How to Wear a White Blazer:
The inspiration behind this white-blazer look that’s just in time for summer, is the below runway shot from Balmain’s Spring 2011 collection. Christophe Decarnin, the designer behind the name, always brings a tough edge to his pieces and it keeps me (along with the rest of the fashion world) coming back for seconds, thirds, etc. In my opinion, Decarnin ushered in the military trend when it made it’s frenzied entrance onto last Fall’s fashion scene, and he hasn’t let go of that rough edge yet.
The below shot of the clean white blazer back to the ripped, distressed black pants, got me thinking…
Image courtesy of www.style.com
I took some liberties with the Balmain runway look and made one of my own. Here’s my take on how to wear the blazer…
1. Elizabeth and James Triple-Pocket White ‘James’ Blazer- $395 (www.saksfifthavenue.com) 2. Free People “Lacey Stripes” Tank- $54.40 from $68 (www.bloomingdales.com) 3. James Jeans Black Twiggy 25″ Cropped Pant- $114 (www.revolveclothing.com) 4. Badgley Mischka Kiss Kiss Black Slingback Pump- $140 from $200 (www.couture.zappos.com) 5. Givenchy Mini ‘Pandora’ Messenger Bag- $1125 (www.barneys.com) 6. Brass Silk Wrap Bracelet by Bhati Beads- $36 (www.athleta.com)
So obviously, we’re going to need the white blazer. Elizabeth and James, with their Triple Pocket ‘James’ blazer, hit the nail on the head. The length is right, the single button front works, and the lapel is perfection. Next is the free-flowing (voluminous) Free People ‘Lacy Stripes’ tank top to layer underneath. It’s not strictly neutral like the runway look. The black stripes and lace detail manage to make it look a little different, but that’s the point. The runway is the inspiration, it’s far from paint-by-number fashion.
It was not an easy feat to find some distressed black cropped pants, so I sided with the cleaner, probably far more wearable, ‘Twiggy’ cropped black pant from James Jeans. They work into the look seamlessly.
On to the accessories everyone…We’ll start with the Badgley Mischka ‘Kiss Kiss’ black sling-back pumps. There’s a little glitter going on here taking the basic sling-back and making it a little fancy-pants. Always fun. Badgley knows evening, period. Here comes the bag, messenger bag that is, from Givenchy. It’s not really budget-friendly, I’m not warped by ten years in luxury fashion, I get it. So I say, drool if you like (I am), knowing that you’ll never throw down over a thousand on a bag. It’s fine. Just get inspired. This Givenchy bag is stunning, simply, and following it’s lead to find something with a lower price point will never lead you astray.
I wanted some color going on here, and the necklace from the runway look wasn’t cutting it for me. Cue the silk wrap bracelet from Bhati Bead. It’s just a teeny pop of red. Just enough. Not to mention, the rolled up cuffs on the blazer lend themselves to some wrist action.
That’s all.
Love a good blazer as much as me? Yea, I thought so. Check out more in the land of all things blazer, jackets, and whatever else I can squeeze into the category of outerwear, plus see how to wear all of my favorites!
