Suited, Booted: what to look for in a blazer

I love wearing a suit. Not everyone will say the same, but back in sixth form when we had to wear suits, I definitely found it a cause of celebration, not commiseration! Fast forward 5 years and now in a London corporate job, a suit is pretty much expected. It puts you in the right mind-set. It looks smart and sophisticated. It's professional. Did I go out and shop for suits before starting? Oh yes - and picked up a few things along the way.

Firstly, a blazer might be in your size, but sometimes it pays to go up a size, or down a size, depending on the look you want. I have a blazer which is slightly over-sized but that's because I liked the way it fell/hung. Liked having it that tad bit longer. On the other hand, you might decide to go for a blazer one size (or a few inches) down, to achieve that 'nipped in', fitted look. Be sure to try on a few.

And be sure to experiment with different fits, as well as sizes. One blazer which has lasted me from sixth form to now has a tapered front but a shorter back. This means wearing it with high-waisted trousers or a high-waisted skirt creates a feminine silhouette from the side. I like that it's a bit different to the fit/style of a normal blazer. Keep your eyes peeled for those slightly unusual styles.

Image: bcbg

And experiment with colours and patterns! Obviously black, navy and grey are perfect fail-safe options and should definitely make up a good percentage of your blazer collectiom. But a check blazer? A pinstripe blazer? A maroon blazer or emerald green blazer? Why not. Just be sure to check with the company policy first - or save it for that weekend dinner party...

Also, don't forget functionality - e.g check for pockets. If you're like me and always have your personal/work phone on you, you'll want to have a pocket in your blazer. The number of blazers that skip pockets altogether (or have 'fake' ones for stylist purposes) is more than you think. It's a practicality worth considering.

Image: mango

As is the lining. Good quality lining will mean the blazer will last longer. It's also an aesthetic consideration too. Sometimes, you might want to roll up the cuffs of your blazer for a stylish 'rough and ready' look. But to do this, the underlining has to look pretty good. Just because it's on the inside of the blazer doesn't mean no one will see it. A solid colour works well, like dark blue or red.

I could go on but I'll stop there for want of blazer frenzy (!). Other factors to consider include buttons (are there spare ones included inside?), lapels (how much of your shirt do you want to show?) and shoulder pads (a little, yes, too much, no.)

Happy Blazer-ing!

First photo courtesy of Telka Zcos & VanityStudios 

My favourites: the trench coat

Trench coats are a quintessential part of Autumn dressing (for both men and women). There is something so classic about the fit and look, something so wonderfully British. Yet there are more styles out there than you might think.
Here are my favourite five right now.

1. The Black One 

Saskia Trench, £199, Hobbs London

2. The Draped One

Patty Drape Flared Trench Coat, £200, French Connection

3. The Classic One 

Artistry Wool Camel Trench Coat, £195, Oliva Bonus

4. The Tartan One 

Angela Mele Milano, £184, Yoox

5. The Pastel One

Wrap trench coat, £80, Yumi 

Going out? Read this first

Going out is one of the pleasures of life. So is getting ready. There's nothing better than glamming up, with your girl-pals, over a glass of wine. Trust me, sometimes I prefer this to the night itself! Okay, not completely, but it certainly does set the mood for the night. 

But it can also be stressful. Outfit malfunctions are the biggest cause of being late. (Source: Friends of Niluka). To take the stress out of getting ready - whatever and wherever you might be going - read on.

Image: 8tracks

1. Plan your outfit the day before - or at least in the morning 

There's nothing worse than trying to haphazardly piece together an outfit when you have sub 1 hour to spare. Rushing is just not ideal in a situation when you want to look your best. Sure, have a couple of options in mind, but don't leave it all to the last minute.

2. Do an underwear check

If your dress/top is low cut and might reveal a flash of underwear - have you decided what bra will go? If you have a halterneck, do you have a strapless bra at hand? Is it better to ditch the bra altogether?! Be sure to consider all options when getting ready.

3. And a weather check, of course 

Image: HackneyGazette

Yes, your outfit is fab. But standing in a queue when temperatures are sub 5C is not. Not matter how good you look, shivering and moaning is not the best #ootd. If you know you might end up outside for a bit, or have to walk, then always take a coat. The cloak room fee is totally worth it.

4. Pack your bag before you start getting ready 

Hands up who has ever forgotten their ID before? Yep, me too. Frantically trying to chuck your card, money, ID, make-up and phone into your bag, just as you are about to leave, is a recipe for disaster. Having learnt from experience, I now get my clutch ready before the evening. No stress added.

5. Consider the accessories 

Image: Pinterest

An outfit can be made by a necklace or pair of earrings. Be sure to factor in an extra 5-10 minutes to experiment with jewellery when you're dressed. Sometimes, nothing may be needed (e.g a fussy dress that can do the talking by itself) but often, a piece of jewellery will bring an outfit together.

6. Consult your trusted forces

Asking someone for their opinion on your outfit is the perfect sense check. If you have your label  sticking out, or your outfit is too under/over dressed for the occasion, your friend will probably tell you. It'll also give you a boost of confidence to go and have a bloody good time. Cheers to that.