In a business world dominated by men, women, like the secretary Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) from the famous movie Working Girl, quickly understood that “In Rome you behave like the Romans”. Is the famous “power suit” an armor, a way to be treated equally, as from suit to suit? At the end of the day, it’s just a coat. But, looking beyond the fabric, we see the messages of emancipation, equality and professionalism that women like Coco Chanel, Marlene Dietrich, Elsa Schiaparelli, Madonna, Donna Karan were conveying to the world. But, at this moment in history, do women still need to imitate the dominance and performance intrinsically linked to the male physique? In order to respond to the present, it is necessary to know history. So we pass before our eyes the main moments of the evolution of the business blazer for women. Originally created as an official piece, the black blazer has seen a real revival in recent years. Designers, stylists or fashionistas have reinvented it in its own way and in its style and included it in a cocktail, formal or weekend outfits. Will see if are blazers in style 2023.
At professional image workshops, one of the aspects I focus on, even if I speak for men or women, is that of buying and wearing a blazer / jacket / cutter that will give you a distinction, in which you will look perfect and to feel that way. One of the rules of business attire and, not only, in being perceived as having a professional air, being credible and persuasive in gaining the attention and time of the other, is the “rule of the third piece”. The skirt or the pants and the blouse / shirt are the first two pieces, and the blazer, the jacket, the cardigan, the vest, one of the key pieces of our wardrobe.
Blazer is a classic piece in structured and general neutral, which came from the male wardrobe for women and gained fresh air to be used in super-feminine and modern looks. Today, you can find colorful and even printed jackets, with different discounts dress very different silhouettes aim and please the most varied preferences.
If your wardrobe consists of pieces with a rather classic or minimalist line, this is not the time to experiment with a peplum jacket or a neon yellow jacket with floral prints. Instead, look for a jacket that matches as many of your outfits as possible, or a model that complements them. This doesn’t mean buying yourself a black or navy blazer. You can try a tweed version in pastel shades with a cut à la Chanel.
If the majority of your wardrobe consists of trousers and shirts, opt for a modern blazer with a minimalist line – without lapels – and straight, in a modern color (nude beige, cobalt blue, light grey). If you wear more dresses and skirts, look for a fitted and colorful jacket with long lapels and a single button closure. For those who are tempted by the floral trend, I recommend starting with a short and straight jacket in a material with reliefs and a tone-on-tone print.
To update your wardrobe, look for a jacket that’s a notch or two dressier (on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being casual/sporty and 5 being evening) than most of the clothes you already have in your closet. Jackets
When I refer to buying a jacket / blazer / tailor, I do not necessarily mean buying a suit. This would be one of the possibilities, another would be to buy disparate pieces, such as a blazer from a fine material with wool in the composition, lined, with or without lapels, with cuts suitable for your body shape that will serve you in many combinations.
The meeting point between the lapel and the buttons. Let’s pay attention to its length. Jackets with a deep V, with one or two buttons are great for women of medium or higher height, because the neckline creates a long line. For shorter girls, it is better to wear darker jackets, with the wrist higher, towards the middle of the chest, with a small wide lapel and with three or four buttons.
The power of the blazer – Not a magical item of clothing, but it has the ability to turn an outfit into one suitable for the street. The trick? Combining the jacket with basic clothing. Therefore, the must-have items will be skinny jeans and white T-shirts. Even with a pair of espadrilles worn by Jessica Biel, you can go to work or shop in style. If you want something more sophisticated, Reese Witherspoon can be your muse. Proceed like her and wear sandals with straps. In addition, you can complete your outfit with a fuchsia bag, to give the outfit a more summery note. You can also make Jessica Alba look like a brightly colored outfit with brightly colored shoes.
What to look for when buying a blazer:
💕 To be vertical – That is, to feel that once dressed embraces our natural, harmonious body. The hem of the jacket should fall exactly, to the right length for you. If it rises in the back, it will be long in front of you, if it rises in the front, it will be long in the back. And anyway, it’s not good and that coat isn’t well built. The collar of a jacket is good to be shaped around your neck, to hug your body, not to stand apart and stiff. It is important to feel how the cutter defines your body.
💕 Neckline – The meeting point between the lapel and the buttons. Let’s pay attention to its length. Jackets with a deep V, with one or two buttons are great for women of medium or higher height, because the neckline creates a long line. For shorter girls, it is better to wear darker jackets, with the wrist higher, towards the middle of the chest, with a small wide lapel and with three or four buttons.
💕 Length – The length of the blazer is an element that many people ignore and that is why they wear the wrong proportions of clothes, which add extra pounds, optically reduce their centimeters. The cuts that will look good on anyone are those at the waist (at the hip bone) or a little below, a few inches below the back. The longest ones should not exceed the tip of the middle finger when you sit with your hand relaxed on your thigh.
