I'm a "Blazer Crazer".... What can I say? If only I could wear a blazer everyday, I would be the happiest person ever (everyday might be a bit extreme). But, before you get the wrong idea here, let's not use the term "BLAZER" loosely. By blazer, I mean, "Classy", "Chic", "Sexy", "Fun", "Flirty", "Edgy", "Springy", and a "Throw-One-On-And-Go-Shopping-With-Your-Gals" type of Blazer. Not the Monday-Friday-8:00am-5:00pm-with-an-hour-lunch-break type of blazer.
Today my focus falls on how to upgrade your look with a blazer and how to wear it right. Before I do that, I would like to take some time to share our "Fashion Rules to Live By" with you. Yup, that's right folks, I'm letting you in on some top secret stuff here. This took years of hardcore training, waking up, going to the mall, spending money, dealing with traffic, opening up department store credit cards, hiding the credit cards from your parents (that takes skill), dealing with long lines, smelly fitting rooms, trying on clothes, taking them off again, getting different sizes.... (All the while, the Rocky theme song is playing in the background). I think you get my point. Just some hardcore training, mad skill and dedication. And from it came the experience. (Hahaha, lol. I'm just trying to be funny here. The Rocky song wasn't really playing).
Here are some great points to factor in before your next shopping spree:
TRY IT ON. Every body type is different, so when you're shopping for a blazer, it's very very important to try it on. Clothing looks completely different on the hanger. You want to make sure the clothes fit your body type, and you feel comfortable and sexy in everything you wear. If you're not "Emotionally" attached to a piece, what's the point? You have to feel good in everything you wear. Style is Attitude.
TAKE RISKS and STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. If there is something you think you would never wear, or you think might not look good on you, try it on before you rule things out. Never say never because things can surprise you. Yup, that's right... Who knew this yellow-and-orange-looking-Halloween-blazer-with-gold-fringe-coming-off-the-sleeves
actually looks insanely fabulous on you?" Work that jacket girl. (Finger snap)
DO YOUR RESEARCH. Go to outlets, find coupons online, wait for sales. These are the words I live by. There have been so many times I have walked into a store during a sale, or have gone to an outlet, and bought a blazer or a pair of jeans for pennies on the dollar. Looking good makes you feel good and looking good should not cost you a lot. So when you get that "$500 Alexander Wang Classic Grey Blazer" for $80, you'll thank me later.
SPLURGE A TAD BIT. I am a huge fan of stores like Forever 21 and H&M and all of those online websites like Lulus and Modcloth, etc... These places are great for getting trendy pieces that you will wear five or six times and that's it (well maybe 7 or 8 times). But when it comes to buying classic pieces that will
Grow With You, like a blazer, focus on buying pieces that have quality and will last you for years.
QUESTION YOUR LOVE. There are so many times I have walked into a store and bought something because I "liked" it and the price was good and said to myself, "What the heck? Who doesn't need another pair of denim jeans or another black shirt?" Not a good idea - because that shirt or those jeans have either been donated or, are still hanging out in my closet with the tags on just waiting to be worn. As I mentioned above, you have to be "Emotionally" attached to a piece. Ask yourself, "Are you in love with it?" "Is it something you can't live without?" "Is it something you have to have or will you die if you don't get it?" (The last question might have been a bit dramatic, but you catch my drift?) Question your love and get emotional, because you don't want to buy things for the sake of buying them. What's the point of buying something if you're not going to enjoy it?
ACCESSORIZE, PERIOD. Accessories are a crucial part of my life. It sets the tone for your outfit and pulls your look together. It's the ying to your yang. It's the cream in your coffee. It's the butter on your popcorn. It's the turkey on Thanksgiving day. It's not just the cherry on top, its the whipped cream and sprinkles too. And the caramel and chocolate syrup. I think you get my point. It's so important to accessorize and to do it right. By doing it right, we mean not to "overdo it". For example, if you're wearing a statement necklace, go easy on everything else. You want the necklace to pull your look together. On the other hand, If you're wearing a statement necklace and throw on big earrings and wear lots of bracelets, and add a big cocktail ring, you've "distracted" your look. The focus is lost and there's no more "attention to detail", its "attention overkill". It's the attention you don't want. Remember to put some thought into the accessories that go into each outfit, because if you don't, the next time you'll be ordering some popcorn with your butter. Now who wants that?
