Happy Monday, ladies! How was your weekend? We celebrated Chris’s birthday on Sunday by going golfing – well, he golfed. I watched. But I’m pretty sure he had fun, and it was absolutely amazing to have that quality time together. For today’s post, we’re talking about the casual blazer. How and when to wear it, and how to get it right. For the most part, you can use just about any blazer. But there’s a few tips to keep in mind depending on the cut or style you choose! Check out the tips below…

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UMGEE BLAZER (SIMILAR) // MIKAY CHARLES TEE (SIMILAR) // AMERICAN EAGLE JEGGINGS // FOREVER 21 BAG (SIMILAR) {LAST SEEN} // CARLOS SANTANA SHOES (SIMILAR) // ALELI JEWELS NECKLACE ℅ {LAST SEEN}

PICKING THE RIGHT CASUAL BLAZER

The easiest blazers to dress down are waterfall blazers, like the one I’m wearing today. They can be treated essentially as a cardigan with ease. Next, pastels and light colored blazers go from work to casual so long as you’re wearing the right base that dresses down the look.

You’ll experience the most challenge dressing down dark colored or black blazers in the spring. They just want to be dressy. So let them, there’s a nice in-between between casual and cocktail wear and casual and workwear. Kind of business casual. Let those darker colored, fitted blazers elevate your look just a hair for days requiring just a little more oomph. The rest of your look will follow along with the steps I’m outlining today, just maybe skip the graphic graphic tees – if you need to be dressed up, you don’t want your top to be cursing at people.

HOW TO WEAR A CASUAL BLAZER

When working with a blazer, pair your favorite graphic t with more of a plunging or low neckline. A high neckline can look a bit stuffy with a blazer, so you want to play up that high low factor. I chose to pull my hair back to give it a more pulled together feel as well, because this particular combo need a little more balance in the the dressed-up direction.

You’re looking for something that feels and looks like a 50/50 split between dressy and casual, but isn’t necessarily built 50/50 in pieces. Here’s why: a dressy piece is worth like 75% of your outfit. It makes a statement, it forces you to look at it and see it. So when you have a loud or more formal piece like a blazer, you need to dress it down with one or two more casual pieces to get that vibe of an even split.

For jewelry and accessories, opt for things a little more unexpected. Keeping your bag small makes it look less like a work outfit, and a floral pump is way more playful than a nude pump. You could also chose sandals that maybe aren’t perfect for the office, but I would avoid any kind of espadrille or cork shoe as those can be statement in the opposite direction causing a lot of clashing.

For bottoms, opt for jeans or jeggings. Cuffed is butter for blacks and “work” colors, like my black jeggings, because it helps them yell, “I’m not slacks!” and get you the balance you need.

WHEN TO WEAR A CASUAL BLAZER

So when do you wear this look? If your day-to-day style is a little more business casual, you could wear this everyday. If not, I find the best time’s to wear a casual blazer is for community events, brunches, and other more put-together events. If   it’s instagrammable and on the classy/community/adulting end of the spectrum, a casual blazer is so cool. It gives off a #Girlboss vibe, while also saying “I know how to have a good time!”

I also used to love wearing casual blazers with less graphic graphic tees to class and meetings with professors. They’re actually wonderful for casual meetings and lunches because of that dressed up look, but relaxed vibe. When working with someone new, they can help you give off a laid back attitude, assuming that’s what you’re looking for.

To sum it up: wear a casual blazer when you want to look like a classy #Girlboss that people want to hang out with. Ta-da!

How do you feel about casual blazers? Do you love them, or take a hard pass?

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