Yes, it's the 20th of the month and time for this regular feature with my blogging friends Ann and Samantha. It's my turn to choose a piece for us to style and I've chosen the most ordinary of jackets, the blazer. My reasons being that a) most of our readers will either have or have once had a blazer, b) I wanted to alter the preconception of this conservative article of clothing (I'm surely not the only one who thinks navy and nautical when you mention blazer?), c) it's a chance to show you all sorts of interesting versions of the blazer, d) to offer up a variety of ways to wear it that aren't in the least mundane. Also, I've invited my friend and fellow blogger Julia to join us in the style challenge.
Julia is a breath of fresh air in the blogging world: exuberant, fun and refreshingly honest that her body type doesn't conform to the norm as far as mainstream fashion goes, but will be damned if that means she's to be excluded from the party. She champions all the lovely ladies who, like her, are apple shaped as well being generously blessed in the bust department. I love her for all these reasons and more. I've know her since she started her blog last year and am so happy to see her blossom as time progresses and her confidence grows. Julia is wearing a longer length blazer in cornflower blue. The blazer and her gorgeous coral handbag are artfully tied together with the floral dress. The one constant throughout Julia's blog is her dazzling smile - she just exudes happiness! See Julia's blog, When The Girls Rule here and follow her on instagram here.
Details -
Jacket - Calvin Klein
Dress - Worthington
Shoes - Franco Sarto
Handbag - Liz Claiborne
Samantha is also sporting a blue blazer, hers being a striped version. Never one to miss the chance to mix her patterns, Samantha has added a spotty print mini skirt to ensure this look won't drift into the boring category. And as if the pop of red in brooch and handbag aren't enough to drum the point home, she adds a final punch with those stellar boots! Find Samantha's blog Fake Fabulous here and follow her instagram here.
Details -
SHOES: Topshop
TIGHTS: Gipsy
SHIRT: Urban Outfitters
BLAZER: Primark
BROOCH & EARRINGS: Gifts
BAG: FIORELLI
SKIRT: Boden
Ann's pink blazer has done a bit of Ping-Ponging itself - once handed over at a clothes swap party, the remorse was too much for Ann who instantly regretted it. A couple of years later it appeared almost as if by magic at another swap party where she snatched it back and isn't planning on letting it go again! Ann's styling is anything but conservative here. Trainers, micro mini skirt, tee shirt and pretty pink sunnies all say casual with a capital C! Find Ann's blog Kremb De La Kremb here and follow her on instagram here.
Details -
Sunnies--Thailand Night Market in Hua Hin
Earrings--Betsy Johnson (and one sadly just broke!)
Necklaces--TJ Maxx
Tank--Florence Market
Blazer--H&M and then a swap!
Denim Skirt--DIY from second hand shop
Trainers--Adidas
This beautiful blazer was a Christmas present from my husband (guided perhaps by my daughter). It's been too cold to wear it until now, so the timing couldn't have been better. I've ended up all Great Gatsby meets New Romantics, wearing pleats, frills and pearls to compliment the intricate pattern of the jacket. Lace tights and burgundy Oxfords finish the look.
Oh dear! How disappointing that I've ended up with Nora Batty tights on the last shot. This really wasn't the image I was after.
Details -
Blazer: Vila Clothes
Blouse: Jo-Ed Sophisticates
Skirt: charity shop
Belt: charity shop
Belt: charity shop
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell, California
Tights: Topshop
Pearls: Debenhams
Rings: charity shop
Linking with -
Jess of Elegantly Dressed And Stylish
Laurie of Vanity And Me
Anna x
ohhh, such a lovely and inspiring post!, and I like particularly your 'Great Gatsby meets New Romantics' style, your pleated skirt and beautiful jacket with those cool oxfords (they rock!!!)
ReplyDeletebesos
Thanks Monica. I managed to hold off from going wild with some pattern play here (as is my wont) and I'm really pleased with the details adding the impact this time. The cream skirt reminds me of cricket teas for some reason, but at £3.50 from a charity shop I knew it would come into it's own sometime.
DeleteAnna x
Blazers are the perfect thing to wear at this time of year. I don't think they will ever go out of fashion either.
ReplyDeleteEach Blazer styled here is lovely.I like them all!
www.vanityandmestyle.com
To be honest Laurie, I've not really been much of a fan of blazers, until this one came along, and now I'm a convert. It's great how different all these blazers are - I'm suddenly considering a pink one for the summer after seeing Ann's.
DeleteAnna x
Great looks for blazers! Love your New Romantic spin. The tights and shoes keep it bang up-to-date.
ReplyDeleteCheers Gail. This fab new blazer of mine is such an exciting piece to add to my wardrobe. I can't wait to mix it up with some of my summer separates.
DeleteCheers
Anna x
Great looks, all three! Yours is the favourite for me!
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what you're meant to say to your blogging buddy!
DeleteThanks
Anna x
Love this detail-oriented romantic look!
ReplyDeleteMary
www.marymurnane.com
The joy is indeed all in the detail with this outfit Mary. I'm delighted you approve x
DeleteAnna
I like what you all did with your blazers here- so different! Your look is so glamorous (I love ruffled blouses!) I love the striped one! I picked up a striped blazer-style cardigan from Monsoon in the charity shop earlier and I am looking forward to dressing it up with lots of pin badges!!! x
ReplyDeleteIsn't is great how different we all looked? I love how each interpretation was anything but boring! Looking forward to seeing your Monsoon piece styled up on your blog x
DeleteAnna
I had to look up the Nora Batty reference. Hahaha. I was too taken by the design of the tights to notice the other part.
ReplyDeleteAll of you offer such distinctive interpretations of blazers. They are all worthy! I love a good blazer too, but usually I wear a boring old black one, although it has a bit of embroidery-style detailing.
Thanks for this round-up, Anna.
I wasn't sure if the pattern of the tights would be enough to distract the eye, but there you go. And yes, I think they're all worthy too.
DeleteYour black blazer doesn't sound all that boring if it's got a some detailing - it's all in the detailing eh?
Anna x
You are the epitome of beautiful, feminine, and yes romantic. I love the gorgeous print of the jacket and the subtle ruffle of the blouse and soft pleats of the skirt are SO PRETTY!!! You've accessorized perfectly with the pearls. When I get to the feet I'm a little disappointed. The contrast of the heavily soled Oxford shoe just doesn't finish all that loveliness at my comfort level...
ReplyDeleteYour blazer is just exceptionally wonderful Anna!
Hahah, I love your response to this Jude! You surely must know me well enough by now. Of course I'm not going to deliver the expected. A little bit quirky is how I see myself, and I just couldn't go all the way with this soft look by finishing with some teetering about heels - that wouldn't be in the least bit contemporary!
DeleteYou're right, the blazer is quite wonderful. Thanks Jude, as ever x
Anna
All lovely blazers and yours is magnificent! Love the tights - Nora Batty or not.
ReplyDeletexx
Thanks Veronica. I'm rather pleased with this jacket and you'll definitely be seeing more of it this season.
DeleteAnna x