Lets get to some fabulous blazers, shall we?
Here are some of my favorite blazers that are trending right now and some different looks I've created with them.
Because the jacket makes a statement here, I would pair the look above with very simple jewelry. Jewelry from Trendy Mendy (
www.TrendyMendy.com) from our "Classi-Gal" collection.
2) Here, we took a simple black leather skirt and paired it with a red jacket and a fun spikey necklace. This outfit is perfect for the office, and absolutely adorable for a night out. The necklace paired with the leather skirt pulls this look together creating a fun, edgy look. Jacket is by Tibi (
www.tibi.com), Skirt is by Vince (
www.vince.com), necklace is by Trendy Mendy (
www.trendymendy.com) and shoes by Christian louboutin (
http://us.christianlouboutin.com/us_en).
3) Here, I've paired a blue and black blazer with a simple pair of leather leggings. Throw on a fun piece of jewelry, and this outfit states so much. It's trendy, it fun, and great to wear for a night out on the town. Blazer is by Tibi (
www.Tibi.com), Leather cropped leggings are by Vince (
www.vince.com) and our famous "kitty kat" bracelet by Trendy Mendy (
www.TrendyMendy.com)
4) This is probably one of my favorite looks. Every girl needs a motorcycle jacket. Here I decided to make it a little more fun by pairing it with a racer-back dress and ankle boots. This look says so much. It's fun, its flirty, its edgy, its Rock-n-Roll. Dress and Jacket are by Helmut Lang (
www.helmutlang.com) and ankle boots by Christian Louboutin (
http://us.christianlouboutin.com/us_en)
I would pair the above look with a STATEMENT necklace and that is it. Here is our "Beads and Bib" necklace. By Trendy Mendy (
www.TrendyMendy.com)
Or, throw on our "Pantera" Necklace. (
www.TrendyMendy.com) Remember, these are major statement pieces. They will dress your outfit up and really pull your look together. You don't really want to add anything else to it, because the necklace states so much.
5) Romper, romper romper. So much fun. Every girl should own one. Not to mention, they flatter just about any figure. Here I've paired a Parker romper (
www.intermixonline.com) with a playful Tibi Blazer (
www.Tibi.com)
Throw on a fun necklace, like this Trendy Mendy one, and you are good to go. (
www.TrendyMendy.com)
6) What would spring be without Flowers? Here I've paired a fun and flirty floral blazer with a pair of jeans shorts, and minty green statement necklace. This is great for a day of fun with your friends. Floral Blazer by Helmut Lang (
www.Cusp.com), Shorts by Free People (
www.Cusp.com) and necklace by Trendy Mendy (
www.TrendyMendy.com).
7) And Finally, everyone one needs a classic black blazer. Throw one on with a pair of jeans, a skirt, dress or shorts to update any outfit. Blazer by Zara (
www.Zara.com) and jeans by J Brand (
www.Cusp.com)
Don't forget to complete your look with a fun statement piece. Necklace by Trendy Mendy (
www.TrendyMendy.com)
It seems I've mostly paired necklaces with blazers. The reason being is when you wear a blazer, its your necklace that shows a lot more. (And the fact that I love statement pieces probably has something to do with it). Feel free to have fun and dress your look up with a big pair of earrings or some fun cocktail rings. At the end of the day, you want to feel good in what you're wearing. Because that's all that matters.
Rock it, Rock it Right, and Stay Fabulous!
Trendy Mendy
www.TrendyMendy.com
