fifth in a series
Adding a black blazer to the previously acquired trousers, skirt, shirt, and twinset creates a suit for the classic wardrobe. I personally prefer a black tweed blazer as it alleviates the problem of matching the blacks. Unfortunately, if the skirt, pants, and blazer are not purchased at the same time, there is a good chance that the colors will not match resulting in a non-professional look. On the flip side, by adding a tweed blazer to the black skirt or pants, a bit of personality, without going overboard, can be infused into the business attire.
Shopping Tips:
- Check the quality of the garment. Tug on the garment a little and make sure the stitches do not come undone.
- When buying a blazer, consider the length of the skirts you will be wearing with it. If the skirts are longer, opt for a shorter blazer. If the skirts are shorter, buy a longer blazer. It is important to consider the proportions of the total look and avoid blazers that end at your widest point.
- Except for lightweight blazers, a good quality one will be lined.
- The blazer should fit snugly, but should not restrict movement. Especially look for a comfortable fit through the shoulders; the shoulder seams of the blazer should match the natural edge of your shoulder. Try raising your arms above your head and then making circular motions off to the side. If you can not do either comfortably, the blazer is too tight through the shoulders.
- Check the arm length of a blazer. Hold your arms straight out in front of you, if the sleeves pull above your wrists, the sleeves are too short.
- When wearing the blazer, it should button easily and there should be no gaps in-between the buttons.
- Wool and wool-blends are excellent choices for professional attire and they work for all seasons.
Caring for Your Blazer
- Most blazers require dry cleaning. Since the dry cleaning fluid can speed up the aging process on garments, only clean when absolutely necessary. Spot clean between professional cleanings. If the blazer is in the same material as either the skirt or the pants, clean them at the same time so they will stay the same color.
- Hang your blazer on a wooden hanger. It will help it keep its shape.
Blazers:
Rag & Bone Boleyn Herringbone Blazer
Ralph Lauren Silk Herringbone Jacket
Wool One-Button Bird’s Eye Jacket
Textured Knit One-Button Blazer
(other posts in the series “Building A Classic Wardrobe One Piece at a Time — The White Button Down Shirt, The Dress Slacks, A Cashmere Twinset, The Black Skirt, The Sleeveless Black Dress, The Nude Pump, and The Nude Purse)
