How to Style a Grey Blazer
Sometimes all you need to change up your look is a new or old piece that makes dozens of new outfits. For me that was a vintage grey blazer. I finally did it. I took the plunge after seeing dozens if not hundreds of grey plaid oversized blazers during the cumulative fashion weeks last year. But I wasn't going to purchase any old blazer. I considered scrounging through my Dad's closet filled with many suits. Most are boring colors and still have corresponding pants so I didn't want to ruin the closet vibes. Since it is always easier to search for clothes on the internet that's where I went.
Most of these very niche blazers were already selling out or too expensive for me, under 100 dollars or less is the sweet spot. Then I remembered thrifting, the best way to find something unique, usually for less. I scanned thredup's selection of blazers once and didn't find anything. Then a couple days later when they inevitably sent me an email about blazers, thanks cookies!, I looked through their selection again and found it.
Before Blazer: Vintage UT Sweatshirt + Girlfriend Collective Leggings + Vans
The holy grail of blazers. It was grey, patterned, oversized (for me) and came in hot at 20 bucks! I don't care about labels but finding vintage Brooks Brothers just added to the awesome. It was final sale but 20 big ones seemed like a small price to pay, plus shipping, for what seemed to be the blazer of my dreams. Before this foray into blazer hunting I've only ever had those sad, black, poly blend blazers available everywhere that never seem to fit me correctly anywhere. Some will look great unbuttoned with the sleeves rolled up and others only look good buttoned with sleeves that hide my hands. I didn't have high hopes for this blazer changing my mind. I try to set my expectations, for anything, as realistic with a dash of optimism. It's much better than my previous pervasive pessimism. Love alliteration.
Fast forward to blazer day and I was excited and nervous just like with all online purchases. Sometimes everything is perfect and other times... not so much. A blazer for fashion purposes is more intriguing to me then for interviews, yawn. I tried it on and besides some loose threads, buttons, easily fixed, and a delightful purple cocktail umbrella it was exactly what I wanted. Perfectly oversized without looking like I was wearing the suit jacket of a 6 foot tall man, hi dad!, shoulder pads, structure and buttons on either side to change which side you wanted buttoned on a whim. What else could a girl ask for? I wish I had an interview so I could show up in my new power blazer.
After Blazer: Vintage Brooks Brothers Blazer from Thredup
I wanted to show off just one example of how a blazer can elevate any outfit even if it is just a sweatshirt and leggings. This is an open style secrets. Mixing pieces on opposite ends of the spectrum, more expensive with less expensive, feminine with masculine, structure with loose, creates an exciting outfit. Just like how a vintage denim jacket makes a LBD look more down to earth, a blazer on a dressed down outfit instantly elevates it. I also like to be comfortable so I would not be wearing this blazer if it wasn't. Bonus points for also being fairly warm- I think I have the wool to thank for that. I wore it out and about in Rockwall one weekend and it was surprisingly warm. The temperature was dropping steadily but my blazered top half stayed warm while my poor, exposed ankles froze. I also was the only person rocking even a partial suit until we sat down for pizza and a guy in a full suit came in... on a Saturday!
Needless to say I've gone over to the blazer side at least the oversized and interesting looking ones. I'm trying not to spiral into a blazer binge. Reformation doesn't make it easy with a plum blazer and pants I would love to replace my boring black pants and blazer for new interview, work and life attire. I've never felt comfortable in the generic black suit and I'm looking for any excuse to get rid of them. The Reformation pieces are the first suit separates I would consider wearing outside of job interviews in their own outfit iterations. The dull black ones I've never felt motivated to wear anywhere else. They are that boring and unflattering. I wanted to do a few different outfits but laziness coupled with the cold snap we just pulled through made wearing anything less than super cozy clothes and sweats impossible. So be on the look out because this blazer is definitely coming back for the multi outfit treatment.
