I (E.) thrifted this like-new black pinstripe blazer several years ago, shortly after beginning graduate school. I guess I figured that since I was a grown-up I needed a grown-up jacket.
Thrifted Pinstripe Jacket, originally uploaded by academichic.
It’s in great shape, has nifty satin details — covered buttons, piping on the pockets — a subtly patterned lining, and a classic high, two-button stance with a notched lapel.
Jacket Details, originally uploaded by academichic.
Of course, since then, this blazer has had precious little wear, though it’s made predictable appearances at conferences and the occasional in-class presentation. Like I said in our Fashion 101 post on jackets and blazers, this is the kind of blazer that still makes me a little nervous, that I still tend to think about in very limited ways. So, what better way to kick off a week of blazers than challenge myself to re-imagine this jacket in a variety of outfits? Click through the jump to see four incarnations — from professional to casual — of this wardrobe basic.
When I bought this jacket, this is the kind of outfit I had in mind: jacket + basic trousers + pop of color blouse + pumps. It’s a technically fine combination. There’s color and shine by my face, and the overall look is long and lean. Still, I’m not crazy about it. It’s so far removed from my normal style that instead of feeling powerful and confident, I feel a little stuffy. This is precisely the default impulse that has kept me from experimenting more boldly with the jacket.
Pinstripe Jacket, Default, originally uploaded by academichic.
(And now for a brief digression on proportions and fit. Generally speaking, a classic fitting tailored jacket should hit just at or below the hip bone. Thanks to my super long torso, this jacket hits me higher and I wouldn’t have bought it if I was paying full price and purchasing an investment suit. But, as we’ll see in subsequent outfits this slightly shorter length plays an important role in my perpetual quest for readjusting my proportions and creating a longer leg line. You can see the problem when I tuck in the blouse. The jacket flares out too soon and there’s an awkward gap between the widest part of the jacket and the widest part of me at my hips. Keeping the blouse untucked, as I did above, smooths that discrepancy away. But still, let it be known that this is not the ideal, all-purpose fit for a jacket in terms of length.)
A Discursus on Proportion, originally uploaded by academichic.
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Pinstripe Jacket, Take Two, originally uploaded by academichic.
Back to the matter at hand. I wanted to try another, less conservative but still professional, take on the jacket and thought that this jacquard pencil skirt — with its subtle shine and black-on-black swirling pattern — would make a nice pairing. The resulting pattern mixing added visual interest up close, but the outfit still needed a little more kick to make it feel more modern. I loved the results after adding a gray double buckle belt and layered strands of translucent gray beads. It has a retro feel without being costumey, a striking silhouette from far away and interesting pattern and texture up close.
Pinstripe Jacket, Take Two, originally uploaded by academichic.
Pinstripe Jacket, Take Two, originally uploaded by academichic.
Pinstripe Jacket, Take Three, originally uploaded by academichic.
Take three is a study of contrasts: a floaty, floral dress paired with the structured, pinstriped blazer and a belt to tie it all together. I love how the high neck of the dress peaks out, softening the collar of the jacket. Pattern mixing is proving relatively easy with this blazer, with the subtle pinstripe playing against the bold asymmetrical floral. Again, the belt and the slightly higher waist of the dress’s skirt, coupled with the shorter length of the jacket enables me to fake a shorter torso. Go me.
Pinstripe Jacket, Take Three, originally uploaded by academichic.
Pinstripe Jacket, Take Four, originally uploaded by academichic.
Finally, I wanted to try using this admittedly formal blazer in a casual outfit. I used the tried and true “structure over poofy” approach, layering the open jacket over a trapeze-shaped white cotton and eyelet top. The blazer gives me waist definition that would otherwise be hidden by the wider top, and the top’s lace and ruffle trim, in turn, softens the harder lines of the jacket. With straight leg jeans and a classic pump, the blazer is perfectly appropriate for a day of errands or time in the library. Effortless chic. I mean, I hope so. Does that mean it’s not effortless?
Pinstripe Jacket, Take Four, originally uploaded by academichic.
This mini-challenge was just what I needed to make better use of a usually-hidden wardrobe gem. I’d bet on seeing variations and improvements on these quickly-conceived outfits in the near future.
Great post! I love the outfits you put together!
Love how you’ve played with this jacket! I have several of them in my closet and keep trying them on and then not wearing them! I also love those jeans! I’m insanely long in the torso, too, and finding lean jeans that don’t make me look like a stick person is so hard! Where do you find yours?
The last two are my favorites!
I just found your (plural) site and love it!
I have a jacket and long torso just like yours so appreciate the advice.
How about using those beads or another necklace to finish off the last cute outfit?
I love the last two looks! Now I want to go get a blazer and try it out!
Great Post, most of my blazers are on the short side as well, I’ll definitely try out some of your styling examples!
Yay! This post is right on target with some of the thoughts I’ve been having about shorter length toppers (ubiquitous at F21) and how to wear them without making my long waist seem even longer! The skirt or dress is the magic answer! Also, worn open with a shirt un-tucked works pretty well. Good stuff Ms. Lady!
I dig these variations. I think the blazer’s folded-up sleeve version would also look killer with either some bermuda-length shorts or capri-length pants, all straight-legged of course. Or go in the opposite direction with print and pair it with a big, splashy, artsy print dress. Lots of fun to be had!
My favorite is the blazer paired with the dress. Thanks for showing us these examples!
I feel your pain on the long torso issue, and that’s definitely a tougher jacket to make work with your proportions. For that reason, my fav is #2 (blazer + skirt).
I love your look, in general, though I really like the look with the double belt and pencil skirt best. Looking forward to seeing jacket/blazer looks for those of us in the short waisted round tummy category!
This is great, as I struggle with jackets and an epically long torso. Thank you! (That dress is BEAUTIFUL.)
I love these looks and how you played with this jacket. I tend to not wear my suit jacket around because I don’t want to get beagle hair all over it, but maybe I should thrift another one….
Great post!! Love the looks!!
I love the skirt and the jeans looks!
Great post – I like the illustration of how a short jacket can actually be really great (and not hidden in the closet) with something other than plain pants + button-up blouse.
I love these looks! I just have one question . . . how do you manage to look so pulled together while having an infant at home? I have a 3 month old and some days I don’t even get to shower!
The outfits with the pencil skirt and flowered dress are so chic!
Instead of folding your sleeves, how about scrunching them up? I do think that scrunched up sleeves on a blazer can be pretty cool, but sometimes I’m a bit conflicted about adding such a casual element to a very formal garment.
[...] E. has already shown how versatile the pinstripe blazer can be and how it can be worn in ways that don’t necessarily smack of stuffy professional engagements or work related formal events. I have also worn my pinstripe blazer in more casual ways than not. . . [...]
[...] this vintage Hawaiian print dress I snagged a couple of weeks ago (though you may remember it from my experiments with my pinstripe jacket. But rather than trying to “professionalize” this dress, today I’m just letting [...]
I’m so glad I saw how you wore it with the jeans. I was so worried that my blazer was unwearable as a casual outfit. Thank you!
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