Not just for the office anymore, the boyfriend blazer trend has brought the blazer front and center this season.


Though the trend is in the same vein as boyfriend jeans, the boyfriend blazer is quite different. Boyfriend jeans, as most of you agree, can look a little sloppy and are almost always casual. The boyfriend blazer, however, is a much more sophisticated homage to your man’s closet.


Celebs started styling cocktail dresses and skinny jeans with boyfriend blazers a few seasons ago. And, Fall 2009 runways were laden with different versions of the blazer. It’s not surprising then that pretty much every store, from discount to designer, has at least a few options to choose from. Of course, you can also visit your favorite guy’s closet or the men’s section of a thrift store.


Boyfriend blazers are super versatile. You can wear them with almost anything. And, they fit many different types of styles; feminine or edgy, a boyfriend blazer will most likely work with your outfit. Boyfriend blazers are also not age-specific. The same blazer can look quite trendy on a 16 year old or exceptionally classy on a woman in her 50’s.

How To Wear a Boyfriend Blazer

Boyfriend blazers are essentially fool proof to style. There are just a few pointers to remember…

Go One Size Up

A boyfriend blazer is meant to look like it really is your boyfriend’s blazer. Thus, it should be slightly larger than a tailored blazer that you might wear with a business suit. Most boyfriend blazers are made to fit this way, but keep that in mind when you’re shopping for one. It should be fairly loose through the middle so that when buttoned, you would be able to fit your arm between the blazer and your body. It should also be a little big on your shoulders. Instead of looking to make sure the seam is at the end of your shoulder, find a blazer where the seam is a half inch to an inch beyond the end of your shoulder.
Don’t go TOO big, though! You don’t want to look swallowed by your blazer.

Roll Up The Sleeves

One of the characteristics of the boyfriend blazer is rolled up sleeves. If you’ve tried on one of your favorite guy’s blazers and it didn’t look quite right to you, it might have been because this piece was missing. Rolling up the sleeves adds your own little touch. It’s like you ransacked your man’s closet and styled it up a bit to suit you.

Avoid Shoulder Pads

You may have a large blazer hanging in your closet that is a relic from your oh so stylish days in the 80’s. Chances are, your vintage hot pink blazer has shoulder pads in it. It’s true that broad shoulders are in this season, but not really for the boyfriend blazer style. If you want to make your old blazer work as a boyfriend blazer, lose the shoulder pads. This is also important to remember when shopping for boyfriend blazers at thrift stores.

Wear Boyfriend Blazers With…

As I said before, boyfriend blazers can be worn with pretty much anything. Any cut of jean, dresses of any length, skirts, shorts, you name it…


However, there are a few ways to wear boyfriend blazers that will set you apart from the crowd. In a good way. Here are the most stylish ways to wear boyfriend blazers.

With a dress or skirt that is just a couple of inches longer than the blazer.

To make your blazer look like it was styled intentionally for your outfit, wear a dress or skirt that is just slightly longer than your blazer. One to two inches is a safe bet.

With skinny jeans and tall boots.

A boyfriend blazer layered over a fitted shirt, skinny jeans and tall boots is a very classy, sophisticated look that women of any age can wear.

As a tunic with leggings.

If your boyfriend blazer hits below your butt, button it and wear it as a tunic over leggings.

Shopping for Boyfriend Blazers

While it’s true you can find a boyfriend blazer by raiding your favorite guy’s closet or scouring the racks at a thrift store, the ones you find in stores will most likely fit better and be made for rolled sleeves. While shopping for a boyfriend jacket, make sure to remember the pointers I gave above (especially if your shopping excursion consists of a visit to a closet or thrift store).

Boyfriend Blazers Under $60

Shown: Nordstrom, Forever 21, Forever 21, Alloy

Boyfriend Blazers Under $100

Shown: New York & Company, Alloy, Alloy

Boyfriend Blazers Over $150

Shown: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Banana Republic, JCrew, JCrew

Thoughts?

I have to admit that it took me a few tries to get my boyfriend blazer look right. Or, maybe it just took a few tries for me to get used to the look. Now, I want to wear my boyfriend blazer with everything!


What about you? Have you tried the boyfriend blazer trend yet? If not, I hope this post inspired you to try!