoughts if anyone has any they can share. I feel like this is something I should have absorbed by now but I just can't seem to figure it out. Sorry if I'm a bit incoherent--I have a cold and am tired. But I keep adding blazers to my online shopping carts and them removing them, so I figured it was time to ask for some help

ETA: I've added links to some jackets I'm considering. Can any of these be styled to be truly casual? Do any particular ones look more promising? I'd only buy one or at most two, since if all goes well I will only get 6-9 months of wear out of them.

http://www.thebay.com/eng/wome.....bay/277689
http://www.thebay.com/eng/wome.....bay/277689
http://www.thebay.com/eng/wome.....bay/266237 (in black)
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/gi.....1b2166becc (crimson)
http://canada.forever21.com/Pr.....2000019080
http://canada.forever21.com/Pr.....2000031828
http://canada.forever21.com/Pr.....2018021352
http://canada.forever21.com/Pr.....2000048611

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Ariadne

Mo

(website)

Veteran

This is from some time ago, but has plenty of blazer/jacket examples for you to look over http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....to-outfits

Anonymous

Ariadne, any blazer or jacket seems more casual if you roll and scrunch the sleeves up some and if they are paired with jeans. It also helps to pop a great graphic tee under the blazer so that some of the design shows. Make sure that the jacket fits well in the shoulders, maybe with the seam even in a little rather than out at the edge of the shoulderto control the wide shoulder look. Check the archives for posts on wearing jackets casually.
http://youlookfab.com/2009/02/.....graphic-t/
http://youlookfab.com/2012/09/.....-for-fall/
http://youlookfab.com/2011/03/.....old-watch/

Makrame

Veteran

I used to feel like that but now I am more used to wearing blazers in fairly casual settings. So part of it is just getting used to something new.

Maybe you could start with knit blazers?

KathyL

Veteran

I will be following this closely since I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate blazers into my casual look as well. I have probably a dozen cardigans, but I just bought two blazers that I want to try to wear to work and as a MOTG outfit. From what I've seen, blazers with jeans is a very smart casual look. I've also worn a column of denim as Angie suggested and topped it with a blazer. Can't get more casual than denim on denim!

http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/.....g-accents/

I'm off to study mo's link now.

KathyL

Veteran

Just wanted to agree with Makrame that knit blazers are super comfy and can almost feel like cardigans.

rachylou

Veteran

Fabric, I'd say, is an important factor in achieving a casual look with a blazer. "Smooth" fabrics such as wool gabardine, rayon, and so forth make for a formal look. Stiffer fabrics are also more formal. Cotton twill or "sweatshirt material" blazers are casual. Details like piping and contrasting seams also take out some of the "office." The more relaxed fabrics will also soften the shoulder line.

You might try something with tailored peplum.

Ariadne

Veteran

Taking notes! I've been keeping my eyes peeled for knit blazers but the ones I've found so far were all black and didn't fit me well. Forever 21 has some that look nice but I'm scared to order them online since returning is a pain. The Bay has some as well at the moment but I worry that smart casual is as casual as they can get. I would love it if I could nail this. I'm pretty sure I want to stay firmly in "camp casual" and not smart casual, at least for everyday outfits.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree that knit or something with stretch will give you the right look but also some movement.

Ariadne

Veteran

I added links to some possibilities in the original post, if anyone has time to check them out and chime in

KathyL

Veteran

I think the first two look too structured and stiff to be a MOTG, casual look. Of the ones you linked, the equestrian one looks the most casual due to the ruching on the sleeve and the cut. I think the ponte knit F21 jackets would be good as a starter jacket to get u more comfortable in the look without a huge investment.

Makrame

Veteran

I have last year's Gibson blazer and I think it has a fairly strong shoulder line (which works for me since I have sloping shoulders). I like the F21 options but don't know how they fit and what the quality is like.

What about the Gap academy blazer? They have orange. http://www.gapcanada.ca/browse.....=903293093

Not sure if the contrasting stripe makes it less casual. I have tried it on in store and liked it. The grey/navy version would have been the perfect casual option, pretty low contrast.

