Building a blazer collection 

One of the most common questions I get asked about my wardrobe from friends both old and new, is always related to my blazer collection. There are questions around how to style one, where to buy them and even when to wear one. Styling and buying a blazer for the first time can sometimes feel a little bit intimidating no matter your age or sense of style. I remember buying my first blazer when I was in my early 20s thinking that I’d figure out some way to wear it at some point. I was so wrong. It took me a veryyy long time to find the confidence to wear my blue and yellow dog toothed blazer and, figure out how to even incorporate it into my then wardrobe. Fast forward to a few years down the line, putting outfits together which included a blazer finally started to come second nature to me and after lots of trail and error, also started to fit into my wardrobe with hardly any styling effort. 

Over the past few years I have noticed that blazers have become a staple for every kind of wardrobe which to me means there really is something out there for everyone. There are so many styles on the market and so many retailers now make an array of styles and colours to fit everyones personal style and at price points to fit everyones pocket size too. Knowing where to start with building a blazer collection can be quite daunting especially if this is something you have tried in the past and then decided it may not be for you. This happens all so often because its so easy to try the wrong style, shape, cut and colour before actually  figuring out what works for you. The most important things to remember when deciding to begin this capsule blazer journey is to look for blazer styles that fit your personal style. There are many trendy styles that look amazing on so many people but if the trendy route is the route you normally go down, then steer away from these styles as they can end up clashing with what you already have in your wardrobe. Another tip is to always go for items that will have longevity in your wardrobe. This to me means good quality and great versatile design. Blazers with finishes that compliment other  items in your wardrobe go a very long way. Lastly, always go for styles that actually suit you. I am obsessed with cropped blazers and love seeing people style them up, however, a cropped blazer on me just isn’t the one. I’ve tried many times in many different fitting rooms but I just know that it unfortunately is not a style that suits me. 

When building your blazer collection, I think there are some key styles that should definitely be explored. I have outlined some ways that helped me think differently and clearly about certain styles when I first decided to start building a blazer collection for myself. I think it is so important to be able to stop and ask yourself certain questions before introducing key items into your wardrobe as this helps ensure that you are buying what you will love and actually wear. 

A classic black blazer

A classic black blazer is the perfect item to start of your timeless blazer collection. It can be worn with literally everything depending on the style. Personally, I don’t think more than a couple of good black blazers in two distinctive styles are needed. When thinking of fabric, also think of practicality too. A black wool single breasted blazer will get so much wear that you may not even feel like you need another one added to your collection! A black double breasted blazer in a thick synthetic fabric would also get a lot of wear and also would be easer to layer up as it will be a little more breathable on top of layers. What is it you are looking for from your classic black blazer? 

Oversized blazers

In the past, purchasing an oversized blazer came as a bit of a struggle for me as I really didn’t know how to shop for a silhouette that suited me. I’ve seen people style vintage mens suit blazers and look incredible. I’ve also seen ladies blazers purchased in a few sizes up to get that oversized fit and it also look so good on others but for me, I’ve tried both and neither worked the way I wanted them to. I started looking at blazers that were designed to look oversized but even then, there were so many things to consider when looking at various styles. Something as simple as the placing of the buttons on an oversized blazer can really change the way your overall look can appear. The style of the shoulders really changes the fit of the oversized look too so ask yourself if you want a raglan/dropped shoulder, padded or a normal structured shoulder that is in line with the rest of the blazer shape. 

The leather blazer

As a retired late 2000s faux leather biker jacket girl, a leather blazer was a must for my blazer collection. That being said, when the tailored, oversized black faux leather blazer trend came out a couple of years back, I wasn’t immediately drawn to the idea of having a faux leather blazer as part of my wardrobe. I think this was because I simply just didn’t find anything that felt like it was completely me. After searching around a little bit I came across the most stunning sage green, tie belted faux leather jacket from Mango and I knew that that was going to live in my wardrobe for a very long time. My advice here is to go with what you are drawn to in terms of style, if you feel like a leather blazer is something for you. If a tie belt is something that fits with your usual silhouettes then go for that, if something fitted or cropped is more your style then opt for that rather than the usual black single breasted style. 

Vintage blazers 

Vintage blazers are the ones that I enjoy wearing the most but mainly because my vintage blazer collection comes from my grandmother and my mum. There is a story behind each piece and I feel so lucky to be able to now make them part of my own style stories. Vintage shopping can be so exciting and so much fun especially when you find unique and fabulous pieces. When buying vintage, look for styles and cuts that stand out to you and can be layered well. A lot of vintage blazers from the 80 and 90s are often made from quite thin material so that’s why, making sure you can layer up well is important, especially as you want this to be a seasonless item that gets a lot of wear.  One thing to steer away from is shopping for vintage pieces that exclusively look like current trend pieces. Ask yourself, is this a style that I want to wear or is it a style that I want to wear because I’ve seen it on the highstreet?