Wearing suit jackets in a casual way? - YouLookFab Forum

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Wearing suit jackets in a casual way?

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I'm sure I've asked this before, but I can't seem to find it.

Anyway, I'm wondering about wearing suit jackets with more casual jeans or skirts. The particular jacket I have in mind is a black linen blend with contrasting white stitching that I am thinking about wearing for an upcoming presentation at a conference. I'm pondering how I can also wear it with jeans and such for the rest of the weekend without looking weird.

I have a couple of other formal jackets that I have sometimes pondered wearing in this way, but I never seem to come up with a combination that looks right. Is there a secret to wearing business-y blazers with casual wear that I have missed?

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

Deborah

Veteran

Mander, you can absolutely wear most suit jackets casually. Have a look at Angie's post here..

http://youlookfab.com/2011/06/.....ral-jeans/

And

http://youlookfab.com/2011/06/.....for-women/

Also take a look at Angie's posts on smart casual and business casual (go to the archives). These should be really helpful.

jayne

Veteran

jeans seems obvious...with a tank or casual shirt under

I have lots and lots of jackets and all of them work over jeans. I like to wear cotton grandpa shirts under, you know those with 3-4 buttons at the next

they seem the right amt of casual to bind the two together. I also a scarf or chunky necklace and heels or booties should help

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I would likely just put the jacket over a white round neck t-shirt, jeans, and a belt. It would be pretty neutral so you could add accessories to your heart's content.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't wear jackets any other way...and I wear jackets ALL the time!

Wear with simple Ts or knit tops, wear with button downs, wear with blouses. Wear with casual skirts as well as jeans. Or with casual dresses. With or without scarves. Accessories up to you.

I think if there's a secret, it's confidence and comfort!

For me, this is THE most comfortable look possible, so it's easy to feel confident in it. I love the high/low contrast. It makes me feel like me.

The only other important factors would be necklines (you won't want the jacket's and the top's to compete in any way), colour (but that's obvious), and the length of the jacket. For my body type, the best jacket to wear this way is one that has waist definition and that ends around the high hip. On me, this length will look good with skirts and dresses (for more formal looks) AND with trousers, tops tucked or untucked. Of course individual proportions and body type may make your perfect jacket length different.

Have fun!

missvee

Veteran

I think if you keep the shoes a little dressier, that will tie the jacket into a more casual outfit, so maybe jeans with a smart flat or wedge, or heel (depending on how much walking you have to do!).

Aziraphale

Veteran

Missvee makes a good point about the dressier shoes. When I wear my suit jacket with jeans, I find it works best with shiny short boots that have a 2.5" chunky heel. That's because my suit jacket is black and formal, so the dressier booties tie it together.

Isabel

Veteran

I throw my jacket over everything. I treat them almost as if they are sweatshirts ( when it is practical ). Otherwise I would never wear them. I am looking for a nice graphic tee that I can wear under my jackets right now.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Like Suz, this is the only way I wear blazers! I particularly like the contrast of pairing a tailored jacket with a denim/chambray shirt or even something as casual as a concert tee. And of course jeans. Shoes can either dress it further up or down. I find it a fun look to play with.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Suz has given a fantastic reply here. I also love the look of a dressy blazer with jeans and tee. It's classic. Play with the look and have fun!

harmonica

Veteran

Suz reply is to the point. And add jewllery, bracelets/bangles, scarf, shoes and handbag to differ the look and how dressy / casual you want to be

Anonymous

I agree with both Suz and Janet's replies. I've picked up suit jackets at thrift stores that dress up a pair of jeans but look casual with the sleeves rolled up and scrunched. The right graphic tee will look fantastic. The length of the jacket may also determine how to wear it best.

christieanne

Veteran

Since it's a black jacket with white touches ( i have a similar linen jacket actually!) I would tie some black into the outfit - either in a black shoe to bookend or a scarf with a little black touch.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Not sure if this helps, but here are a couple of ways I've worn mine.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooh! Gorgeous, Jeneva!!

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

The only real tricks I have are to make sure the jacket and whatever you're wearing underneath have hemlines at different levels and to roll or scrunch the sleeves up. Mixing textures is also a great way to inject a bit of more casual-cool style into a blazer!

ManidipaM

Veteran

I too wear my one and only old suit blazer casually, only --- outgrew the pants! Like Suz said, finding the right proportion for you is usually the key, and as other have said, add a slightly dressier shoes or bag to bridge (don't add rucksack and combat boots!), and also dress the jacket itself down (if possible) by rolling up sleeves, leaving unbuttoned etc. You're already at an advantage with linen --- easy to RATE up its wrinkles!

Inge

(website)

Another look I really like is pairing a dressy blazer with a turtleneck sweater, denim pencil skirt and tougher looking boots (e.g. knee-high Dr. Martens). Not exactly warm weather wear, of course;-)

Meredith1953

Veteran

I want to wear blazers and suit jackets but haven't found the right way to do it yet. I love it on other people.

Sylvie

Veteran

Just like many others on this thread, I only wear my blazers with casual pieces. Last Saturday, I was wearing a pair of jeans and black t-shirt lounging at home. To go out, I threw on a pair of black ankle boots and a grey/black herringbone blazer. Instantly, I was more polished, yet still comfortable and relaxed.

Jeans + casual shirt + blazer.

Easy, peasy. Just do it

catgirl

Veteran

Mander, not sure if this is your style, but check out this link I just found and posted in another thread on British schoolboy style - the tailored jacket worn casually figures prominently, and I love it!

http://www.trendhunter.com/tre.....s/117520/4

Aida

Veteran

I wear all of my blazers casually as opposed to businessy, and blazers are by far my favorite topper. Usually with jeans of varying silhouettes, usually skinnies or flares; footwear can range from heels to flats to boots, with varying levels of dressiness; tops are usually sweaters, button-ups, or tees. I almost always push the sleeves up, and if it's a 3/4 sleeve jacket I'll sometimes let the lower layer sleeve be long underneath.

(If it helps, here are some of my outfits with various blazers: black, orange, gray, red, teal, white.)

MsMary

Veteran

I can't leave the house without a blazer! Here are a few casual examples.

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Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Inspired yet? This thread rules!!
One of my favourite ways is to wear it over a graphic tee with a bit of sparkle. With jeans and a heel, it becomes one of my favourite work or weekend looks. I also wear chunky pearls to tip the balance slightly in favour it dressy, which works for me, but a more casual necklace could have just the effect *you* are after.