six ways to wear an oversized blazer this spring

style

10 Feb

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When it comes to one of my all-time favourite staples - the oversized blazer – the permutations are endless. But for the sake of simplicity, I’ll stick with six for now.

Why Oversized?

I’ve never really been one for the fitted form when it comes to clothing of any sort – too much wriggling, tugging and a couple of hours in, I guarantee there’ll be cursing too. Not only that but when I think of the blazer I think spring, albeit a chilly UK spring, so fitted just won’t cut it when it comes to the days when layers need to be added underneath. There’s also something about its proportions that do good things for my midlife body shape… it’s one of those rare beasts that manages to provide comfort whilst retaining an edgy vibe. I’m aware that in the online retail world, most oversized blazers are styled atop the shoulders of the model-proportioned and yet even on us mere mortals, it still manages to pull off that genderless, insouciant quality and a hint of cool that you can’t quite pin down. If you ask me, it’s truly a magical thing - which is why most of my outfits seem to feature one.

Before the current incarnation of this colossal cover-up came the 80’s variations – think Melanie Griffith’s Working Girl or Don Johnson in Miami Vice – both had a penchant for the free-flowing jacket and a shoulder pad here and there. Much later there was the Boyfriend Blazer – it only seems like yesterday I was enthralled by Rachel Zoe instructing us to push up the sleeves and pair one with a vintage rock Tee, jeans and heels. Ah the halcyon days of the fashion blogging giants.

BEGIN WITH BLACK & BEIGE

Despite it being within the last few years, I can’t remember exactly when the tide of tremendous tailoring began to turn but all of a sudden it was Bye Bye Boyfriend Blazer and Hello Mammoth Must-Have. I do remember where I first started seeing them pop up though – COS, ARKET, JOSEPH, RAEY and of course, on the Instagrammed shoulders of any style influencer with an invite to Copenhagen fashion week.

I was hooked.

six ways to Wear

I’m not kidding when I say it works with most things - jeans, joggers and most definitely slouchy tailored trousers - with trainers for casual cool or a small heel/pointed toe combo like these when elegance is required. Until the weather warms up, go for the triple layer – a long-sleeved T-shirt, an open shirt (classic denim is good) and then the blazer on top. Once the temperature begins to rise, the simplicity of an oversized T-shirt or cotton shirt is my idea of easy comfort…

If you’re after dressy without feeling overdone, an oversized blazer is the answer. I like the idea of a satin slip skirt and sandal pairing and last summer I threw my linen blazer over a simple cotton summer dress with chunky dad sandals – still relaxed but more elevation than you’d get from a cardigan.

Find More Inspiration:

If you’re after more styling ideas, below are a few of the style ‘grammers I have in my Saved folder for when oversized blazer inspiration is lacking…

Alexis Foreman, Emma Hill, Sam Preston, Eve Pecak, Linda Tol, With Alex Style, The Basics and Buttons & Blazers. Pinterest also throws out some great styling ideas - take a look at my Minimal, Relaxed, Effortless board as a starter and experiment with different search terms using oversized blazer as your key words.