Finding the Best Blazer for your Body Type

Last week I posted a guide on how to pick your first suit. Over the weekend I was inundated with emails about the post. (yay for readers finding it helpful!) The one thing so women wanted more information on is blazer styles. Blazers can be a real challenge. They are wardrobe essential for any professional woman but, this wear-to-work item can often leave women feeling shapeless and un-stylish. The good news is this does not need to be the case! Gone are the days of blazers being ill-fitted for women; there are actually a number of companies making great blazers that actually look good on women (woohoo!)

The trick, my wonderful readers, is to find a blazer cut that suits your body type so that you don't end up drowning in shapeless fabric looking like the girl at prom who threw on her date's jacket. (Side note: weird reference?? I have no idea why that's the first thing to come to my mind, but were gonna roll with it okay? okay.)

I struggle with the idea of classifying women's bodies into "types", but I also think it is a helpful way to help you look your best, so I have done my best to come up with terms/categories that hopefully you can relate to and can easily find yourself a styling, well-fitted, suited-to-the-professional-rockstar-that-you-are, blazer. Here goes:

If you are busty:

First off if you are busty; sister I feel. your. pain! Button-down shirts and qork wear in general was not made for us and the difficulty in dressing a larger chest is a massive pain. The struggle is real. That is a rant for an entirely separate post though. For now, let's just talk what you can do to find a blazer that works with your chest.

A single button blazer is the most flattering cut for a bigger chest. Be sure though that the blazer is NOT TOO SMALL. A tight blazer with only button actually has the complete opposite effect on a busty frame- making you look as though you are going to burst-out at any time. If you are between sizes in a one-button blazer, always size up and get the waist/arms tailored.

Also look for blazers with a slim lapel - width can again work against you. Avoid chest pockets or embellishments on the upper part of your blazer. Shop the widget below for some great blazers for busty women.

If you are small chested:

If you are smaller chested you can easily wear blazers with more 'happening'. Three button blazers will be the most flattering on your shape. Look for wider lapels - especially ones with detailing (I love a leather trim or other change in fabric on a lapel). You can also create the same illusion with color but choosing a blazer with a different colored lapel. Embellishments such as pockets also work well for this shape. The widget below has my top picks for blazers for smaller chests.

If you are apple shaped:

A well-fitted blazer is the key if you have an apple shaped figure- meaning you don't have a defined waist. The best blazer for this body type is one that sits at the hips - too short a blazer will "cut you in half" in terms of the look. The longer line created by a blazer that sits longer will be the most flattering.

As well, look for blazers that are made of lightweight materials. Thicker materials will both add width to your frame and also will not move as easily -and a flowy movement will allow the best parts of your shape to shine through. Below are great blazers for apple shaped women.

If you are pear-shaped/hippy:

I am quite hippy and for some reason for years though the best bet was to find a blazer that hit at my hips. Not the case! If you have wider hips you want a blazer that hits just above your hips (show off those curvy hips!) or one that hits just below them- covering them. Anything in the middle will draw attention directly to your hips and make you appear larger than you are.

You also want to avoid embellishments or detailing at hip height. Do not go for blazers with dramatic pockets at the hips! Wider lapels and embelishments on the top, by contrast, look great if you are hippy. Below are my favorite hip-approved blazers. 

If you are a straight build (not curvy): 

If you have a straight build you have a ton of options for blazers! You can play up your straight figure if you wish with a three buttoned fitted blazer. You can also play up the illusion of an hour glass figure by going for peplum waists, or anything with a belt that nips in at the waist. A wider lapel, combined with a nipped in waist, will add to the hourglass illusion.

Below are some blazers I love that would work so well on straight build:

 If you have a straight build you have a ton of options for blazers! You can play up your straight figure if you wish with a three buttoned fitted blazer. You can also play up the illusion of an hour glass figure by going for peplum waists, or anything with a belt that nips in at the waist. A wider lapel, combined with a nipped in waist, will add to the hourglass illusion.

Below are some blazers I love that would work so well on straight build:

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