This is a big call, but I’m confident I can help you out 🙂 As a regular blazer-wearer myself, I know that the perfect blazer can make almost any outfit look that little bit more sophisticated, it’s your lazy-girls cheat to looking chic no matter what you are wearing.

But finding that perfect blazer can be tricky. So when I got a request from a Chasing Cait reader recently to help them find a good blazer, I thought it would be a great post – especially heading into Autumn.

So here are my expert tips on what to look for when shopping for a blazer.

1. Shape is key.

Generally, you want to look for a blazer that give your some waist definition (regardless if you feel like you have a defined waist or not). When you are looking at blazers in the stores, turn them around and have a look at the paneling through the back of the garment. You want lots of different seams, that will give the blazer more shape on the body.

Here are three blazers in stores right now that I love the fit of.

SHOP THE BLAZERS: Max linen blazer $89.99 on sale (was $149.99) | Jacqui E lyocell jacket $169.95 | Jeanswest ponte blazer in navy (also in black) $99.95

2. Start with black or navy

A versatile, dark colour is usually the best place to start. They will go with most things in your exciting wardrobe and you will have the most choices in these colours.

Now I know I say that black isn’t the best colour for most people, but you are usually wearing a blazer over something not black, so that will help break up the colour.

3. Let’s talk about length

Sorry girls, I hate to tell you, but there is actually not right length for a blazer. It depends of a few factors. Mainly what you are wearing it WITH.

If pants are on the menu, then a blazer can be a little longer, coming down to, or below your hip. But if you are wearing it with a dress or skirt, then generally a slightly shorter, more cropped blazer works better as it helps elongate your leg.

Basically, what you are trying to do is make your body look as long as possible, so look at the proportions of the blazer, compared with the rest of your outfit – longer line on the bottom (ie. pants) = longer blazer, shorter line on the bottom (ie. a dress or skirt that finishes half way down your leg) = shorter blazer.

4. Cuff your sleeves

This is a simple stylist trick to make your arms look slimmer, and give your outfit a more casual feel. By cuffing your sleeve, you are exposing the slimmest part of your arm – your wrist – and drawing attention to it (and away from other parts of our arms that some of us might not like so much)

5. Ignore the size

This is probably the ONE most helpful piece of info I can give you when shopping for the perfect blazer. You want to make sure the blazer fit across your SHOULDERS and around your BACK – that doesn’t mean you have to be able to do it up across your bust of tummy.

In fact, you don’t want to wear your blazer done up – you want to use the front of it to create a VERTICAL LINE down your body (it’s the most slimming silhouette)

So don’t be scared to go down a size (or even 2 – my favourite Jacqui E blazer is a size 8 and I’m usually a pretty standard size 12)

This is my fave blazer (clearly!) and it’s a size 8 from Jacqui E – sure they size small, but I also want it to create that great vertical line down my body, and not bag on my shoulders

BONUS TIP: The perfect blazer is one of the foundations of a good smart/casual look. Use it to dress UP a casual jeans+tee combo, or to make a feminine, casual dress smarter and more workplace appropriate. I can probably count on one hand the outfits I WOULDN’T put a blazer with, they are seriously one of the most useful and vertical garments you can own.

So there you have it, go forth and blazer- shop to your heart’s content now!

Until Next Time, In Love & Style Always,

Still not sure which is the best blazer for you? Then make sure you book me for a 1-on-1 personal styling package here in Auckland. We can get you looking and feeling great in no time. More info here.