blush blazer
Blush Blazers are a go-to for spring and summer that can be worn right into fall… their neutral palette goes with everything!! Without competing to be the focus of your outfit, this blazer keeps you cool from day to night – battling over-air-conditioning and breezy nights. Worn over a tank or blouse with white skinny jeans and nude patent round-toe pumps, you’ve got your summer uniform. Softer and more feminine than beige (although I love Gwyneth’s look too), you can opt for an oversized boyfriend or more fitted style. Even men (ahem Justin Bieber…) are BLUSHING.
blazer’s bests
Photos: Jennifer Garner, Sarah Jessica Parker, Charlize Theron: Splash News
There are three blazers every woman needs in her closet, the school boy (Jennifer’s wearing the perfect example of navy with gold buttons above), a stark or off-white (SJP rocks a boyfriend style off-white above), and a black boyfriend (à la Charlize). This wardrobe staples will take you from day to night, wherever you’re going – whoever you’re seeing – whatever you’re doing. Jackets (blazers) create structure and with the right fit and tailoring, they flatter EVERY figure.
My suggestion for a school boy is charcoal gray or navy with gold buttons. My favorite is J.Crew’s shown below, I own this and wear it OFTEN. Never without a complement! It should be fitted, and have a bit of a crop to it (stopping above the waist). The style works worn open or closed.
For a stark or off-white (worn all-year) choose either a longer boyfriend-style like SJP, or something fitted and cropped. A tuxedo blazer is also great in white. While I love SJP’s look above, my stark white blazer is fitted and cropped-esque. I love it over black skinnies and a long tank.
Black boyfriend blazers came onto the scene with a vengeance. Worn correctly they can be a classic staple – not a passing trend. Charlize opts for white silk cuffs shown off (I’m currently coveting Theory’s heather-gray bf blazer with white and black polka dot cuffs… but I digress). We often see pinstriped cuffs (white with black stripes), while they might be a bit overdone, it can work wonders to adding personal flare to basic black. Black-on-black (below) is safely timeless. Never one to discriminate, you can also give a “girlfriend” blazer a go – with a more feminine fit it’s great in black or navy. Whoever your partner, just give your sleeves two-three rolls and go!
J.Crew’s School Boy Blazer Theory White Blazer Priorities Boyfriend
How to:
- Never wear a double-breasted blazer open, the extra material will flat and add volume to your tummy and waist. I’ve yet to meet a woman who needs or wants that…
- Always dress in thirds, you want your blazer to hit at top third of your body, or after the top two-thirds, for the most flattering fit – halving yourself truncates your height and gives the optical illusion that objects appear wider than they are… (and when it comes close to ending in the middle of your body, keep it open like Jen and Charlize). Thank you Tim Gunn!
- Tailor, tailor, TAILOR. I’ve yet to buy and/or wear a blazer that I haven’t had tailored in some way, shape or form. Whether it cost $30, or $3,000 – it will be worth EVERY penny to accentuate your best figure features. This is especially important with boxy fits like a boyfriend-style.
Enjoy!!
January must-haves: Happy New YOU!!
fashion meets function for a Happy New YOU!!
10 – fashion meets function: a yoga bag that actually fits your entire mat, towel, water bottle, life.
9 – Klean Kanteen – I have this in taupe (very OPI “you don’t know Jacques”), white, black and orange. I never leave home without it and my traveler tea mug. Stay hydrated in style.
8 – lululemon wunder-unders – for the gym, yoga, and worn as “snugger” leggings, they come in full length and cropped styles. Reese Witherspoon wore hers jogging with new fiancé Jim Toth.
7 – stylish workout top – I love a looser top over fitted tanks and tights. Metallics and rich purple are my favorites as my bottoms are always black. This metallic purple’s at the top of my wish list.
6 – Cropped Sweatpants – there’s something about cropped sweatpants that makes them feel a bit more presentable than their full-on ankle or floor-grazing siblings. And of course, everything on the bottom looks better in black. Worn to and from the gym with runners, ballerinas, flips or UGGs – you can run your errands in style.
5 – bright workout jacket – orange is my new pink. I can’t get enough. Gray was my color of 2010, orange and purple are currently tied for 2011. I love them together, against turquoise (no Miami Dolphins shout out intended) – or popping against charcoal or black. Unexpected perfection.
4 – Inspiring gym bag - the right gym bag will call to you to use it. I love my m0851 and LeSportsac weekenders, but Tory Burch’s nylon Palma must be noted. It can be as fun as purse shopping.
3 – Zippered Sweatshirt – this comfy hoodie wears like a military jacket yet feels like comfy cotton. Worn over wunder under or Nike crops it’ll hold your style for hours with perfect button-zipper-clad detail. If you’re going away for a weekend and need one caus-chic outer layer, this is it.
2 – motivating sports watch – time to get a move on. Literally. Wearing a sporty-chic watch will keep you moving fashionably. Michelle Obama’s a fan of purple plastic watches sporty statement.
1 – Nike crops – BEST. CROPS. EVER. I’ve religiously worn Nike running capris since high school. They snug, flatter, wick away sweat and last forever. I’m also a fan of similar styles by lululemon, The North Face, and Adidas (Stella McCartney for Adidas has mastered this look) but Nike’s #1.
“You either worked out today, or you didn’t.” get it done in style.
Because when you look great, you feel better.
