Structured spring-summer layer help

Katherine

I wear a daily "uniform" of 3 pieces: pants or skirts (about evenly), a top, and a blazer. I'm looking for ideas for a structured layering piece that "reads" like a blazer, but has temperature weight for spring and summer (A/C). I wore out a linen blazer in black a few year ago, so that's an idea. I'm a creative dramatic traditionalist if you can imagine that.

Other key features for particular features: I'm broad shouldered, hourglass, and long waisted. Translates into single-breasted with at least 2 buttons. I'm happily silver-topped, and prefer cool-tones. In fact, to simplify the mix and match, I limit my colors to neutrals in black, white, or light grey, and accents in true red, Royal blue, Royal purple, and a blue-leaning Aqua.

If anyone loves the hunt, I'm happy for some ideas.

5 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Anonymous

Are you committed to a blazer? Moto jackets in all kinds of fabrics are big this season, and are great for office wear. Is a bomber jacket too casual for you? I wear them in all kinds of fabrications and colours (florals, pinstripes, solids) on days when I want a break from a more formal blazer. A sleeveless trench might be cool too.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This is clearly the wrong colors, but would something like it in your colors work as a warm weather "blazer" for you?

ETA some Anthro kimonos that might work. Most are much less floaty than I think of as a kimono.

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....&type

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....4&

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....;type=STAN

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....0&typ

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....41&am

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....e=STANDARD

Anthropologie

Rose Bush Kimono

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5 years ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

The "moment" for these may have passed, but I am loving my long sleeveless vests and gilets for this purpose. I have three, black or white, in hip, thigh, and knee length. I especially like the effect layered over a sleeveless top in the same colour.

5 years ago

Gretchen

Veteran

Have you looked at Nic+Zoe? They do a lot of “blazer-like” toppers that are lightweight. I have an open weave cardigan in orange from 2 seasons ago, and picked up the pink in finds this season.

Neiman Marcus

Nic + Zoe Fancy Fringed Jacket

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5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I echo the ladies. All options are good ones, and here are some examples:

Scotch & Soda

SCOTCH & SODA Reversible Printed Bomber Jacket

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Nordstrom

SCOTCH & SODA Scotch & Soda Reversible Print Satin Bomber Jacket | Nordstrom

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Boden

Wren Biker Jacket

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Ann Taylor

Textured Tweed Moto Jacket

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Banana Republic

Bouclé Moto Jacket

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Ann Taylor

Quilted Tweed Moto Jacket

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Nordstrom

Nic + Zoe NIC+ZOE Playful Sweater Jacket (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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White House Black Market

Tweed Sweater Moto Jacket

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L.K.Bennett

Myia Red Tweed Jacket

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Nordstrom

IRO IRO Fringe Trim Open Jacket | Nordstrom

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5 years ago

delurked

Veteran

I’m following along. I would love to find toppers that work for my warm climate. I like the look of many above, but realistically most of what’s shown would be my winter weight, even if they look more springy.

I think the kimonos are a possibility, though not as structured. And moto jackets do work for my broad shoulders, but will get too hot shortly.

I would also take a look at Chico’s, as they have some jackets that might be the right type of thing for you.

5 years ago

Helena

Veteran

What Lisa said!

5 years ago

Anonymous

Creative dramatic traditionalist-this will be fun
Kimonos are fun, but do not work to layer over-same with other loose sleeves and ponchos.
I use a lace blazer and a drapy short ruffled jacket as indoor toppers, same with flowy cardis.
I wouldn't recommend Chicos for jackets for hourglass. Haven't been in in a long time, but they tend to be very boxy (and they put clothespins on the back to fake a better fit on the manequin).

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

ST, Anthro is VERY loose with the word “kimono”. You mention a lace jacket. That’s exactly what I would call the thing at the last link I posted above. I think “kimono” fits with the image they want to project, but they apply it to way too many jackets and cardis, imho. Completely agree with you on the body fit at Chico’s.

5 years ago

Katherine

(website)

Active Member

Huh. I thought I posted a response yesterday, but it’s not showing. Tech 1, Katherine 0. I’ll try again…
Thanks, team for the suggestions. They help me further refine what I like and don’t like—always a good thing before shopping so no strays follow me home.

Lisa P & torontogirl: What I like about blazers is that they (typically) show my waist—which I rediscovered a few years ago, and like to see. That means a bomber isn’t really an option, but I’ve been exploring motos. And a sleeveless trench sounds interesting.

FashIntern: You are right about Anthro’s broad idea of a kimono, but the lacy more fitted and shorter options on your list have my eye. I’ll have to think about that last one.

L’Abeille: I’ve been thinking about vests…just long enough that you might be right about the moment passing. But I shop second-hand, so there is likely a closet clean-out for someone else that will be my treasure trove.

Gretchen: Nic + Zoe hasn’t been on my list. I’ll check it out.

Angie: I’m not surprised that you have some great ideas, and the pictures always help! That BR moto… I’ve been thinking about adding a lighter “neutral” like sky blue to work better in the warmer months, and that might just be it, especially if I can match the color for a skirt and slacks to have a suit-ish option.

Delurked and SunTiger: Moto works for broad shoulders? That’s helpful info. I checked out Chico’s, and have to go with SunTiger on this one… not enough shaping for me (and I just saw pins in a store to shape a top last weekend… SO frustrating because it changes the whole style of the piece).

5 years ago

Anonymous

I'm a hourglass, secondary IT and would consider a moto! But-without any sort of epaulettes or other visual clutter. Probably collarless. Angie did a post about them recently and there's quite a variety.

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Have you tried sleeveless jackets? Sleeveless dusters.? I have one in unlined black lace with extended at the shoulder to look like a cap sleeve. It gets popped over a black sleeveless dress for texture and a bit of modesty and AC protection. EF often has a summer jacket of unlined handkerchief linen. I have one that is styled like a jean jacket in white linen that I would wear every day if I could. It is a past season style but worth a look on EBay.

4 years ago

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