23 April 2009 – Cropped, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

• Cropped jacket – DKNY 
• Pale pink top – TJMaxx, remixed 
• Tan and white skirt – H&M 
• Red espadrilles – BR Outlet, remixed

The Cropped Jacket, originally uploaded by academichic.

I got this jacket a couple of years ago when the cropped jacket really came into style, and I loved it on other people so I thought I would love it on myself as well. Then I wore it all of two times since purchasing it.

I have a difficult time with this look because I have a short torso and the cropped, boxy look of this trend stunts my upper body even more. But I love how E. wears this item over dresses, with skirts or pants, and instantly gives her outfit a more professional look than a cardigan would produce, but a more casual and relaxed one than the longer blazer creates. The cropped jacket seems to hit that perfect balance of casual and professional and that is why I’m so desperately clinging to this trend although my shape does nothing to invite this look. 

I tried on many many combinations this morning and this why I finally settled on this one: I realized by watching E. and Archibald Maximilion over in w_r that the shrunken blazer is best off-set by a longer tunic, dress, or flowey top underneath. This elongates where the cropped blazer shortens – in my case this makes a huge difference! I also noticed that the moment I put on this pair of heels, I looked longer and taller and the cropped blazer instantly looked better to me. 

I still want to experiment with this item and find ways to make it work for me. I would love to be able to wear it with flats as E. does and not feel squat and boxy, and I also love the way E. wears hers open for that casual chic look. I have buttoned and unbuttoned mine about a zillion times already, unsure whether the unbuttoned works for me or whether it creates unnecessary width for me on top…?

Hear you me, cropped blazer, I will conquer you still if it’s the last thing I do! S. 

23 April 2009 – Cropped and Casual, originally uploaded by academichic.

11 Responses to “23 April 2009 – Cropped”

1. m.
   April 23rd, 2009 @ 8:46 am

   super adorable, but i prefer it buttoned on you.

2. Maeghan
   April 23rd, 2009 @ 10:39 am

   I think this actually makes your legs look super long. I would steal every part of this outfit. :)

3. ShopKim
   April 23rd, 2009 @ 12:00 pm

   You look so tall in this outfit! I think it’s a winner. As for open or closed, I like both but I think open looks better.

4. S
   April 23rd, 2009 @ 12:20 pm

   I know exactly how you feel about cropped blazers, I have pretty much the exact same body type as you and have shied away from them because I think they accentuate my tummy, something I tend to try and hide- but since you look great with it I am inspired to try again!

5. Chiada
   April 23rd, 2009 @ 1:16 pm

   I looooove this look on you! The muted colors look so awesome together. Makes me want to try it. The cropped jacket looks great on you, too! You should wear it more often.

6. LeeHovey (Kendra)
   April 23rd, 2009 @ 1:58 pm

   Love this look! They both look fab, but I think unbottoned looks better because you get a vertical line of color down the center which makes you even longer and leaner visually.

7. meredith
   April 23rd, 2009 @ 3:27 pm

   I really like the open cropped jacket over the drapey top on you. It creates a nice vertical line that camouflages any tummy action goin’ on that you may have. But, I would pair it with some straight or wide leg trousers and heels to continue the length of the line that you created up top and some dangly earrings to continue to draw the eyes upward towards your gorgeous face!
   Overall. . . you need to wear that jacket more often!
   love. . .

8. yolio
   April 23rd, 2009 @ 4:02 pm

   Cropped can create the illusion of a waist line when worn over something longer and contrasting, much like you are doing. I am also an apple, and I have a pretty purple dress that is sort of shapeless, but if I wear it with my cropped peach cardigan then doesn’t look so boxy. It’s a more relaxed alternative to a belt.

9. s.
   April 23rd, 2009 @ 4:45 pm

   Thanks for your comments, everyone!

   I did wear it closed all day but based on your input, I will definitely wear this more often and experiment with wearing it open too.

   @Meaghan – I think the super tall is thanks to these killer wedges! They definitely give my height a boost, I’m not used to wearing this much heel, but loved feeling so tall all day :)

   @ Yolio – I really want to try this look over a dress next!

10. 29 April 2009 - Floral : academichic
    April 29th, 2009 @ 6:34 am

    [...] making it feel more me by wearing it with dark slim fit jeans and a jacket. Yes, it’s the cropped jacket that I also had a hard time with before but its challenges pale in comparison to those presented by this Monet-ish number. But I think I [...]

11. 2 May 2009 : academichic
    May 10th, 2009 @ 5:46 am

    [...] my style has given me the courage to explore trends and looks I might have been afraid of before. I have a better sense of how to make them fit my sense of aesthetic. This applies particularly to my professional and evening attire. [...]

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