Q. I’ve been reading all the fashion magazines and the ‘Boyfriend Blazer’ seems to be a hot trend for summer. What on earth does that mean? And how should I wear it?
A. The boyfriend blazer is an oversized jacket that looks as if you may have borrowed it from your boyfriend - hence the name. The jacket itself is a 1980’s fashion throwback, combining a man’s coat and with structured power suit. Easy to wear and effortlessly stylish, the boyfriend blazer has been championed by style queens such as Kate Moss, Charlize Thereon, Sarah Jessica Parker and Alexa Chung and that’s probably because it looks good whether you are at the office or having lunch with the girls.
The best look is a boyfriend blazer paired with a plain white tee, some dark skinny jeans and high heels - remember to wear it with the sleeves rolled up, for an air of relaxed cool. The great news is that there are a myriad of styles to choose from on the Irish high street - you can head to stores like H&M, Urban Outfitters, Topshop or Zara to grab this year’s hottest number. Not all boyfriend blazers have to be black or navy; you can find many that are in different colours and prints.
A huge trend this season is floral prints, so why not buy a boyfriend blazer and an eye catching fabric? Wear this blazer with a pair of lighter jeans, a dark shirt and colourful boots for a fashion - forward look. The nude jacket is also a big look for summer 2010 and - not only does it look simply wonderful with a light tan - it also works particularly well with everything from white skinny jeans, to pretty tea dresses.
Once you’ve chosen your outfit, it’s time to style it up. You don’t have to overdo it – the boyfriend jacket is statement enough. But still need a few key items to really give your look that off duty celebrity vibe.
Choose multi-coloured and multi-stringed necklaces for an bold look or team it with a selection of funky bangles. A scarf will also help pull your look together, throw on a silk pashmina to dress up your jacket or wind a long neon scarf around your neck for an unforgettable colour pop. Whether you choose oversized or fitted and sleek, this jacket will last you through this season and well into autumn.
Now that’s what I call a wardrobe investment.