NEW FEATURE: TIMELESS WARDROBE WORKSHOP

A few weeks ago, one of my faithful readers, Mo, sent me an email requesting that I talk about how to buy quality key pieces of clothing that might make a good investment in a person's wardrobe. It was such a wonderful request that I decided to create a regular series out of her question. This new feature on STYLEnosh is called: Timeless Wardrobe Workshop. The first item of clothing we'll explore is the classic black blazer.

A BLACK BLAZER is one the most versatile articles of clothing you can own. It's such a staple that you can always find one at every price point, from $10 to $2,000+. So how do you select a classic blazer that offers outstanding wearability and quality?

The two most important factors to consider are the cut and fabric of the jacket. Every body type has a particular cut that works on their frame. 

Cuts -What to look for-

Women with large busts should look for fitted, single-breasted styles with a deep V-neck.

 

If you're short, go for shorter jackets with one or two buttons. Avoid long jackets, which will make you look shorter.

Curvy women should look for semi-fitted jackets that hit right above the widest part of your hips and have buttons that close right below the bustline. Avoid short jackets.

In general, most women look best in single-breasted blazers. But if you're of the small bust persuasion, you can get away with double-breasted styles (though I still don't wear them). And remember, jackets can be tailored so if you find one you like but it needs a few tweaks, go for it! 

Fabric-What to look for-

To get the most out of your money, look for blazers in a seasonless fabric like lightweight wool or a blend of materials that includes wool, viscose, or lycra. 

The goal is to choose a jacket in a fabric that can be worn year round. 

Also look for simple styles that don't have a lot of embellishments.

The jacket shown here is by Diane von Furstenberg and it's on sale at Bloomingdale's for $267. While paying $300 for a jacket is a lot of money, I assure you that you will wear an item of this quality for years and years. Save your money, be on the look out for sales, and be ready to purchase when those top designer pieces hit the clearance rack. My favorite black blazer is a Diane von Furstenberg that I purchased over three years ago at Bloomingdale's on sale for around $200. It's such a quintessential part of my wardrobe; I have it packed in my fire, in case of emergency, bag.

The Final Point

Wearing blazers provides a certain sense of style and polish to almost any look. Search for the perfect one to add to your closet and create your own timeless wardrobe.

Comments

[Mo]

Thanks Nosh, I look forward to the rest of this series :-)

[STYLEnosh]

Well, the thanks goes to you Mo. It was your great idea! Keep 'em coming. :)