The iconic boyfriend blazer

By Laura Collins
[contributor]

Its versatility is unmistakable. If you don’t own a boyfriend blazer then, honey, you need help.

Men have been sporting them for years, and recently women have moved them from his side of the closet to theirs.

They’ve slimmed down the shoulders, narrowed in the waist and switched the buttoning side. The longer length of a men’s blazer has been cherished.

The boyfriend blazer didn’t struggle to be accepted, and is now a staple in every women’s closet, as it should be. Black, grey, cotton or velvet, everyone should own at least one.

Pairing it is easy. You won’t come across much that a blazer doesn’t compliment. But you should know what structure to look for. Yes, shoulders pads are okay.

The late ‘80s and ‘90s may have scared you away from them, but they can add a nice shape to your shoulder frame. Don’t get pointy ones, and make sure they’re not super thick. They should be just large enough to even out your shoulders and hips, giving you an hourglass frame.

Look for blazers that are tailored near your natural waistline, not your hips. This way, when you have the blazer worn open, it will still taper in, helping with that model-esque frame.

Longer blazers embrace more of a men’s style. But if you are shorter, don’t buy a blazer that goes past the middle of your bum, because you’ll look like you’re drowning in fabric.

You can’t go wrong with a black blazer, but colour is adventurous. A bright royal blue, a rich red or an emerald green will add some excitement to your outfit.

If you’re up for it, try one of this spring’s “it” colours and look for a bright fuchsia or florescent yellow blazer.

Take this men’s jacket and make it your own, mixing in scarves, jewelry and colour to feminize the look.