So much of what I write here comes from the questions that arise with my 1:1 styling clients. I love it because my firm belief is that if one person has a question, others are usually struggling with that issue as well. The question we’re going to talk about today: How do you know when to wear a blazer vs a sweater? And that is a totally valid question because they are both technically a third piece or topper. And because of this, they are often used interchangeably. Technically, both pieces fall under the same general category of a topper.

What is a Topper?

Topper: an item of clothing that is used to top off an outfit. And is worn over another item like a shirt or blouse. A topper is not outerwear because a jacket or overcoat can be worn over a topper.

I am constantly waxing poetic about toppers and third pieces because they are useful elements when building an outfit. Especially an outfit that has interest, versatility, and practicality.

When it comes to deciding what topper to wear, it’s important to think of your topper (or any item of clothing, for that matter) as a tool. And that tool can be used as a knob to either dress the outfit up or dress it down. It’s basically volume control - and you’re the DJ. It is the ability to use these clothing items as tools that allows you to achieve the desired state of your outfit and, in turn, your entire wardrobe.

Important to note: nothing stands in a silo - so as I am discussing the way to use your topper (i.e. blazer, sweater, jean jacket, leather moto) as a tool - please know there are other wardrobe elements at play as well.

First, a topper always, always, ups the ante - it’s like instant outfit polish - so if you can wear one, it’s rarely a bad idea. The question is how to wear one - and then how to assess which kind to wear, when.

Cardigan vs. Blazer: a continuum of dressiness.

Think of your toppers on a continuum - from casual to dressy. This is the 100 foot view of toppers…  a jean jacket, a plaid shacket being the most casual and velvet, or a sequined blazer being the most dressy. A sweater (cardigan) will generally fall somewhere in the middle, with a traditional wool blazer in the middle to dressy zone. An embellished sweater is slightly closer to dressy than a plain blazer. And a denim blazer inching closer to casual than its wool counterpart.

OK so, let’s drill down on these even further to really understand all of the factors that go into how fancy a topper is.

Structure

The more structured a topper is the dressier it is on the fanciness spectrum. Think about it, structure = formality, and the converse, unstructured = informality. But the thing is… structure also can mean less comfortable. And in a post-lockdown world, comfort is king. So the sweet spot is often finding a lightly structured topper that offers both comfort and polish.

A sweater is generally unstructured, which is why on the dressy continuum, it falls in the more casual quadrant. 

Fabric

What fabric an item is made of also affects how dressy or casual it is. And additionally, how it dresses up or down an outfit. Denim, jersey, corduroy, and techno are all fabrics that read more relaxed and casual. They are working fabrics - both historically for physical labor and recently for physical fitness. Fabrics like velvet, silk, chiffon, lace, and satin are luxurious and, therefore, fancy. Again, historically these fabrics are what the aristocracy wore.

And in the middle, fabrics like linen, leather, and cashmere are rich and sometimes costly, but have a bit more grit. Which is why they fall in the middle of the continuum. 

Embellishment

If an item has more embellishment (sequins, pearls, embroidery) it can be, as my grandma used to say ungapatchka - a Yiddish adjective that describes something which is overly ornate, busy, ridiculously over-decorated, kitch, and garnished to the point of distaste. 

However, embellishment does not need to be gaudy or distasteful. In fact, I’d say it’s a powerful wardrobe tool.

Some love a good embellishment, and others not so much - I will say that those added “boujee” details do work wonders to make something regular feel special. I like to think of embellishments as a spice - used in moderation. It can take something from good to great. But used in excess, it’s an overpowering mess. And also, it is personal - spicy for one person is too mild and bland for another - so this is an important time to take note of what you personally do and don’t feel comfortable with.

So, on the fanciness spectrum, an embellished topper vs the exact same piece non-embellished would be much dressier.

How these Elements are Combined

Now to dig even a little deeper we need to think about how these three elements - fabric, structure and embellishment are combined together. If all three are from the dressy side of the street, the item will likely be quite dressy (although it can be dressed down in the next step). And with each element that is more casual, it takes the fancy factor down a notch.

For example an embellished jean jacket is dressier than a plain one, but not as fancy as an embellished silk blazer.

What To Pair a Topper With

This is where you get to use the topper as a tool and where style vs fashion comes into play. The rule of juxtaposition is one of my favorite styling mechanisms to use. At its core it’s the idea that opposites attract and create interesting friction. You can read more about it here.

When we are talking about toppers and when to wear a blazer vs a sweater, that’s when we think about the rest of the outfit and what the end goal is.

Are you wearing a dress to a party but unsure if the event is dress worthy? Top it with a jean jacket to “dress it down”.

Want to wear jeans to a holiday party or for date night but feel like that’s too casual? Pair them with an embellished blazer to dress it up.

Have an invite for cocktail attire but it’s cold out and your LBD is sleeveless? Pop that same embellished blazer over the dress and you’re cocktail ready.

Need to attend a business event or religious service, and the dress code is business attire (not specifying business formal or business casual)? Wear a dress or slacks and a blouse but put a sweater over it - so the look is finished but not too formal.

Shop Jean Jackets

Shop Cardigans

Shop Blazers

Shop Leather Jackets

See that topper is your tool. It becomes the volume control for fanciness and formality.

Does this all make sense? We can of course dive even deeper into the balance and proportion of the outfit - but that’s probably best for another day - there is a lot of info to digest already.

And if that is a topic, you struggle with or want to know more about, just to come full circle… It’s a topic we cover in the FEEL FLIPPING FABULOUS course - along with personalized feedback on your actual outfits.

I’m telling you - if you like the info you get in this blog, the course is like this on steroids! And the participants feel empowered. Now making and understanding why some things look good on them and others do not.