First, make sure you’ve got a nice, unstructured blazer.
Then add:
- distressed jeans
- a plain white tee, front tucked
- a tote, for some color + texture
- ankle booties, for some cool factor
- minimal accessories, for some glimmer
And you’ve got yourself a cool look.
With a blazer! That doesn’t look stuffy!
Who would have thought? :)
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to wear blazers — and failed. I loved them on other people, but then when I’d put them on they just didn’t feel like me, you know?
I think my problems with them in the past stemmed from the fact that I’d bought the wrong blazers.
They were either the wrong color for my taste (hello bright orange blazer — what was I thinking?) or the wrong style for my daily life (hello shoulder pads + stiff fabric) or the wrong fit for my body type (oh hey, cropped forever 21 blazer — yeesh).
But now I get it: all blazers aren’t created equal + it takes a bit of experimenting and patience to find the right one.
What’s your favorite way to style a blazer? Share it on Instagram today and hashtag it #unfancyfriday so we can all get inspired by your style.
Blazer: Aritzia
Top: J.Crew
Bottoms: Madewell
Bag: Nordstrom
Shoes: Aldo
Necklace: Moulton
Bracelets: Moulton
Stacking Rings: Moulton
xo
Robyn says
October 24, 2014 at 6:43 amLove this! The drapey blazer is definitely super flattering! :) Just curious… were you still planning on blogging about accessorizing with jewelry this week? I’ve been anxiously checking each day!! Haha :)
Caroline says
October 24, 2014 at 8:52 amHi Robyn! I had planned on it but then our anniversary kinda got in the way of my usual Wednesday post. I’ll post it tomorrow, just for ya. :) xo Caroline
Valerie says
October 24, 2014 at 6:57 amLove blazers! You can dress anything with a blazer, I have 3: black, royal blue and tweed for my winter capsule. I had my 37 items but work a full time job in an office so it’s hard to dress up everyday with 37 items. Didn’t buy anything new just pulled from summer/spring tanks, t-shirts. Trying though. Husband is impressed.
Tania [girlwithanakita] says
October 24, 2014 at 8:01 amSo many thoughts running through my head!
1. You should model.
2. I LOVE that you have been using that bag in every other outfit post.
3. That blazer is killer.
4. Definitely a fan of how you look put together but also casual.
:) Hope you have a great day.
Gina says
October 24, 2014 at 8:07 amI love your hair straight! This is such a chic, wearable look and I’m loving everything about that Aritzia blazer. I can always count on Aritzia for high quality perfection. You look amazing as always, Caroline.
Still loving Unfancy as much as the first day I discovered you, and your blog has influenced me to take a more minimal approach to my wardrobe and shopping. So refreshing!
XO, Gina
http://classyeverafter.blogspot.com
Jackie (York Avenue) says
October 24, 2014 at 9:04 amLOVE this post! I’ve had a blazer sitting in my closet for about two years now and I just never. Ever. Wear it. This styling advice is so helpful! And of course, so amazingly simple. I’m definitely going to try it and just see how it looks. You really make the most minimalist outfits look so good! The black of the blazer makes the cognac color of the bag look even better.
Mallory says
October 24, 2014 at 9:14 amCaroline, I just have to say, I was a huge fan of yours when you were doing weddings (I worked at SMP up until May and saw your weddings from time to time) and I am a HUGE fan of Un-Fancy. Not only have you completely inspired me to jump right into a capsule wardrobe, but you are giving me some major confidence to try styles I’ve always loved but never thought I could pull off. So thank you for being such an inspiration! XO
Sloane says
October 24, 2014 at 9:15 amHi Caroline!
Love your blog! Curious-how is the Nordstrom bag holding up? I am considering purchasing but want to make sure it lasts!
Thanks,
Sloane
Caroline says
October 24, 2014 at 9:26 amHi Sloane! So far so good! I can tell it’s not going to be a forever bag, but I’m carrying it almost every day and it still looks great. :) xo Caroline
Glenda says
October 24, 2014 at 9:59 amYou’re beautiful everyday, but you look especially Terrific in that blazer! The short, waist-defining blazers look best on my body-type & I love them to pieces(!), I have them in navy, red, cream solids & boucle, plus a burgundy tweed–because I wear them almost daily mostly buttoned up but sometimes with a tank or blouse–and I pair them with pencil skirts in navy & red solids & prints–because I love them and wear them almost daily, too (I have only two pair of pants in my closet: charcoal flannel and dark jeans).
By the way, about the twisted strap on your booties a few days ago: yesterday one of my students had on booties very much like yours with Both ankle straps twisted Intentionally, and she said she saw it on Un-fancy, thought it looked rather cute, and since everyone seems to be wearing booties that are similar she said, “No one has cute twisted ankle straps like me!” How’s that for taking a mistake and turning it into an individual style-statement asset !!
Cynthia says
October 24, 2014 at 11:15 amLove this look, Caroline! I don’t have a nice, plain white tee in my wardrobe right now. I’m putting it on my wish list for January! :-) I’m trying to keep my shopping moratorium in place through the end of the year.
I like to style a blazer with a contrasting long sleeve that appears past the elbow when the blazer’s sleeves are pushed/rolled up. I do this with sweaters that I wear over long-sleeved tops too.
