The inspiration : Rachel Comey Loveless blazer (beige wool available at Rachel Comey)
The Reformation Lazer Blazer (made of surplus suiting fabric) | on waitlist in most sizes and colors 🙁
Boy by Band of Outsiders Wool blazer | secondhand at The Real Real + 20% off
St. Emile wool blazer | secondhand + 20% off at The Real Real
Good Studios Hemp blazer via Garmentory |
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In my Fall Wishlist post I mentioned that I was seeking an oversized blazer similar to (or exactly) the the Rachel Comey blazer featured above. I didn’t order it because it sold out in the size I wanted to try, and anyway, I seem to like blazers better in theory than I do in practice; whenever I have a jacket I don’t wear it, so it’s not something I’m willing to invest much $$ in. Although, I always think I “should” have one. Haha.
The oversized gray blazer is appealing because it is perfectly androgynous and would look amazing with high-waisted jeans (a la Rachel Comey slim legion) and sneakers, or mules. But it would work equally well with a slim fitting dress, or wide-leg trousers. And if you’re lucky enough to live in a relatively mild climate, then a heavy enough blazer would probably work as a coat. Done, and done.
But this style is really easily found secondhand, I think, although I myself (irony of ironies) am not a great secondhand shopper. If it comes through Slowre, great, otherwise, I have a hard time dedicating enough time hunting out items at other consignment shops or thrift stores.
I think the key to finding one secondhand that looks modern is getting it perfectly oversized, and then altering it a bit to make it fit your arms, so it doesn’t look like you’re wearing a man’s blazer. I found a few really good options (I’m partial to the ones with large front pockets) above, but there are many more secondhand gray blazers at The Real Real (and they’re having 20% off right now, which makes most of them under $100).
Also, of course, there are some really amazing blazers/jackets by independent designers at Garmentory.
I tried on the Everlane goweave blazer at their Nordstrom pop-in shop recently and really liked it. It’s definitely more fitted than I’m talking about here, and the sleeves were long on me, but I liked the fit of the size 8. And the surplus color was very nice. FYI it’s on waitlist at Everlane’s site, but most sizes are available via Nordstrom. You can also shop the filled bomber jacket before it launches at Everlane. I’m not interested in that, but I saw it in person and it looks very nice – it’s heavy and substantial.
Do you wear blazers/jackets much? Have you found one you really love? What about oversized styles like this, what do you think about them? How would you style one like this?
I almost never wear blazers now but oh, in high school….I used to go to NYC on weekends and loved heading to thrift stores for oversized men’s blazers! (ah, the 80s as an alternative music fan – pre-goth, pre-grung – lots of makeup, t-shirt and men’s blazers….I am thankful I had a dress code in high school or my photo memories would be far more embarrassing!)
Ironically -with a large bust, the oversize blazer is NOT a good look on me – fitted is much better (infinitely harder, which is why I lean towards cardigans now) But as a teen, I was way into hiding….(see also my wardrobe of super-large men’s button downs)
Live in blazers. Over shirts in summer, over turtlenecks in winter. Little ones over sleeveless dresses and tops all year round. Big ones over pants, jeans and sometimes skirts. (Wow, the latter sounds very retro doesn’t it? I should clarify I’m careful about the length and cut!)
Isn’t Everlane coming out with a new oversized blazer soon? It’s linked as coming soon in one of the recent styles campaigns. Either the editor heel or cashmere I believe.
I live on the coast, so a slightly oversized blazer (for layering sweaters under) generally works as my winter coat. I had a fabulous navy blazer I found for $3 at a thrift shop years ago that I loved and was always complimented on, and regret getting rid of it instead of fixing the wear and tear. I’ll be on the hunt for another one now, I guess!
it’s linked, but doesn’t go anywhere…hmm…thanks for pointing that out 🙂
looks interesting!
Grechen, you nailed it with your choices! Especially the Rachel Comey and the Reformation ones. But your second sentence gets to the crux of it for me: Blazers work for me IN THEORY. I really love the look of an oversized jacket with a tee and jeans, but it’s not something that I’m willing to pay for since I know I won’t be comfortable, and like you, I hate digging thru stuff in a consignment shop! Give me an oversized sweater and boyfriend jeans any day!
Forgot to mention that Everlane restocked the “Wide leg cropped pant” and added a size 14…..,….
so I purchased them in black!!! I’ll report back on the fit for us non-small boned women.
oh!! wonderful 🙂 i can’t wait to hear what you think of them…i hope they work for you.
i ended up getting rid of mine – i just wasn’t interested in wearing them, and they really didn’t ever fit right on my body 🙁
MamaV – I think we have similar body shapes – do you have a recommendation for boyfriend jeans? Seems like all those I’ve tried on lately have been too skinny?
Oh well! I’m late to the party but the trend still seems to be going strong. 🙂
Yes! I think we are “body doppelgängers”! Lol! I have always been a big fan of the Paige “Jimmy Jimmy Skinny Boyfriend” Jean (and I think you may have mentioned those before???). I find that some have a low-rise in that style, tho, and that’s no good. Make sure it’s a mid-rise and then you’ll be comfy. And lately, I can’t stop wearing my AG Adriano Goldschmied “The Beau” boyfriend jeans. It’s last year’s style, but I love them!!! They’re a bit cropped tho, and I haven’t got the right boot height to wear them with (slightly higher than ankle booties). But an Oxford or sneaker with no-show socks would look cute!
Thanks! Will try those options!! I have some cute chelsea style booties I have problems styling. Well, I have problems styling most ankle boots….