The Blazer That Has Our Lifestyle Editor Channeling The Duchess of Cambridge
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Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True, our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.
If there is one style lesson to be learned from Kate Middleton, it's that a blazer is always a good idea. The Duchess of Cambridge often chooses the classic staple for her official appearances—and its no wonder why. Whether boxy or in a slimmer cut, no matter when you look at the photos, she looks timeless and chic. It's hard to not want to strike that note for yourself. In fact, there's one blazer that Middleton has returned to time and time again in the last decade: Smythe's Duchess Blazer. She's worn it in navy, she's worn it in tweed—no matter how she styles it, she looks sleek and elevated. I'm no stranger to a blazer myself, so obviously I needed a Duchess for my collection.
So here's the twist: you know that iconic picture of Princess Diana wearing an off-white outfit cinched with a tan belt and topped off with an olive-hued blazer? It inspired me to spring for a blazer in that hue—specifically the Duchess. The idea: to nod to both royal style icons with a piece that blends their fashion know-how.
The first thing to note about the Duchess is that it is strategically tailored to enhance the silhouette. Some key features: a slightly puckered shoulder and a single button to close it. This creates a wonderful line, emphasizing my waist in a way that most blazers do not. Another fun detail is the cutout back vent, which, I happen to love because it sits above my pants, preventing any unsightly layering.
Another note is, while an army green blazer is slightly more unexpected than a black or a navy, it is so wearable. It looks great with ivory, it looks great with tan, and it can also be paired with jeans. It's my style secret to looking polished in these transitional not-quite-summer-but-definitely-not-fall weeks. And if all of the styling benefits aren't compelling enough, I get no less than 3 compliments on the Duchess every time I wear it. If that doesn't make you feel like royalty, I don't know what will.
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