Finding Balance in an Oversized Blazer World
They're big. They're dramatic. They're...tough to wear. How to find yourself in the wild world of blazers right now.
Jacket shoulders have gotten comically big over the past few years. Should we blame Raf? Or Saint Laurent? It’s a tie. But the trickle down of the broad shouldered blazer is not as easy to recreate and execute as say, an Alaia mesh flat or Celine gold-buttoned jacket. Without the right styling (and some tailoring) these shoulder pads can end up wearing you, quickly.
You can of course always acknowledge that not all trends are for you. But now we are at a point that many standard shapes are just coming out bigger!! So today, what to do about (and with) the ever growing blazer.
I find there are many ways to tackle this. Choose a standard blazer and size up for a bit of slouchiness. Or take one size down in a blazer that is designed with big, sharp shoulders. And then you need to think about where you’re going. Sometimes an oversized blazer is best as a jacket replacement instead of an office uniform.
Blazers these days come in two functional categories: the bulky, heavy wool that should be considered outerwear. And a strong shoulder + straight and slim body that can work for work. We are going to tackle both.