Diana

Veteran

I think the INC blazer in black, the Gibson in red, and the last F21 jacket in a color have potential to work for you. In general, I think a blazer looks more casual/less dressy if it is (some or all of the following):
-softer fabrication (like knit)
-more casual fabric (like sweatshirt material, denim, etc)
-not black or navy
-has some "funky" untraditional element (like printed cuffs, or a peplum, or puffed shoulders, etc)
-worn with sleeves scrunched or cuffed
-worn with jeans, soft tops, tees, and other casual items
-an untraditional fit (shrunken, oversized, etc)

I've added a couple of my more casual blazer looks. Both of these are knit and brightly colored. The turquoise Nic+Zoe is a super light, unlined, stretchy knit material, whereas the cobalt one is a slightly more structured, lined ponte knit but it has untraditional puffy shoulders which keep it from being too formal.

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Makrame

Veteran

Yes, that Nic+Zoe knit blazer is the best casual option! Unfortunately, I don't think it is available any more.

rachylou

Veteran

I think the Mix Knit, Gibson, and F21 textured knit are candidates. The peplum on the F21 peplum blazer - I think it's too subtle.

The Mix Knit and textured knit are pretty structured, but the Mix Knit is too interesting to be corporate cog and the textured knit is loosened up by the color.

Ariadne

Veteran

This is really helping me clarify things! Thank you everyone. I'm going to look at the blazers I linked to again the AM when I have a clearer head.
Makrame, I actually bought and later returned that Gap blazer, only in the grey/black color. It felt too preppy on me, and I think it was also a bit too short or too high-waisted or something. If the orange was more muted I would be tempted to try that, though.

Ariadne

Veteran

Ooh, I *love* Jonesy's looks in the thread Mo posted. That's what I want to aim for. Diana, I love yours too, and I know I've seen some looks of Rae's and Una's that I loved.

Vildy

Veteran

I like what she's doing
http://www.jseverydayfashion.c.....ather.html

Jjsloane

Veteran

Jonesy is a great example, also Janet (the jacket queen) and Lisa come to mind for wearing jackets in casual chic ways. I think almost any jacket can be dressed down using some of Angie's formulas and principals, some of which mentioned earlier.

I have 3 colors of the Olivia Moon knit jacket and love them. I wear with dresses to work and with jeans on weekends.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ol.....ltback=500

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay, I am probably not the best person to ask, because for me, jackets are like a second skin. I am the opposite of most people, apparently. I put on a jacket, almost any jacket (assuming it fits) and immediately feel more like myself! And mind you, I live a very casual life in a casual city.

And I even wear ones that might be considered "dressy" as casual - the jacket in yesterday's post, for example, is a vintage Marilyn Anselm for Hobbs wool crepe, clearly meant as a business wear piece originally: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ration-pic

(I also do wear this jacket on dressier occasions as well).

My ideas on how to casualize a jacket are similar to what's already been posted.

* wear with jeans or other casual pants
* wear with rugged boots, booties, or oxfords
* throw on a scarf
* wear it open
* scrunch the sleeves (weather permitting) or roll them
* pick one with texture if you like

This is my very favourite casual look, my uniform for fall/winter. I more or less hate cardigans now. I do have one or two for those days when I want to be super cozy, and because they don't wrinkle, which is nice for packing....but honestly, the structure a jacket gives is so super for me. And it just finishes a look.

I like every one of the jackets you linked to. Any COULD work. You are going to have to try on to see what actually fits you. That is key - fit is everything.

I have a pretty big collection of jackets. Just for fall winter, I have (SO FAR...I can see adding more!):

4 denim or denim-like jackets (these I wear more with dresses and skirts).
1 fuchsia knit shrunken
1 waxed denim moto
1 black crepe (pictured in the link) - vintage
1 dressy black kimono style jacket - vintage
1 navy military style from AT
1 wool houndstooth, belted - vintage
1 consignment tweedy jacket in teals/ blue/ taupe
1 winter white with black dots - vintage
1 glen plaid taupe short jacket - consigned

Yeah, and seriously, I could make a place for more. I wear a jacket almost every single day for six to 9 months of the year, so I don't feel this is too extravagant. It's my signature item and I bought most of these on consignment/ thrift/ vintage or inexpensively.

ETA: nobody around me wears jackets, either, except maybe denim ones. So what? They just get used to it. Sometimes people ask me why I am dressed up. But generally not. Usually they say things like, "WOW, great jacket!"

