Ah the jacket/blazer.
There are some on whom the blazer is a thing of beauty. So "je ne sais quoi", so effortlessly chic.
And then there are the short women with large chests.
These are the women for whom the jacket becomes just another bulky layer, just another way to shout to the world "look at me! all of my weight is up THERE!!!" You can see the arrows pointing at you from every direction.
There are exceptions of course.
A really expensive, well cut jacket of a lightweight material, can hold it all in AND add shape, all while skimming over the girls in the most becoming of ways.
That jacket/blazer, my friends, is like the unicorn, and when you find it you must buy it forthwith and be glad. You can even gloat a bit to your busty pals, feeling their steely gaze of contempt and remorse upon your contained self.
But for me, for most of us, the solution is the sweater jacket/blazer.
A knit version that adds little bulk, skims and supports, makes you feel dressy without feeling like the Michelin Man.
I have a few of these beauties in my closet and I have seen a few more that can go casual or more dressy depending upon what you pair them with.
Fossil has introduced the Erin Sweater Blazer, which comes in 3 colours. I am choosing to showcase the Dani BP colour story one:
I have no experience with Fossil clothing, so I cannot recommend or not recommend this, but I think it is awfully nice and seems very fall-ish to me.
Banana Republic has a number of sweater jackets in their fall rollout:
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| Moto Sweater jacket |
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| Textured Moto Jacket |
Faux Leather Trim Moto Jacket
It appears that BR is all over the moto jacket, which I don't mind at all, as I quite like it.
Other options:
How aboout the Brora Biker Jacket:
Other options:
How aboout the Brora Biker Jacket:
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| It does seem as if the whole world has gone Sons of Anarchy, doesn't it? |
Talbots has a nice version:
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| Teacups - I noticed Talbots has a sweater with teacups! |
or this Loro Piana cashmere number:
And I would love Smythe's chubby faux fur sweater/jacket. I have seen this in person and it is magnificent!
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I am still interested in the BR grey moto jacket, but I can wait for a sale..
For me, in the end, a knit blazer is a wonderful thing. It has only taken me about 20 years to figure that out!
How about you? Any one else a knit jacket/blazer fan?
Hope you have a wonderful day - stay safe out there!
xoxo wendy
I LOVE LOVE LOVE sweater jackets. I have J crew's Piazza sweater jackets in all three colors and the 2010 Arrow Jacket. Sweater jackets are cool without the frump...haha...I wished J crew would make for sweater jackets and in more colors.
ReplyDeleteI loved that sweater Wendy! I wish everyone would make more sweater jackets! I am starting a campaign right now!
DeleteI'm also a fan of sweater jackets--my workplace is business casual for part of the year so they are perfect options. J.Crew's 2007 Alice sweater jacket is my favorite--still shows up frequently on eBay..
ReplyDeleteHi Hexicon - I don't recall the Alice Jacket, but now am off to look!
DeleteVery pretty. I'm a jacket girl but am more licorice stick than hourglass so tend to err on the side of structured. I do like those moto jackets though and one can never have too much Smythe. Excellent curation. Fall us the toughest time for me to demonstrate fiscal responsibility but I'll just drool at the Balmain. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteI know - isn't that Balmain amazing????? I have a couple of Smythe pieces and I can attest to the fact that Smythe can dress chesty women. I am a licorice stick with boobs. What the hell is that called?
DeleteGreat style is timeless. My style inspiration has been a woman I saw walking on Madison Avenue almost 20 years ago - she was wearing dark almost black slim jeans, severely classic navy blazer, 3 buttons, narrow lapels, and a pale pale blue oxford short. I think she was wearing cordovan loafers but with a thick 2" heel. She looked great.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about blazers is that if one detail is off, they're awkward. So don't give up - work out whether you need a jacket that has one, two, three or even four buttons. Try different lengths, different lapel widths.
Meanwhile, I too am still loving my Arrow sweaters, I have 2.
Okay - I will be looking for the Arrows as well as the Alice! I agree - a really good one is a good thing. I never wear button ups because I also find them very bulky on me on top - a soft jersey just seems to work better. That woman sounds amazing! I am now at the point where I think if I find the perfect jean/blazer, I should buy two of them!
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DeleteI agree with WellFedFred. Finding the perfect fit and details is paramount. I seem to repeat the same mistakes with proportions so I appreciate the reminder to think before I purchase. My pitfall is buying sweaters and jackets that are too short for my long torso. I've had some recent success with the J Crew Ludlow jacket and the Madewell Duskfall blazer. There are a few friends and sales people in certain retail stores whose opinions I trust (and are brutally honest) if I am unsure about something I am on the fence about buying. That can be a huge help.
