Hi, could you please give me tips how to wear fancy jackets? This is something I´m really not confident to wear because I´m scared to make mistakes. I don´t want to look too trying hard and not put together. I want something sleek but not sure where to start. Thanks a lot! ~ Charmaine
Hi Charmaine,
What a great question! I love jackets and it’s not because I’m always cold. You can dress up an outfit with a great fitting jacket. That makes jackets a wonderful accessory to have on hand. I understand you want to look well put together and sleek. The good thing is a jacket can easily glam up an outfit without looking like you tried too hard. You just need to remember:
1. A Good Fit
A jacket will look good only if it fits you. It could be your size, but if the shoulders are too wide or narrow, then it’s not a good fit. Measure from shoulder to shoulder. If the width is same or similar to your shoulder to shoulder measurements, then HOORAY! My shoulders are 15″ apart. I like to wear a jacket with 15″ shoulder to shoulder. If the jacket is thicker, then I allow the shoulder to shoulder to be 16″ or 17″, but no more than that.
2. Classic vs. Trends
Classic jackets are timeless. You can wear the jacket twenty years from now and still look pulled together. Trends are fads that might not see the day of light the very next day.
3. Start Simple and Go Neutral
Start your outfit with a basic tank and jeans. I love pairing jackets with skinny jeans because jackets tend to make me more top-heavy. I like to balance my bottoms with a more slim silhouette.
I would go with neutral colored jackets like black, brown or navy for the first couple of jackets. The more neutral the color, the more timeless and easier to dress with. If you want a trendy jacket, go for brights or prints.
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The Leather Jacket
To be honest, I still have not found the right leather jacket for me. But if I had enough money, I would get one like that is pictured above. This is exactly the outfit I would wear with a leather jacket. Start simple with a lace cami and jeans. Add the knee high boots for a little edge to your outfit. The leather jacket just completes the image of the outfit – Edgy and Chic.
The Workhorse Blazer
I own so many blazers! Schoolboy, seersucker, boyfriend … Which one should you try? All of them. Why? Because you won’t know which one you like until you try it.
I like my suit blazers best. It has a tailored feel to it and it’s very light. The one pictured above looks like a boyfriend blazer because it’s a bit more slouchy. But what all blazers do is totally transforms an average outfit in to something more sophisticated.
Take this outfit. Start with a simple tank and black jeans. On a laid back day, I would wear sneakers to run around. However, add the blazer and the look transforms from school day to a more mature look.
I chose an orange blazer for a more trendy look. Go with neutrals like blacks, browns, or grays for a more classic look.
The Tweed (Boucle) Jacket
This is currently my favorite jacket. It is considered a timeless and very classic look. I normally pair my tweed jackets with button down shirts and skinny jeans. However the jacket would look great with shorts and a simple tank. I think the tweed jacket works with the shorts because of the accessories like the strappy sandals and neutral handbag.
The tweed jacket isn’t hard to wear. It took me a while to finally find the nerve to wear it because I didn’t think it was an item people my age would wear it. So give it a try. It will be a piece that you will continually grab from your closet.
The Trench
The ultimate spy coat that never goes out of style. A trench is another piece that not only is great for a work day but also for a night out. This coat immediately adds a level of maturity and sophistication without aging you.
Overall, none of these outfits were hard to put together. Don’t overwhelm yourself with color and making things match. Go with neutral colored jackets and remember to make sure the jacket fits you. If you want to invest in a designer jacket, go with a classic color and a classic style.
I hope this article helps Charmaine and others with similar predicaments. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below. Thank you!