Fashion Stylist's Guide to Blazer Shapes and Styles

Blazers, Blazers, Blazers

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about blazers lately… What’s the right length? Fit? Style? Blazers are essentially a classic, but just as with denim (also a classic) the silhouette that’s considered “current” changes over time. Personally, I've been a blazer girl for as long as I can remember. High school 1988, sporting a blazer - with BIG shoulder pads, and even bigger hair. My wedding shower, this time, was a white silk blazer, with a matching dress. And while working in sales and then at an advertising agency, you guessed it, blazers every damn day.

But blazers have come a long way baby. They’re no longer super conservative or screaming of corporate dress codes. Blazers are current, modern, and very chic. They are also quite utilitarian - offering a layer of warmth, a slimming silhouette, and overall outfit polish.

Really, blazers are the ultimate third piece AND they work for ALL BODY TYPES!

But what shape blazer is “in style”?

A Guide to Blazer Shapes and Styles.

1. A traditional blazer that hits at the hips -as in hip bone to mid thigh. Right about mid tush. If you are in a corporate job that has a business formal dress code you can and should have this style in your wardrobe. If you’re not, you can certainly still wear what you own, but think about a different style if you’re going to add new.

2. A cropped blazer that hits above the hip bone - anywhere from your hip bones to the bottom of your rib - pretty much at your true waist. This is great to pair with dresses, skirts, and higher-waisted pants. It’s also a style that works well for more petite women. Creating an illusion of longer legs.

3. A longer, boyfriend-style blazer that hits mid-thigh -it can be oversized or slim, but longer. Not to the knee though! Somewhere in the crotch to mid-thigh area is perfect. If you’re going to add a blazer to your wardrobe this season - this is the style to add. The key to making this silhouette work for you (even if you’re petite) is to make sure the jacket fits in the shoulders AND that the sleeves are not too long.I like a scrunched sleeve that shows off your forearm, it helps balance the oversized nature of the blazer.

Blazers $200 +

Blazers UNDER $200

A Few Tips for Finding a Blazer that's Right for You

1. Make sure the blazer fits in the shoulders - that's the most important fit and the most expensive to tailor.

2. If the sleeves are too long see if they can be scrunched (I'm a big fan of the rubber band trick). If there are working buttons or details on the cuff the tailoring can get more expensive as they'll need to take the sleeve up from the shoulder.

3. Everything perfect, but a little too boxy? That is usually a relatively easy fix. OR try belting the blazer to give your waist attention.

4. Look at the seams for plaids and stripes that match up (on the pockets too). Mismatched lines are a tell tale sign of a cheaply made garment.