The 3 (or 4) Black Blazers Every Girl Needs

I've never been shy about my expressing my love for The Blazer as a closet staple ;). To me, blazers are the perfect make-it-come-together piece, forever adding intensity and confidence to any look. Consequently, it should come as know surprise that I firmly feel every girl needs a election of them in her wardrobe...and chic, classic black is the obvious place to start. Like a certain potato chip, you really can't have just one. It simply won't do, darlings :). Where to start? Why, with  #1A: The Iconic Suiting Blazer, of course! This is a piece in finely woven wool or cotton, or a blend with a high percentage of one of those fabrics. Choose a stance that suits your figure - higher if an empire-style waist looks best on you, lower if a classic waistline is your preference. This is also a place to think about buttons. A three-button blazer will pull you together and be more structured. It's a wonderful, classy look for a curvier figure, a demure look for a straighter one. A single button is a bit softer and creates an elongated line. A two-button piece is a balance between flow and structure and often, but not always, denotes a closely-fitted silhouette as the buttons pull the fabric close to the body over the entire torso. Consider interesting details, such as satin lapels or leather trim, but -since this is a list of basics- don't go for anything too daring or trendy. This is an investment piece, something you'll have for many seasons (even decades!), so you'll want something that is perpetually stylish. Look for lined blazers, as this indicates a higher quality piece. If you have difficulty finding blazers that fit properly, buy one that fits your shoulders; the rest of the piece can be altered by a good tailor (definitely someone who should be on every girl's list of bff's!). For those of us who live in climes that experience chilly seasons, there's a #1B: The Iconic Suiting Blazer, One Size Up.  Really. Ever tried to fit your bulkier, but toasty warm, winter sweaters under your fabulous fits-perfectly-in-summer blazer and felt that frightening tightening at the shoulders? The sudden realization that if you go out like and this and drop anything, you're going to be ordering lilies for said blazer? Yep. Been there. Go one size up and try it all again. Muuuuuch comfier, right? Oui. So, now you have an excuse to buy another pretty blazer. Oh darn. Bet it makes all you tropical birds wish you lived in the icy hills, eh? :) Next on your hit list is #2: The Semi-Casual (Maybe Suiting) Blazer. This can be a suiting piece, or not. Think about a zip-front piece, a banded collar or collarless style, a smoking jacket/drapier/less structured piece or an open design. Consider the material in reference to the design - smoothness or sheen will elevate, nubbly texture or knit will be more relaxed. What you're searching for is that sweet spot of semi-casual: polished enough to be professional or somewhat formal with the right accessories, but not quite as refined as the iconic suit jacket. This is the option you'll choose to tone down a sequin-frosted sweater or elevate a denim workshirt. It's enough, but not too much. Lastly, your most casual of blazer choices: #3: The Informal/Tough. This is the piece that stands in for a leather jacket. It can be black denim, a military piece, a band jacket. It has a bit of edge and attitude - biker styling, lots of hardware. A currently trendy option is the bomber. Caution: this is not an athletic jacket. Resist the stretchy warm-up wear ;). This piece still has shape (possibly cropped) and structure - those are what let it carry the outfit. This piece is for un-girly-ing your tulle skirts, topping your broken-in band tees, giving the rocker vibe to your metallic tanks and giving a careless twist to your LBDs. And that's it - that's all a girl really needs to cover pretty much every occasion in life. ..Unless she wants to add more *devilish grin*...like colors and statement pieces. But that's another post. 'Til then, happy shopping, loves!