The blazer is the most worn item of clothing by influencers. An inspired and seasonal choice, I say. I admit, recently (soon meaning about 5 months), I also became a big fan of this piece of clothing and I validate its versatility. It’s true that I started with a passion for costumes, and from there I continued with my obsession with oversized jackets. The blazer looks good both in combination with a dress made of fine material and with a pair of tights. For a casual look, we can wear the blazer over a knitted sweater, or over a tulle dress and boots.
My favorite combination: a briefcase on the body + oversized blazer + mom jeans + boots. A simple but effective combination. When I say evening, I think of a more elegant outfit. I would choose a black blazer, oversized, fastened at the waist with a statement strap, lace or simple black tights and necessarily heeled shoes: stilettos, ankle boots, or over-the-knee boots. Of course, we can replace the tights with a pair of straight pants, but we keep the heels and the blazer at the waist. The blazer is a piece that is easy to match and wear. It fits and benefits any figure. Moreover, I believe that this trend will remain in the top for a long time – it’s simple and you always need a blazer in your wardrobe, no matter what job you have.
Another nice combo is Oversized blazer + shorts + bustier – For a cool look while still warm, choose to combine shorts and bustier with an oversized blazer! Or oversized blazer + jeans culottes + white shirt – You would say that one wide piece does not match another. However, an oversized blazer and a pair of culottes work great at any time!
Balance the sober air of a men’s blazer by wearing it with a pair of shorts or a skirt in a bright color – fuchsia pink, for example, makes an excellent pair with navy blue. A small boxy bag and a pair of retro shoes perfectly complement the look.
For a casual day look, wear a blazer with rolled up sleeves and a graphic print T-shirt and a pair of slim cotton chinos. A pair of sunglasses with oversized lenses and round earrings are a perfect complement to everything you need for an effortlessly cool look.
If you want to invest in a blazer that is very handy, I recommend a blazer in neutral shades, monochrome and slightly oversized. If you want an interesting blazer, statement, choose one in plaid or with applications (gold buttons).
Types of blazers:
Tuxedo blazer – Such a jacket is shorter at the front and longer at the back. She has tight lapels and it is a bold choice to wear it over evening dresses. In a native clothing landscape, which abounds, most of the time, with seemingly pretentious dresses, but with dubious finishes, materials lacking finesse and opulent accessories, women have forgotten about the tuxedo, one of the strongest and sexiest outfits, expression of freedom, courage and commitment.
The austere air of the woman dressed in a tuxedo has the charm of intuitive sensuality, glimpsed only by a curious mind. Nothing vulgar, no stylistic exaggeration, no evident need to receive appreciations regarding charm, no desire to show off one’s feminine forms. In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent wanted to save women from dresses with an uncomfortable train… by inventing an outfit with a masculine air, which would have allowed the female body to slide gracefully. It was the time when the pants worn by women were not viewed favorably, being associated with the idea of obscenity, and women were constrained by numerous societal norms.
Only in 1968, the women’s movement became popular, with the reading of the novel written by Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, Simone being an ardent defender of women’s rights. Yves Saint Laurent also acted through the levers at hand to liberate the woman, but more than that to give her power, to emancipate her and to find her deserved place, in a desired society without taboos.
Why choose a tuxedo – In a local clothing landscape, which abounds, most of the time, with apparently pretentious dresses, but with dubious finishes, materials lacking finesse and opulent accessories, women have forgotten about the tuxedo, one of the stronger and sexier outfits, expression of freedom, courage and commitment. The austere air of the woman dressed in a tuxedo has the charm of intuitive sensuality, glimpsed only by a curious mind. Nothing vulgar, no stylistic exaggeration, no evident need to receive appreciations regarding charm, no desire to show off one’s feminine forms.
Tuxedo remained a timeless outfit – suitable for highlighting feminine sensuality, in total contrast to the masculine cut. Then declined in bolder versions to be worn, on the skin or over a lace bra, tuxedo is today considered the quintessence of elegance, blurring the boundaries between the stage and the street. So, if you are women who understand that femininity does not mean curls, lace, heels and bright colors, lipstick and strobing, tuxedo is the option for a refined evening outfit.
White blazer – make lasting friendships with: other pieces in neutral colors: beige, gray, black, navy blue. When you don’t know how to bring summer into an all black outfit (because black lovers stay true to the color no matter what the thermometer shows), put a white jacket on top. I also recommend the minimalists who created their capsules in neutral, subtle colors, always elegant, without showing off. And for you, the white jacket will be a reliable companion on warm days together with a thin tank top or a veil dress. It serves the outfit like a white canvas, highlights and frames bringing a perfect balance, it is neither too much nor too little, it brings air supporting the “fire” and vibration of any shade and print, which you find noisy, difficult to wear , difficult to integrate into outfits, and as such rarely left in favor of a neutral piece. Pair it with a white blazer, if there are recipes, this would be one of them.
