Hooks the Look

The Black Blazer: 3 Spring Outfits

Blazers are once again having a moment in fashion, coming in hot for Spring. And while the oversized silhouette is favored by many designers and stylists, the more traditional fit can look just as fashionable.

The black blazer is hardly a one-trick pony, either. Dressed up or down, slip it on and you’ve added a bit of effortless polish to your look. Is there any among us who can deny its mysterious and magical ability to level up even a knock-around outfit like jeans and a striped shirt?

I simply adore the combination of black with various shades of blue, especially denim. In my eye, black gives denim a little edginess and denim helps to soften the impact of black. Pairing a black blazer with a pair of medium-wash jeans is about as classic a combination as you can get. Add to that a striped shirt and a pair of ballet flats with crisscrossed straps, and I’m ready for a whole day of adventure.

This black blazer came into my possession in July 2021 after coming across it in a local thrift store where it was priced at 99¢. I know this because it was featured in Inspired By: Magnificent 8 Collaboration and then a short while later in Secondhand Finds & OOTDs: July 2021. My jeans were an early pandemic find at Costco. But the true treasures of this look are my navy blue ballet flats with their crisscrossed straps and 3/4″ wedge heel that I bought back in early 2018. They’re a dream to wear and were also recently seen in Just Hanging Around.

The striped shirt I bought about a month ago and it quickly became a favorite daily wear even though it hasn’t yet been seen on the blog. Initially, I thought the stripe was black but it’s actually a very dark navy blue. Notice how I’ve used my wonky buttoning technique at my waist? I like it as an alternative to the multitude of tucking or tying options that you commonly see.

With a shirt like this one where the fit is slightly oversized, I typically will get it in a size smaller than my normal. I do this for two reasons; 1) oversize can often overwhelm and look too baggy, and 2) size denial (see last week’s Size Denial And A New ‘Fit’ness Plan for more on that topic). But there’s a third consideration I make when deciding on the purchase of a garment with a pattern and that is the placement and/or matching of said pattern.

This shirt has a patch pocket along the bust line which is not easily seen in these photos and for good reason. I wouldn’t have bought this shirt if the stripes on the pocket fabric didn’t match up perfectly with the stripes on the bodice. IMHO, any misalignment gives a garment the appearance of being of lower quality (not that mine is a designer item) and it will draw a viewer’s attention to that area of the garment. In the case of this shirt with its chest-high pocket, I don’t need any extra emphasis on that part of my body. While I could have bought either size of this shirt at the store, the stripes on the smaller-sized one did not align so size denial didn’t win out that day.

Need more proof of how much oomph a black blazer can add to a knock-around outfit? Well then, I present a sweatpants and graphic t-shirt ensemble that should surely convince you. Not gonna lie though, the leather loafers probably help some as well. The tale of how I came upon my animal print sweatpants was part of the story shared a few weeks ago in Style Revelation Or Fashion Faux Pas. The woven leather loafers I’m wearing were a similar impulse purchase made during the post-holiday sales. My graphic t-shirt dates back a few years and made its first appearance on the blog in Garden Spot: Rebel Heart.

When I was still working, I typically included a completer piece like a blazer or a cardigan in my outfits. For the third of my 3 Spring outfits, I’ve paired my black blazer with a floral print dress to create such a look. With a pair of tall boots and a leather purse, this blazer and dress combo would be seasonally appropriate in the Fall or Winter as well. For Spring/Summer, these fisherman-styled clogs are a good choice if you want the look of a clog but need the added stability of a heel strap.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. Today’s featured post from the last link-up, How to Stop Being a Clothes Hoarder, which was added by April over at Getting My Act Together. All I can say is that rarely does a blog post make me sit back and say “wow”. Oh, and April is a genius. This was the first time she’s joined the Fine-Whatever link-up and I hope it won’t be her last.

Have you thought to wear your black blazer this Spring? I hope that I’ve at least tempted you to give it a try. What other styling ideas can you think of?

Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.

Photo credit: MMPerez

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20 Comments

  1. Di

    You styled three great outfits for spring with that classic black jacket. What amazing good luck to thrift it for 99 cents! I am with you, and am overwhelmed by oversized, so stick to a more traditional fit. You have inspired me to get my black blazer out of the fall and winter wardrobe and see how I can wear it for spring Thanks for sharing and the link up, and enjoy your week!

  3. marsha57

    You are so good at combining different elements of an outfit and creating something fresh and perfect for you! I do have a couple of jackets, but I wouldn’t consider them blazers. That’s one of the holes in my closet, but I’m ok with that. I know I wouldn’t reach for one because I don’t really like the structure of a blazer with my body type. I love the look on others, though! I love those fisherman clogs because I absolutely need that back strap in order to walk and not walk out of my shoes! I hope you’ll visit for a link party today (Monday) and Friday!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

  7. thisblondesshoppingbag

    You are speaking my love language here Rena! Blazers make everything better. I’m not a fan of the oversized version on me but I sure do like it on others. I’m with you though, the black blazer, in a traditional cut is certainly no one trick pony!
    xo,
    Kellyann

  8. April

    Well I feel so flattered, thank you!! And thank you for the extra traffic this brought me today.

  11. Nancy s Fashion Style

    Fabulous with the dress! Love those shoes a lot too. I do love a black blazer! Just like you said, it ads instant style to a look.

  13. mummabstylish

    I love blazers and have a few in my wardrobe. Black always works so well doesn’t it. Jacqui x

  14. Gail Is This Mutton

    I love a black blazer, they look sooo good with jeans. I found mine several years ago on a discount rail for just £10. It’s a Max Mara!

  15. Michelle

    Oh wow, Rena! You have convinced me. I will be putting a black blazer in my list of needed items. All of these outfits are amazing!