Laura says
October 24, 2014 at 3:31 pmlove all your posts. Your hair looks GORGEOUS straight. :)
Twee says
October 24, 2014 at 3:35 pmI’m wearing [almost] the same outfit today (with a striped top and dark jeans)…I shall consider this a small victory towards my capsule challenge. Thank you for the every day inspiration!!
Annie says
October 24, 2014 at 3:51 pmThese skinnys are so cute on you. Do you size up so they are not super skinny? Love how they fit you.
Gloria says
October 24, 2014 at 4:55 pmSuper cute! I wear blazers to work and love throwing them on during the weekend for a more casual look with jeans and a T shirt. I figure then I can justify the cost per wear…
Just have to say thank you for suggesting the Luna white buttonup shirt from Anthro. I bought it and it has been in constant rotation since it hit my closet for work and play. The Tencel allows it it to drape beautifully and looks great with a skirt or jeans. I had to go back and get it in olive too.
Have a great weekend!
Svenja says
October 24, 2014 at 5:02 pmLoving the blazer. It looks so good on you! I really love blazers in general because there’s so many ways to combine them.
Love,
Svenja
Melissa says
October 24, 2014 at 7:28 pmWhat a great look! The blazer looks great! Also has anyone told you that you look like Genevieve Padalecki with your hair like this?
Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's says
October 24, 2014 at 9:14 pmI recently read a blog post that mentioned how a blazer can dress up any outfit, but I guess it really does go both ways–a special outfit could dress down a blazer but still look sharp! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
jen says
October 24, 2014 at 9:23 pmIs there a science to the “front tuck”? I always feel like I’m trying too hard and I’m pretty sure the point is that it shouldn’t look too intentional. I’d love to know if you have a trick to making it look so effortless!
Tania [girlwithanakita] says
October 25, 2014 at 12:47 pmI experimented with this!
What is your height and overall body composition? I’m petite and top heavy so sometimes this look doesn’t work. t learned it is best for low cut jeans (to give it the long torso illusion) and a very drapey shirt. I tried it with loose and it looks like a balloon on me (I am 5’3″) and I tried it with semi-fitted and it cut off my torso (cause I have a larger chest). Hopefully this works for ya!
jen says
October 25, 2014 at 1:16 pmAhh! That actually makes a lot of sense. I’m tall, but I have a really short torso and a larger chest. I’ll have to experiment with looser shirts. Thanks!
Hilary says
October 25, 2014 at 11:11 amWhy are you so cute? Seriously. You are the the cutest! I look forward to your posts every day :)
danielle says
October 26, 2014 at 5:39 pmhi! love this post, i have been searching forever for a nice blazer. not to corporate/stiff/shoulder padded but something nice that pulls things together. this looks so great on you! i love the fit, it looks very casual yet pulled together. not sure how this would work for me though being 5’3″, sometimes fitted is more flattering on me. I’m curious how tall are you? trying to determine if i should try this blazer! thanks! :)
Chrissie says
October 27, 2014 at 11:44 amI’d also love to know if it’s essential to have it dry cleaned. I’d love to find one just like this that I can throw in the wash!
Emily says
October 26, 2014 at 7:33 pmI totally feel you. i loved blazers on everyone but me. My problem was, I was wearing TOO stuffy of a blazer in kind of a work-crepe fabric, and trying to make BLACK work for me, when what I really needed was navy. I bought a ponte blazer from The Gap that was still tailored but the fabric took it down a notch. I love it!
Kimberly says
October 27, 2014 at 8:55 amThis is one of my favorite looks! A friend gifted a black pinstripe blazer to me recently that made it into my fall capsule. In the past I believed I couldn’t wear one, that it wouldn’t flatter my body shape. Mine’s not unstructured but cut very feminine. I rolled up the sleeves and paired it with jeans, a gray tank, and black stilettos. It was such fun – out of my comfort zone outfit!
This looks great on you. ;)
Miranda @ Miranda Writes Blog says
October 27, 2014 at 1:45 pmI just picked up a new black blazer this weekend. It was definitely missing from my collection. Can’t wait to wear it like this! =)
Jen says
October 28, 2014 at 8:26 amCan someone please clarify for me, what exactly are the qualities of an “unstructured” blazer? In my mind that seems like a contradiction in terms, but I would like to try one and I am not sure what to look for. Thanks!
Tania [girlwithanakita] says
October 28, 2014 at 9:39 amHi Jen :) unstructured blazers are like thicker cargidan with lapels. There’s no shoulder pads or anything form fitting about it. Just loose with lapels in the front. It’s like a more fancy cardigan lol
Jen says
October 28, 2014 at 10:10 amThanks Tania! That does help – I was not understanding that they are actually not made of typical “blazer” fabric.
BTW, I really like your blog, Tania! Just discovered it the other day. I am looking forward to catching up on your previous posts. I really like the topics you choose to blog about.
Tania [girlwithanakita] says
October 28, 2014 at 6:03 pmThank you so much for reading, Jen! I’m still pretty new lol
carlyngreer says
January 22, 2015 at 12:33 pmI have a black blazer but it just isn’t doing it for me. It was a gift a from a few years ago, but I never wear it. The fit and fabric just isn’t right, too structured. I love the drape of this blazer, it feels casual yet I know I can dress it up for work (I’m a teacher). Definitely on my shopping list as I build my first capsule! What is the sizing like on this jacket? I haven’t had a chance to check it out in person just yet.