It was a chilly Saturday in New York City when I visited The Real Real’s Soho boutique and fell hopelessly in love with a black collarless Bottega Veneta blazer. It was crafted from heavyweight wool-crepe, with a trio of buttons down the front of the bodice. It featured pointed shoulders, a low scoop-neck and a torso that tapered into an hourglass shape with a light peplum at the back. The jacket was in immaculate condition and even had all of its original tags attached. Italian size 38 fits me like a glove, with a little breathing room. I just had to have it.
Not one to go shopping on a whim—especially not for a blazer, which is far from my fashion kryptonite—I felt the first wave of the coming style change. On the way home I wondered, why, and why now?
As a garment of utility as well as sentiment, the blazer imparts a sense of maturity and polish that isn’t always so strongly expressed with a simple t-shirt or knit – a look that has become my default. (If you see me in the office these days, chances are I’m wearing a light gray Casasola crewneck. white t-shirt Below.) I never want to feel like I’m trying too hard, and the sweater and tee combo brings that easy glow and ‘doableness’ I always strive for when getting dressed. But relying too much on a formula can take away the fun of getting dressed, and sometimes you need a shake up to keep things exciting – that’s how I’ve been feeling lately. I still stand behind the power of uniform dressing, but it’s also nice to embrace something new-Ish From time to time.
I emphasize that –Ish Partly because during my teenage years, the blazer was my default. In college, I was into the Isabel Marant phase, obsessing over how the label’s blazers looked with miniskirts and dresses (because they were the style for it). routeFor years, I wore a black Sandro blazer with snow-leopard lining whenever I got the chance. My favorite way to style it was with a mini skirt, a slubby linen tee, and little suede cowboy boots. After graduate school I literally and figuratively grew out of my blazers — putting together, trying too hard — and now I only have one, Relaxed Stye by Myleene Bigger (a matchbox purchase from last fall, RIP). I quite like it, but it doesn’t give me the twinkling confidence it used to.
