The boyfriend blazer is an oversize jacket that’s a cross between a man’s coat and the top half of a well-tailored power suit. Walking the fine line between masculine and dainty, the boyfriend blazer has been epitomized by the likes of fashion queens Alexa Chung and Lauren Conrad, and looks as good running afternoon errands as it does over dinner and drinks. A throwback to the structure of 1980’s fashion (read: shoulder pads), you can pick up vintage versions at your local thrift shop, or you can head to stores like H&M, Urban Outfitters or Zara to grab this year’s answer to a retro commodity. Here’s how you can rock the boyfriend blazer morning, noon and night.
Afternoon Delight
Like its power-suit predecessors, the boyfriend blazer can find its home in the office setting, paired with a pencil skirt, a plain tank top and gladiator heels (or clogs, if you’ve got your eye on Chanel’s latest offerings). Though it’s tempting to pair it with tailored trousers, make sure your silhouette resembles an inverted triangle: shoulder pads on the top are best worn with skinny slacks or an (office appropriate) mini-skirt with tights.
Dress it up with pearls, broaches or vintage beads, but be careful not to overdo it “ an accessories overload can take you from Gwenyth Paltrow to Judith Light circa Who’s The Boss?.
Evening Edge
The boyfriend blazer’s tailored look can be easily roughed up with thigh-high boots, printed tights and high-waist shorts. To embrace the antithesis of clean-cut couture, you can also pair it with denim cut-offs, patterned lace tights and a vintage tee, exuding hipness by taking a page out of the book of Gossip Girl’s Little J.
However, if Taylor Momsen style is foreign territory to you, it’s best to rough up your look within your comfort zone, perhaps by substituting the thigh-highs for this season’s ankle boots.
Uptown Casual
Whether shopping, lunching or simply basking in spring sunlight, the boyfriend blazer can go anywhere and cap off the ultimate uptown look. Paired with black skinny jeans, a printed v-neck and gladiator sandals, the jacket can be the perfect spring topper since it’s in between a winter coat and a cardigan.
Comments