Quick hits: Blazers


Can I be honest? I am not a big blazer fan. I get what they are supposed to do but I have never felt comfortable in them. As a result, I don’t have as much to say about these items as I do in normal reviews. I’ll kick things off with the Shapes Study Jacket ($98). How awesome is the styling shot above? Also note the Full Bouquet Clip ($18) on the lapel. Hugemongous, right? Much bigger than I expected in real life.


This jacket successfully transported me back to the 1980s while making me feel about 8 feet tall. I don’t think this blazer is going to be kind to anyone with a larger chest since it’s cropped. Taikonhu added padded shoulders (sigh) and a faux front pocket. The material feels like a suit you’d find at a discount store. I was less than enamored. I tried on my true size 6 but would size up to an 8 to buy.


Ett Twa’s Professoressa Jacket ($148) is a tweedy mix with suedelike elbow pads. The lining is really cute — it’s got an interesting animal print. This blazer was a bit too short on me but otherwise I liked the fit. I sized up to an 8; it was a bit loose but a 6 probably wouldn’t close correctly on me. It wasn’t too itchy and I get the college vibe from it. I was so happy there were no shoulder pads.


The Scarf Trick Sweater ($148) isn’t a blazer per se but it may as well be. It closes like one and fits like one. It comes in three different patterns and is made by Monogram. I liked the fit a lot — it is tailored to taper in nicely at the waist before gently giving way at the hips. Perfect for me. It’s made of the roughest boiled wool I have ever worn, like they left it in the oven too long. Take it easy next time guys! I tried on the medium and found it true to size. I like that it closes via snap and the button cluster on the bottom front is a neat touch.


The last two blazers I tried on are eerily similar but I promise I didn’t post the same pictures twice. First up is the Flipside Blazer ($88) by Cartonnier. Out of all the blazers I tried on I liked this one the best. It struck me as the most modern. It’s made from jersey which is a surprising choice yet it works. I like the thin pinstripes on the outturned wrists and the single button is placed perfectly to create a tiny waist without overemphasizing the chest. The medium was a good fit. It also comes in a heathered blue or grey. The head scratcher is that the care label says this is dry clean only even though it’s jersey. Boo.


The Flipside Blazer’s doppelganger is the Borrowed Blazer ($128) by Taikonhu. It has two buttons in the front instead of one and resembles a sport coat. A little too closely in my opinion — I got a distinctly masculine vibe from this one. There are ways to soften this and there’s nothing wrong with masculine; I love the menswear as women’s wear trend. For me this blazer was just too heavy on. My true size 6 closed easily so this one is true to size.

I started my blazer crusade looking for High Street’s Either-or-Jacket ($88) which I now see is online-only. Darn you Anthro! Good thing I can include this as part of a free shipping order.

18 Comments

  1. November 16, 2009 / 2:02 pm

    I don't like blazers either! I don't know why fashion experts are always saying they are an essential piece to have in your closet. I disagree.

  2. November 16, 2009 / 2:52 pm

    So glad you posted this – I always feel like I should like blazers, but I just don't – they look so awkward on me.

  3. Sharon from CA
    November 16, 2009 / 3:08 pm

    Thank you for doing a review on the Borrowed Blazer. I tried it on this weekend and had mixed feelings about it..did the lining on this blazer bunch up on the arms for you? If it wasn't for that, I think I would have gotten it.

  4. November 16, 2009 / 3:19 pm

    Aha, so I'm not alone in the anti-blazer crowd.Sharon, I didn't notice any bunching but that could be because I only had a tank on underneath. Did anyone else experience that issue?

  5. Sharon from CA
    November 16, 2009 / 3:47 pm

    Hi Roxy…I tried on an 8 and sized up to a 10 and still had the same problem but you could be right. I had on a 3/4 length shirt underneath. Maybe it's just not meant to be…

  6. November 16, 2009 / 5:10 pm

    Hi Roxy, I generally don't like blazers either until I tried the Borrowed Blazer. I liked how it dresses up my outfits for the fall/winter. My only complaint is that it is not fully lined.

  7. Anonymous
    November 16, 2009 / 5:13 pm

    I hate blazers. I am so glad I am not alone. If I get suckered into buying one I never wear it.

  8. Anonymous
    November 16, 2009 / 5:20 pm

    A follow up to my question about the best NYC Anthro to shop at: Is there any day of the week that's best for shopping at Anthro??Thanks Roxy!

  9. November 16, 2009 / 5:38 pm

    annie cat, it was one of the more convincing blazers I tried on. I agree the not fully-lined issue is rather strange. I guess it keeps the price down a bit?Hi Anon! Tuesday is the best day in my opinion. New sale markdowns and usually new inventory is out too. Hope you have good luck while you're here!

  10. November 16, 2009 / 5:51 pm

    I'm also glad you posted this – I too do not care for blazers! I feel weird in them, and I'm glad to see I'm not alone!That being said, the tweedy one looks super cute on you!

  11. November 16, 2009 / 7:22 pm

    The FlipSide blazer looks GREAT on you! Very flattering.I feel the same, I am much more of a cardigan kinda girl. Theyre so much more comfortable.

  12. November 16, 2009 / 9:03 pm

    yayyy flipside blazer! I cannot wait to try it on myself!

  13. November 17, 2009 / 12:33 am

    I am LOL'ing, only because I really did think I was the only anti-blazer person. Now I know better! And for all you blazer lovers please don't be offended. I think I'm just jealous that my friend Gabby can rock them like no other.Luci, thank you! I am a cardigan collector. What's your favorite? Maria, and I cannot wait to see it on you!

  14. November 17, 2009 / 1:23 am

    I actually love blazers, but the fit has to be right. I used to wear a lot from JCrew until the sizing went crazy.

  15. November 17, 2009 / 3:46 am

    Yes I try really try to "get" the blazer thing but I really never have. Always feels like part of a suit. That said, being in a profession where suits are a norm though not in my tiny niche (but for trials), I did go on a trip recently where my only choice for being warm at night was to wear my suit jacket with casual clothes and it looked really good…. i think only "accidental" blazers work for me, everything else just feels constricted. i tried the Taikhonu but for $128, I wanted more perfection.

  16. Bronzi
    November 21, 2009 / 12:38 am

    Roxy: I actually received the Either or Jacket today and it is cute. Only lined part of the way and the grey color is very dark. One hook & eye closure and runs small. I got a medium and wouldn't be able to wear anyting but a thin blouse or cami under it. I think it is supposed to fit closer to the body. The length of the arms were good since I have long arms and the sizing the in the chest was good for my 34B's. It is cute. Did I say that already? Not sure I'll keep it since I have added up my Anthro purchases over the past few months and…..well, it is not pretty.

  17. November 21, 2009 / 12:58 am

    Bronzi, thanks much for coming back with the report! I am with you on the keep or return dilemma — why are retailers releasing all this cute stuff now???


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