One of the things a girl must always have in her wardrobe is a classic blazer. This is not only imperative for office garb but also for a more stylish flair in daily outfits.
That being said, how do you draw the line between office wear and casual wear? How will you make your casual outfits look different from your office ensembles when you wear your chic blazer? Here are ten styling solutions. Allow these celebrities to show you the ropes:
1. Casual Meets Chic: Skinny Jeans With a Classic Blazer
The jeans and blazer tandem never fail. Never! Former ‘Charmed’ actress Alyssa Milano showed us that this nifty trick won’t fail you.
Denim jeans tame down the jacket’s dressy vibe. Punctuate the look with a pair of pumps.
Alyssa Milano demonstrates the timeless appeal of combining a blazer with skinny jeans at the Grove, where she appeared on the entertainment show ‘Extra!’ with Mario Lopez in Los Angeles on January 7, 2014 (Credit: WENN)
2. Fusion Fashion: Mixing Leather and Lace Under a Blazer
Rita Ora combined leather with lace. It’s an exciting mix because the lace is feminine, and the leather is edgy. The black blazer made these elements seem cohesive.
Rita Ora elegantly merges edgy and feminine styles by pairing a black blazer with leather and lace during a late birthday dinner in Mayfair, London, England, on November 27, 2013 (Credit: WENN)
3. Bold Statements: Printed Trousers With a Golden Blazer
We were smitten with Sharon Stone’s striking airport outfit. First, can we appreciate her gorgeous gold-tone blazer?
The gold is startling, but the outfit gives a relaxed, no-nonsense vibe. She owes that to her slouchy pants, which boast an abstract print.
Sharon Stone departs LAX wearing a striking gold-tone blazer paired with relaxed, printed trousers, giving a laid-back yet stylish vibe, spotted in Los Angeles on November 12, 2013 (Credit: WENN)
4. Casually Formal: White Tee and Oxford Shoes With a Blazer
We had to include another Rita Ora look because she made it appear casual despite the formal elements. The blazer and white button-down shirt combo can be taken in either direction.
Wear it with tapered pants and pumps, and it will look formal. Alternatively, wear it with slightly slouchy pants and cute Oxford shoes; the effect is casually stylish!
Post-hairdresser transformation, Rita Ora sports a casual look with a white button-down shirt and oxford shoes in London, England, August 8, 2013 (Credit: WENN)
Also, note the deliberately unkempt look of the button-down shirt. Rita undid one button-up and one button-down, leaving them untucked for an easygoing style.
5. Layering Essentials: Adding a Blazer to a Solid-Colored Dress
Solid-colored dresses are sophisticated and classic, but sometimes, they are just a tad too boring!
If you want to experiment with layers, a chic blazer is the best choice. It’s also a great idea to throw in a blazer to update dresses you have worn countless times.
Kate Moss exudes sophistication in a chic blazer as she leaves Loulou’s in London, England, on June 17, 2013, showcasing how a simple addition can elevate a look (Credit: WENN)
6. Summer Style: Denim Cutoffs Paired With a Tweed Blazer
Jamie Chung wore this outfit in the summer of 2013, but this style is still great to copy this year.
That tweed jacket is timeless, and we love how she made it look low-key by wearing denim cutoffs and a white tank top. You can even wear sneakers with this outfit, but her sandals are just as perfect.
Jamie Chung pairs a timeless tweed jacket with denim cutoffs for a casual outing in Los Angeles, seen shopping on Melrose Avenue on June 7, 2013 (Credit: WENN)
7. Edgy Elegance: Transforming Fit-and-Flare Dresses With Blazers
Fit-and-flare dresses are adorable, but if you want to tame the cuteness a little bit, a blazer will help immensely. Hayden Panettiere did just that with this look.
At the Glamour Magazine Women of the Year Awards 2013 in London, England, on June 5, Hayden Panettiere styles a fit-and-flare dress with a blazer, adding an edgy twist to a feminine look (Credit: WENN)
8. Sculpting Silhouettes: Boxy Blazers Over Body-Con Dresses
Balance is the key to a striking look. So, a boxy blazer may be handy if you are wearing something figure-hugging. Lily Collins’ outfit is a spot-on example. Her boxy blazer added volume to her silhouette.
Lily Collins adds dimension to her figure-hugging dress with a boxy blazer at the ITV Studios in London, England, enhancing her silhouette on June 3, 2013 (Credit: WENN)
9. Boho Chic: Maxi Skirts and Cropped Tops With a Structured Blazer
It’s casual, but it’s not lacking in style. Jennifer Lawrence was a boho babe in her slitted skirt and knotted top. She amplified the formality by adding a structured black blazer.
Jennifer Lawrence opts for a boho-chic ensemble, pairing a slitted maxi skirt and knotted top with a structured blazer, spotted while shopping in West Hollywood on April 27, 2013 (Credit: WENN)
10. Color Pop: Enhancing Outfits With Colored Pants and a Preppy Blazer
Monochromatic outfits are cute, but if you get tired of the same formula, try a colored pair of pants. Take a look at Kourtney Kardashian’s outfit.
She paired her preppy blazer with red pants. She also made the look edgier by wearing knee-high hunter boots and oversized sunnies.
Kourtney Kardashian enlivens her ensemble with red pants and a preppy blazer, accessorized with knee-high boots and oversized sunglasses, seen at Novikov restaurant in London, England, on April 24, 2013 (Credit: WENN)
These outfits are chock-full of inspiration, don’t you agree? They prove how versatile a blazer can be. So, don’t just relegate this key piece in your wardrobe for work attire only. Try incorporating it in your casual, everyday ensembles, and see what difference it can make!