Why a blazer should be at the centre of any workwear wardrobe
Q. I’m pushing for a promotion and would like to look sharp, though I don’t have much to spend. Is there a quick fix?
A. The vast majority of my clients feel their best when they add a blazer to any outfit. The explanations range from feeling more pulled together and professional to feeling that they will be taken more seriously.
In the corporate world, where suits are a uniform for men and women, slipping a tailored jacket on over a dress or blouse is like donning a piece of armour. And from a style perspective, they can define (or create the illusion of) a waist, flatter a bum and balance out shoulders.
Finding the right one will depend on your body shape. I have a small waist but large hips, so I prefer longer line blazers that are tailored enough in the middle: Theory has a classic long style that comes in six different colours.
Navy peplum jacket, £265, The Fold. Brown blazer, £440, Theory .
If you’re straight up and down or petite, a shorter, nipped-in blazer, possibly with a peplum detail, is best. Hobbs excels at this length and has a great selection, my favourite being the burgundy.
Look for hard-wearing fabrics that will not only keep delivering year after year but also have enough stretch to wear all day long without crumpling – I find that a wool and polyester mix is a good combination.
Most brands have a staple navy or black option. I’d recommend The Fold – the fabrics are incredibly hardy and I haven’t yet met a client who doesn’t suit their Le Marais peplum style. Interestingly, though, colourful options are shifting just as fast. Jigsaw’s bright green sold out so quickly in early Autumn that the demand surprised the buying team. The same style has now been launched in a deep purple which might not be an obvious workwear colour but would look great paired with dove grey or navy.
Purple wool jacket, £199, Jigsaw. Grey wool jacket, £325, L.K. Bennett.
A checked blazer is a great office staple, though avoid green and brown tones as these may look too outdoorsy. LK Bennett has a charcoal blazer with a very subtle blue check running through it. It’s double breasted, but don’t worry too much about buttons - I think blazers hang better, and are generally are more flattering, when unbuttoned - just make sure the shoulders fit well.