DeleteAgree completely. The Ludlow was wretched on me as I am short torso with boobs and long legs for a short person. Go figure!
DeleteI looked at the grey motto jacket from BR last week at the mall. it had a gold zipper which just turned me off. Although I like jackets, i don't seem to do well with blazers because of the girls. Loved J Crew's sweater jackets they put out many years ago and am looking trying to decide if I want to try the Arran Wool Cape from Massimo Dutti. This 90F weather is getting to me.
ReplyDeleteI didn't.native it was gold hardware, that would likely be a nonsstarter fir me too! I keep trying on capes, but I am short and it makes need feel like I am wearing a circus tent. however, the perfect one may be out there for me!
DeleteI love them bc it gives me respectability without being formal and I need to layer my clothes with the changeable weather and goat does them very well and Londoners wear these a lot
ReplyDeleteGoat? Must look into this!
DeleteI still have nightmares about Sons of Anarchy. Thanks for the mention Wenders that would fit into my Colour Story, do you remember my golden yellow JCrew sweater coat? Love that and I'm planning to wear it this fall even though I forgot to include it in my story pictures.
ReplyDeleteMy 12yo wanted to buy a moto type pleather jacket yesterday while we did her back to school shopping, I convinced her to choose a field-type jacket instead, warmer and more practical and made her look less tough. It was cute on her though, she tried it on with a little floral dress!
Anyway that shopping is done and I've ordered back to school for G from JCrew, and it's a jacket! Also some garnet red pants, those are her two items which exhausted her budget, I hope they fit her so I don't have to return them.
Love your style posts Wendy!
I have an H&M pleather moto jacket I bought last year which I still love! For me, it was a style I did not want to invest a lot of $ in! I think Little Rascal and I are kindred shopping spirits style wise!!! I love that yellow sweater! Good luck with the G purchases. Sydney has bought a winter jacket and a fall jacket in the last few weeks. The winter was a fabulous vero modo parka and was a steal and very fun!
DeleteI think i have place for both the structured blazer and also the sweater jacket/ in my closer.
ReplyDeleteLately i have been loving silk blouses with sweatshirts or blazer.It might have to do with my work though:)
Forgot to say that i would love to own a moto jacket!
DeleteYou know I am down to one button-up in my closet? I am all about the silk tops though - love them!!! Ina - you are so teeny-tiny you look fabulous in anything!
DeleteLove sweater jackets, makes one look pulled together yet moves with you compared to a stiff blazer. I still have Jcrew's navy Jamie jacket which I wear every fall, thick gauge washable cotton that does not go out of style. I do not understand why Jcrew hates reissuing its winners.
ReplyDeleteMy square shoulders and broad back scream out for knit jackets. They must nip in at the waist, or I look like a tank! I closely resemble Marlon Brando in a moto style.
ReplyDeleteButton "placement" is of paramount importance if the "girls" are large. No one needs three headlights all lined in a row:) I'll take the Loro Piana please, along with a winning lottery ticket!
Oh that sweater blazer up top and the oh so lovely Lora Piana are big winners although with Northern Euro complexions the Piano would likely need a darker turtleneck (or scarf) underneath to make it work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy. I will definitely check out that sweater. I do own a lovely silk scarf with pretty teacups already. I love blazers. My shape is originally hourglass. But alas extra pounds and extra years have altered the proportions. I now am top heavy but still smaller in the middle. I don't think that flowy garments do me any favors. I stick to blazers, buttoned blouses, skinny jeans with flats or boots for much of the fall and winter. Not sure if the mirror is deceiving me but I find fitted more flattering and I love the look! I am not sure if you are a fan but I wanted to share some happy news that my husband has gotten me a couple of tickets for next Friday to Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. For me the most exciting part is the Project Runway fashion show. This is high up on my bucket list! I will report on the frivolities.
ReplyDeleteLove your choices, Wendy! I have several and love them all!
ReplyDeleteHello Wendy,
ReplyDeleteIt is so useful appearing here as you explain all the wardrobe malfunctions that we live with so accurately. Now we can go forth and shop with confidence, armed with your expert style advice.
We never knew that the sweater jacket was a must......but now we do!
Hi Wendy, good point about the structure that a knit jacket offers. I have been waving the flag for sweater jackets ever since I bought a few of J. Crew's sweater jackets from 2007-2008. They are worth their weight in gold. The quality of the jackets they did back then cannot be matched by anything available now at the same price point. Definitely worth hunting on Ebay!
ReplyDeleteI like sweater jackets because they are less formal than blazers (my life is not very formal these days). They also seem to acquire fewer wrinkles.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely a fan, for the reasons you mention ;) and for comfort! I can't stand how a blazer confines me and restricts movement. Ick..
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