Tired of wearing the same, standard jackets over and over?  Add some pizazz to your wardrobe with a blazer or cropped jacket.  Once an ubiquitous male fashion item, blazers have gradually made their way into the female wardrobe.  A blazer can pull any outfit together, even if you just wear it with a pair of jeans and flats.  Blazers also make great office wear because they have such a polished look.  Blazers are a great wardrobe investment because they are very versatile, and they probably won’t be going out of fashion anytime soon.  You can find pinstripe, plaid, oversized, cropped, 3/4-length sleeved blazers.

Cropped jackets offer women a shortcut to looking fabulous.  Like blazers, cropped jackets flatter a variety of figures.  They are available in a number of different colors, styles, and lengths.  Most cropped jackets are cropped at the natural waist, but some are cropped even higher.  Jackets cropped higher than the natural waist are great for layering and look great on women with long torsos because they lengthen the appearance of your legs and shorten the appearance of your torso.

Blazers and cropped jackets are perfect for the spring and fall, when you need an extra layer or two, and a cardigan just doesn’t cut it.  Both look great layered so if there’s a bit of a breeze, you can add a cute blouse underneath to stay warm.

Tips for Wearing Blazers and Cropped Jackets

Both blazers and cropped jackets come in a variety of different styles and fabrics, enabling you to achieve a number of unique looks.  Wear them with a pair of jeans for a casual day, with tailored trousers for the office, or with a dress for a night out.  To achieve a look that’s subtle yet sophisticated, blazers and cropped jackets in neutral tones are ideal.  If you’re going for a more bold look, wear jackets with colorful patterns.

Layer your cropped jacket or blazer with an elegant blouse, camisole, or fitted tee that ends at the hip.  Bottoms that go well with cropped blazers and jackets include jeans, baggy trousers, and ankle-skimming pants.  When you wear a cropped jacket or blazer with jeans, slip on a pair of platforms to complete the look. A cropped jacket or blazer and ankle-skimming pants look perfect with a pair of flats.  If you wear a dress for a night out on the town, you can cover yourself up and stay warm without sacrificing chic by topping your dress off with a blazer.

When you pair a dress with a blazer or cropped jacket, don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors.  Matching colors can result in a boring look.  For example, you can wear a black and white dress with a bold, red blazer instead of the usual black or white blazer.

For a unique suit that’s perfect for spring, pair a cropped jacket or blazer with a pair of shorts.  Wear a cropped jacket with a ruffled blouse and a pair of platform heels for an elegant yet casual look that’s perfect for a lunch date.  Combine rolled up khaki shorts, a neutral colored crop jacket, and a pair of gladiator sandals for a breezy, laid back outfit that’s perfect for a beachy afternoon.

When it comes to skirts, cropped jackets and blazers go perfectly with skirts of just about any length, from micro minis to long prarie skirts.  If you wear a pencil skirt with a cropped jacket or blazer that is cropped well above the waist, use a wide belt to complete the look.

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As winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, many of us are digging out our sweaters from the backs of our closets to prepare for the cold.  Not only can sweaters help to keep us warm throughout bone-chilling winters, they can be very stylish as well, if you know what to wear and how to wear it.

Sweaters are a basic item in women’s wardrobes.  The key to pulling the look off is wearing a fitted sweater that flatters your figure instead of a bulky sweater.  Fitted sweaters are very versatile.  They can be paired with jeans, skirts, or slacks.  For work, you can wear them with a blazer or with a blouse underneath.

Wear your fitted sweaters with a lightly padded bra with smooth cups.  Form-fitting sweaters look best with smooth cup bras because they minimize bulk and make your bust look more shapely.  To smooth and shape your entire figure, wear form-fitting undergarments with your sweaters.

If you love how warm wool sweaters are but hate the way the feel against your skin, try wearing a silk camisole underneath.  Silk camisoles add an extra protective layer without creating bulk.  If you have sensitive skin, wear sweaters made of cotton and silk, or blends that contain lycra.  You may also enjoy the softness and luxuriousness of a cashmere sweater.

If you want to add a touch of glamor to your fitted sweater, pair it with some jewelry.  Just remember to put your jewelry on last because knit sweaters can snag.  For a laid back afternoon of grocery shopping or a walk in the park, you can wear your sweater with a pair of flats for a more casual look.

When shopping for sweaters, make sure to go to the right department to find a sweater that fits you properly.  Women of all shapes and sizes should avoid big, bulky sweaters and stick with sweaters that are form-fitting.  Sweaters with v-necklines are universally flattering.

If you have a triangle shaped figure, a boatneck sweater can give your shoulders a broader appearance, and if you have broad shoulders, you can wear sweaters that wrap around the front and have a cinch waist.

Women with big busts should not attempt to hide behind bulky sweaters, but rather draw attention away from their bust by wearing a fitted waistband along with their sweater.  The best types of necklines for women with big busts are v-necks.

If you have a long torso, you can make your legs look longer by wearing a cut away sweater.  Sweaters with broaches or embroidery around the neckline can also take attention away from your long torso.

Women who have large bellies should avoid clingy sweaters.   If you want to appear slimmer, wear a twinset and leave it open.  You can even find “fake” twinsets that just have a piece of fabric sewn to the front.

If you have a long neck, wear high, fitted turtlenecks.  If you have a short neck, wear mock turtlenecks, which have a collar that’s lower than a turtleneck and not turned over.

Do you have any additional tips for making sweaters look more fashionable?  If so, please share in the comments section!