Anonymous

I agree 100% with Suz and wear even old suit jackets casually everyday. No one comments any more on being too dressy. If they did I'd smile and say I get better service, or something like that.
On the links you added, the straight horizontal pockets of the first and last Forever 21 jackets would be deal breakers for me. The second Forever 21 link has a jacket with more flattering angled pockets, although that really wide lapel might be a problem.

lynne

Veteran

This one from Banana Republic would be a great starter. It doesn't look like much in the picture, but it is semi fitted, knit, and feels like a cardigan. The zipper detail adds some interest.
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=423793002

MsMary

Veteran

Team Knit Blazers here, for sure!

They have a bunch of knit blazers at Target right now for very low prices, including a knock-off of the GAP Academy. http://www.target.com/s?search.....category=0

N-Marie

Veteran

Just wanted to add my support for the knit blazers/jackets. The fabric just looks more casual, and can withstand looking rumpled without taking away too much from the smart look of the outfit.

One significant differentiating point for me is the shoulder construction (I'm an IT as well).

If the shoulder is too constructed or padded, it will make the jacket look more formal/corporate, IMO. I also just find it less comfortable to wear- harder to lift a kid onto your hip or juggle bags + other kid gear. And harder to clean too!

I own a Gibson blazer (pic below, this one in gray: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/gi.....te/3206676) and have a hard time styling it casually - it is still too formal for me and I end up using it in my work capsule instead.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow...it just goes to show you that everybody's different, right? That Gibson one would be easy-peasy for me to wear casually!

I do take the point about the feel in the shoulders, however. Tight feeling shoulders are a deal-breaker for me. I WILL NOT wear it if it feels constricting. So I am very very very fussy about shoulder fit.

I'm not a true IT but I do have surprisingly wide shoulders for my size and I do understand this. Many times I take a slightly larger size than one might expect to get the shoulders to fit right.

My consignment glen plaid jacket is just barely wide enough on the shoulders and I find I am fussy about what I put underneath it. Knits are a good place to begin for that reason - they do have that extra give.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have two small children (5&3) and love jackets but there is one in particular for which I reach for on MOTG days, it is woven, it has structured shoulders, it is of a slightly longer length and is a non corporate colour.

The reasons why I love this jacket so much;
It is cut generously around the arm holes. I can lift my three year old down from the climbing frame with ease.
It is very good to spot clean and dries very fast (it is a poly/viscose mix)
The colour works with the blue/ greys and muted greys in my wardrobe.

However, and most importantly, when I wear this jacket I do not behave differently to when I wear simple jeans and a tee. I have the same ease of movement and do not care if I get muddy footprints on the pockets. Although smart I do not have to treat the jacket as precious and this is noticed by the other Mums IMO.

I hope this helps a little

Below are three MOTG looks with my favourite jacket

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N-Marie

Veteran

I'm taking notes since I'm definitely on the learning curve on this one!

Ariadne, I can really sympathize with the "environmental norm" issue. Where I live, "playground wear" (which is my version of MOTG at this stage of my kid's life) for other moms is very, very gearish, so the more formal the look ,the more outside the norm one feels (not that that is necessarily a bad thing)!

I know if I could find a fitted, constructed blazer that gave me totally unrestricted shoulder mobility (as Suz and RoseandJoan mentioned) I would snap it up in a second! Even if I'm not sure I would have the sartorial nerve to wear it to the playground (I'm not at the point yet of feeling very confident in my own style choices), I bet I could find other casual MOTG uses for it.

Ariadne

Veteran

I think this may be an item I should focus on trying to thrift or find at a consignment shop. I don't desperately need it, I just really WANT it Plus, all the jackets I linked to or that have been suggested are ones I'd have to order online without trying on first and would be difficult to return (except for the Bay ones). Since you're all affirming my impression that fit is both the key to success and a tricky thing to get right, I don't want to risk it.

Vildy, I *love* that mustard jacket in the link you posted! Swoon.

Jjsloane, the Olivia Moon one looks lovely. If I find myself across the border any time soon I'll look for it.

Suz, you know your jacket "stuff"! Wow! I will be referring back to your advice over and over.

Joy, I hadn't even looked at the pockets. Thanks for pointing that out.

Lynne, I almost ordered that BR one a couple of months ago but it's gone from the Canadian site now.

MaryK, next time I'm across the border at Target I will definitely check out their options. Thanks!

N-Marie, I agree. I am allergic to shoulder pads! I remove them from garments quite often. Ease of mobility is super important.

RoseandJoan, thanks for the pics. That's a gorgeous jacket and you look great and very comfortable and MOTG appropriate.