Black blazer – I am sure that every one of you has a black jacket in your closet, because the black jacket is one of the must-have pieces in your wardrobe. Wearing a black jacket has many advantages. It can be formal, elegant and also can be combined with casual suits. It can also be combined with all colors. You can wear the black blazer with a skirt, shorts, jeans, trousers or dresses. So that means a lot of different outfit ideas.
Boyfriend blazer – Also called an oversized jacket. The boyfriend or oversize jacket, in XXL size, is inspired by the men’s wardrobe, it is wide and unobstructed. He is wearing skinny jeans and is the opposite of a camber jacket. The oversized blazer is an essential piece in the wardrobe. Even if you opt for skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans, or a dress, a jacket will definitely look fashionable! A jacket is easy to wear and instantly transforms a simple outfit into a chic outfit.
It has managed to stay in trend year after year, being one of the most versatile, chic and easy to match pieces of clothing ever created. It can be worn with the most elegant outfits, just as it can perfectly complement casual or office looks.
Without a doubt, the male blazer remains the piece of resistance in an office outfit. If the work environment allows you, do not hesitate to add a splash of color to your sober outfit, with a light-colored jacket or, why not, in a brighter shade. If you don’t want to go out of your comfort zone, invest in a men’s jacket in a neutral color and definitely wear it with dark colored trousers, heeled shoes, ankle boots or moccasins.
Casual fall/winter outfits can instantly take on a chic look thanks to the men’s jacket. Opt for one in a neutral shade, which you can combine with as many pieces of clothing as possible. Wear an oversized jacket over a casual outfit, which includes slim jeans. Dare to adopt an outfit with rock-chic influences, wearing a masculine blazer as classic as possible, with a pair of leather pants and a fitted sweater.
The boyfriend blazer remains one of the most versatile pieces of clothing in a woman’s wardrobe. This item can give a slightly elegant air to a casual outfit, just as it can perfectly complement an elegant look.
Cambered blazer – This is a classic jacket pattern and is usually a two-piece top with pants or a skirt at the bottom. The cambered jacket helps to create an hourglass silhouette, because it emphasizes the waist. It can be worn with any type of jeans, primarily straight or wide jeans, so there is a balance in the volume of the outfit. Can be worn with dresses or skirts.
The basic wardrobe star jacket – The jacket has become an important part of a woman’s basic wardrobe. It is ideal to complete a spring-autumn outfit and even for cool summer evenings. Regardless of what you wear at the bottom (pants, skirts …) or the chosen shoes, a jacket completely transforms you. Classic and timeless, the jacket can sublimate the simplicity of a pair of jeans or can temper the extreme femininity of a dress. The jacket can complement a multitude of outfits, there are models suitable for business, smart, chic, casual occasions: long jackets; oversized models, men’s style costumes, models decorated with bright elements.
💕For a relaxed look that does not take into account trends, choose the jacket model that suits your personality. The most beautiful women’s jackets are first and foremost the ones that match your occasion, outfit and figure.
💕The jacket is designed to emphasize the dignity of the figure and hide other flaws, it will help you to trust yourself and to convey the most beautiful image about you.
💕A jacket made of a quality and fashionable material, simple and well tailored will solve any office outfit. Keep in mind the color code: black, white, gray will be the easiest to match in the wardrobe.
💕The combination of a gray flannel shirt, high-waisted jeans and a double-breasted blazer is ideal for cold weather. If the temperatures drop a lot you can add a slightly oversized wool coat.
💕Molded jackets, without neckline, fit perfectly if you are thin. Skinny jackets, puffy at the bottom, will fit better with women with large shoulders, optically balancing the body in the shape of an inverted triangle. The hourglass-shaped body is highlighted by strongly arched cuts, and the masculine design is perfect both to alleviate roundness and to camouflage their lack.
💕A classic office look with a jacket can be easily transformed from day to night with a few details: add a pair of shoes with high stiletto heels, accessories, plus the right makeup.
Remember:
One of the rules of business attire and, not only, in being perceived as having a professional air, being credible and persuasive in gaining the attention and time of the other, is the “rule of the third piece”. The skirt or the pants and the blouse / shirt are the first two pieces, and the blazer, the jacket and the cardigan.
A well-chosen blazer redraws your figure and posture and conveys self-confidence. Before you introduce yourself, what you wear speaks about you. The advantage of this item of clothing is the ease with which it makes you instantly look dressed up. Around him you can experience looks suitable for every moment of the day and every season. Always present in the gallery of essential pieces, it is the most durable and inspired investment you can make.
Its relevance in the female wardrobe lies in its undeniable chameleon character and core role. Desk-to-dinner, from the office to dinner, works perfectly with the jacket. It easily goes from the foundation of the office outfit to the point of interest of the ensembles of free time. It finishes your appearance and amplifies your presence, giving rise to the expression of creativity. Choose your favorite model and insert it in as many combinations as possible. Don’t forget, naturalness remains fashionable.