Suit jackets / blazers in 2016

I've recently done a quick reassessment of everything in my closet, as I try to do every few months, and I've got a little 'business/conference/just-in-case' capsule hanging in the back that I usually ignore. It consists of one suit and two additional blazers in suiting fabric (was three, but I pulled one out for donation already). Everything fits, but because I work at home and live in casual central, aka Silicon Valley, I rarely wear any of it. Even at conferences, I am usually fine with pants-that-aren't-jeans and a nice top or sweater with shoes-that-aren't-sneakers. So I wonder if I should keep these items, update them just in case, or just get rid of them and plan to do some frantic shopping if I ever have to, say, go to NYC to meet with a big publisher. Nothing is horribly old or dated - it's all in the 3 to 7 years old range and in good shape.

Some questions:
1. What is the stylish length of blazers right now? I know that boyfriend blazers (low hip to mid thigh) had a moment a year or so ago.
2. Is there any way to wear a suiting-fabric blazer with a smart casual outfit and not look like you haven't kept up with fashion trends since the millenium?
3. Aside from folks that work in conservative fields, is there really any need to have a suit or blazer these days? (I know this is going to be regionally influenced, but even in talking to relatives in the more conservative midwest it doesn't seem like suits are really a thing for women now at all.)

8 years ago

abc

Veteran

Excellent questions. I love me some structure and blazers fit that bill but I am following along to make sure I'm not off my rocker

crazyone

I wear blazers super casually, like even on the weekends to go to the grocery store, or to travel on a train, etc. Maybe this is less relevant for you living in Silicon Valley where it's warmer, but I think they're the only way of wearing a warm layer over a full sleeved blouse or dress. Blouses tend to bunch up under cardigans unless they're short sleeved. I have like 10 blazers or jackets and wear them all the time. But maybe I'm not keeping up with trends!

Not sure about the stylish length, but I think different clothes necessitate different lengths?

Suits don't seem to be necessary outside of conservative fields or interviews, but I don't see why you can't wear a blazer just out and about...at least I do. It seems weird to wear a suit just out and about (or even to work unless you're giving a presentation or something), but I don't find it weird to wear a blazer in that way.

One thing I never do is wear blazers with flared pants. Either with dresses/skirts or with skinny pants. Somehow the blazer+"work pants" reads dressier/more conservative.

BTW, I also work in tech.

shaz

Active Member

I wouldn't update for a just in case if the items are not something you would usually wear. I wore a suit blazer with jeans boats and a little top recently on a night out as I only own one really horrible cost I just rolled up the sleeves added a bracket and it looked good mind you I'm terrible at dressing but just an idea maybe keep what you have or at least the nicest bits / classic items out of what you have and play around with a bit of mixing and matching to create new looks or update what you have with accessories and newer items in your wardrobe

LaPed

I've really come to love casually styled blazers. I certainly don't need them, and don't own a single matched suit, but I have a couple cold-weather blazers and a couple warm-weather ones. It's an easy way to add structure and polish to a pair of jeans, and I agree with those who've noted they're easier to layer with than cardigans.

I get the impression that the mainstream is still opting for a slightly longer length with fairly deep lapels, but I've also seen some very cute cropped ones this season, which is more my personal preference. Also makes sense with the higher-waisted pants styles taking over. Of course, body type is a big factor, regardless of what's trending... FWIW I'm also seeing a lot of contrast piping right now, and folded-back surgeon-style cuffs.

One thing I've never understood is who buys those brightly colored suits that show up in department stores like Macy's--the only people I have seen wearing them are female politicians. The colors make them inappropriate for interviews or law or finance jobs and almost every other job (other than politician or newscaster) is too casual. Perhaps people wear them to church?

Rappers in the 80/90s I don't know I have only ever seen brightly colored suits in music videos and maybe the odd movie but never in everyday life

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

To clarify a bit: I have jackets in more casual fabrics - ponte, twill, cord in the winter - that I wear fairly often. It's the suiting fabric ones that I struggle with finding ways to 'casualize'.

UmmLila (Lisa)

I love blazers and jackets. I agree that taking a suiting blazer or jacket and mixing it with other pieces can be very tricky; some of them just have that look of not wanting to mingle. Most often it's the navy or pinstripe light wool or poly crepes that squabble with jeans, or the short nipped in ones that look like they miss their skirt too much. The longer boyfriend ones can be easier to manage.

Aquamarine

Good questions re: blazers. It seems like we only see moto jackets and all sorts of cardigans as toppers. I have hung on to a few casual, shorter blazers but have not worn them in at least 2 years. I do have two suits left in my closet, but am just about ready to get rid of the black one since it has not seen the light of day in quite a while. My job is casual, my life even more so.

Interesting questions, thanks for raising them.

Anonymous

I wanted to respond to your third question, about whether you need a suit or blazer in a casual environment like Silicone Valley. I work in tech, on the techy end of the business, and there is no need for a blazer in this environment, even for an interview. For the people in the finance, legal, and marketing departments, they definitely do need and wear blazers.

I'm with Umlilla in feeling that many/most? suit blazers look just like that when worn without their matching piece: a suit blazer . Depends on the quality of the fabric and the cut/style. You mention "in case i need to go and see a big publisher in New York". I work in publishing and although it's still a conservative group at the senior executive level for the big multinational publishers, you rarely see suits worn by anyone else at the creative and sales levels. 7 year old suits are getting past their best-buy date unless they are real classics - I wouldn't bother keeping those ones. Newer ones you could still wear if your "supporting act" (to use a YLF term) of pants and blouse or knit top were current or even a little fashion forward. Just my two cents worth

rachylou

I like to wear suits with t-shirts. Relaxes the look. But my suits also all have something a little offbeat about them to make them go down in Silicon Valley.

hmm, I wear a classic navy schoolboy blazer all the time, with jeans, skirts, dresses, etc, so I disagree that navy itself makes something less versatile I do agree that some suit jackets can't be worn independently, but it really depends on the cut of the jacket more than anything else. A black jacket might be the most versatile if you're trying to repurpose a suit! I can't speak to the suiting part of it because I hardly ever wear the jacket that goes with my suit (it's a 3/4 sleeve...but the suit was the perfect color and fit).

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Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. Lisap, I'm glad to hear that suits aren't that common in publishing either, at least on the editorial side. The NY editors I've met were artsy polished, most of them, but not suit people.

I think for now I'll keep the ones that aren't clearly dated, and try to mix them in with my everyday items on dressier days. If that doesn't succeed after a few months I'll let them go.

I feel like the cues that used to signal dressiness or seriousness have all been dismissed these days - freeing in one way, but also makes it hard to know what to wear to different occasions.

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