Jacket Trends that Are Here to Stay – Blazers and Cropped Jackets
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
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.
Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carbonated/3307577918/