When I saw a friend wearing a blazer about three sizes too big over a basic American Apparel jersey dress a few years ago, I was inspired. This genius (and at the time, novel) pairing of a relaxed dress under a very structured, but slightly oversized outer layer, opened my eyes to the possibilities of wearing a blazer. Before that, I would wear blazers casually with Converse sneakers, but what could usually be described only as businesswear never was much more to me.
The blazer is an excellent tool for layering and the perfect cardigan alternative. If a traditional blazer doesn’t feel casual enough, go with one in jersey. This offers the same silhouette in a more relaxed look. Throw on a cardigan and T-shirt underneath, roll up the sleeves and you have an outfit. This look works over any type of casual pants or leggings and gives you the chance to play with footwear – anything from riding boots to loafers to combat boots finish this basic and versatile outfit perfectly. If a traditional blazer is all you have, but you want to dress it down, simply layer it over a Hanes V-neck and accessorize with long necklaces or a brooch.
My favorite way to wear a blazer is over a dress. I used to struggle with layering formal wear. Most of my cardigans were too casual or didn’t match well, and wearing a wrap is too impractical for most dressy occasions. The blazer is just right. I recommend going with one that’s a little too big, so the proportions look right with a dress or skirt and not like mismatched office wear. Make sure that there is a contrast in silhouette. Blazers should always go over unstructured pieces when outside of a work setting. Pair a blazer with an A-line skirt instead of a pencil skirt to make it clear you’re not going for the business look. For women, I’m usually a fan of literal menswear in a woman’s look, but stay away from men’s blazers because they’ll be too boxy and won’t flatter a feminine figure.
Both formal and casual blazer-wearing invites you to play with color and texture. Jersey, like I mentioned before, or contrasting lapel texture are interesting details. Blazers in neutral colors work best when offset by bright pants or layered over something bright on top. Find blazers in colors at stores like Zara for opportunities in color blocking or brightening up neutral basics.
Men don’t have to feel left out of this trend, either. New trends in color and pattern mixing, plus the ability to layer with vests, ties and even bow ties in casual outfits allow men to have fun with blazers, too. Navy or gray goes a long way in casual outfits, and with a fresh pair of sneakers (not the kind you wear to the gym), you have a sophisticated outfit that’s appropriately casual.
In the past, blazers used to mean business. Now they can be just another item in your repertoire of outfit possibilities.
