Blazers have become a wardrobe staple for many women across the globe and especially for working class women. They are very easy to add on top of shirts, dresses and tops to instantly make an outfit appear dressier and more formal.
I personally love to wear a blazer on top of my tank tops or v-neck shirts to create a business casual look. A structured blazer combined with a pair of pants is an easy way to create a professional look instead of a stuffy trouser suit.
In today’s blog post, I would be showing me some of my favorite ways to style a blazer with a dress. These are looks you would be able to pull off throughout the year and regardless of your body type.
You would also be able to apply the same tips to pair your blazer with other items such as a mini skirt or even midi skirts. If you are looking for some blazer and dress outfit inspiration, you want to keep reading.
I am a firm believer in investing in a few blazers in different colors as well as different lengths. This would help you to easily put together chic looks in a second. That is why I would like to start thigs off by sharing some of my favorite places to shop for blazers. These would really come in handy if you are looking for a new favorite blazer or looking to expand your blazer collection.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, at no cost to you.
Where can I shop for good blazers?
i) Nordstrom
Nordstrom is the first place you want to check when searching for a new blazer. They offer different styles and colors of blazers as well as a wide variety of lengths. This black double-breasted blazer is one of my favorites. I love the classic cut, structured fit and the gold button details. You could pair it with dress pants or a pencil skirt for a great work outfit.
ii) Banana Republic
If you have a larger budget, I encourage you to check out the selection of blazers available at Banana Republic. The brand’s aesthetic is already more career-woman chic and so their blazers fit right into that category. I own a different version of this brown Captain’s Blazer which is a longer blazer featuring gold buttons. The tailored fit would instantly elevate your overall look whether it is paired with skinny jeans or a shirt skirt.
iii) Pretty Little Thing
When it comes to my best blazer dresses, all of them have come from PLT. I love the feminine cut of their blazer dresses which feature a nipped-in waist. They are long enough to be worn as a mini dress or could be paired with black leggings for a more conservative look. They also come in a variety of colors so you’re bound to find one to go with your personal style.
The one I’m wearing appears to be sold out but check out this option HERE
There is also this oversized blazer which would be a great option to pair with boyfriend jeans, shorts or denim skirts.
iv) ASOS
If you’re looking to add some color to your blazer outfit, try opting for one in a bold color or fun print. This color block blazer could serve as your statement piece to really give your outfit a more stylish look. You could pair it with a pleated skirt, a pencil dress or even a pair of jeans and a white shirt for an elevated casual look.
Another great blazer would be this brocade blazer with its interesting texture and print.
Now that you know my favorite sites to find the best blazers, let me share different ways to style them for different occasions. Regardless of the type of dress you own, you’re bound to find a look that works for you.
How to style a blazer with a dress
1) With a pencil dress
Pencil dresses are viewed as more formal so it is only normal that they be paired with a blazer. You could opt for a classic black blazer or an easy way to make your outfit more fun and flirty would be to pair it with a peplum blazer. My current favorites are peplum blazers in bold Afrocentric print such as this one.
You could add a skinny belt on top of your blazer to accentuate your curves and define your waist more.
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2) With a little black dress
An easy way to style your LBD for a cocktail event or even a holiday office party is to add a blazer. A white blazer could be worn to create a contrasting color-blocking effect or you could go for an all-black look by opting for a black blazer. Don’t forget the high heels and to accessorize with some gold jewelry!
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Get a similar blazer on sale HERE
3) With a maxi dress
Whether you are dressing for a work event or for drinks with your friends, a blazer paired with a maxi dress is a good idea. To avoid looking frumpy or less put together, make sure your blazer is well-tailored and structured.
I even prefer to go with a blazer with shoulder pads when styling a blazer with a maxi dress. You may also want to add a belt to polish off your dress and blazer look. If dressing for the cold weather, add a pair of ankle boots to your look.
Get the look HERE
4) With a mini dress
A great way to make a mini dress less casual is to pair it with a casual blazer. This could be a boyfriend blazer or an oversized one. You could also opt for a blazer in a classic cut. To keep your outfit more casual, roll up the sleeves of your blazer. During the warmer months, throw on a pair of white sneakers to complete your casual outfit. You could also add a pair of tights if it’s colder outside.
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5) With a brightly-colored dress
Pair your summer dresses in bright colors and/or bold prints with a blazer in a neutral color to create fun looks during the warmer months. If you’re not one to shy away from a bold look, why not compliment the color of the blazer with the color of your dress for a bold color-blocking moment. If you’re not fond of very bright colors, you could still compliment the neutral colors of your dress with a blazer in a neutral solid color.
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6) With a sheath dress
One of the best ways to style your sheath dresses for a work event is to pair them with a short or long jacket. Sheath dresses are already seen as work-appropriate dresses and so adding a blazer would be a good way to style it for an important meeting. During the winter months, you could opt for a tweed blazer and choose knee boots as footwear. This is a classic look that could take you from work hours to after hours.
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7) With a midi dress
Pair your midi dresses with your favorite blazer to create chic business casual looks you can take into the Fall. Play around with floral prints and interesting patterns to create a more stylish outfit.
You could wear a pair of leggings or tights underneath for an extra layer of warmth. Ankle boots or knee-high boots are a welcome choice of footwear during the colder months. If it’s nice outside, try going for a pair of ballet flats or flat sandals.
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I hope this post has served as a source of outfit inspiration for your next blazer + dress combo. Remember that you can always add a belt on top of your blazer to give your outfit more of a shape and to accentuate your curves. You can add more layers during the cold weather to keep warm. You can also opt for blazers made with thicker fabrics such as tweed when it’s cold outside.
I invite you to check out my post: 6 ways to wear a cardigan over a dress for some more outfit layering inspiration.
Headed to court? Check out my post 7 outfits to wear to court for some outfit inspiration.
If you are getting ready for graduation season, check out my post on 8 Outfits to Wear Under Your Graduation Robe.
Until the next post,
XOXO
Theankaraqueen