Today, I’m teaming up with Jodie to bring you two different ways to wear a blazer. Jodie mentioned this blazer in one of her emails, and I scooped it up as quickly as I could. It’s velvet; it’s bottle green; and, it came in a petite! Make sure you visit Jodie to see how she styled this gorgeous velvet blazer. I’m sure it will be something we don’t expect though she will be focusing on pants and jeans. You get…dresses from me! Surprise, surprise!
Round one…
I honestly hadn’t intended to style this blazer with three dresses. I started off with the cobalt blue dress shown below. I was trying to do one of those high end/low end looks. These three photos were the only ones that I even remotely liked. I think the dress is really just too summery for the heaviness of the velvet (you can see the same dress in berry here). In these photos, the two colors look gorgeous together. Trust me, none of the others looked this good. But, I tried!
Round two…
I then decided a kind of transitional type dress might work since the summer dress was a complete failure. I also thought black might be just right…playing up the dark moody vibes of the bottle green velvet blazer. We took a number of photos, and I disliked all that I looked at. I was beginning to think this blazer really wasn’t for me at all.
Round three…
This time, I went in a completely different direction. I decided the black had been too dark so let’s go with white. I pulled out this black/white striped (or is it navy/white) tee shirt dress from Old Navy. We snapped a few photos, but I really wasn’t feeling it. I will admit I was really feeling defeated. And, my hair was rapidly deflating!
The winner…
The winner was the LBD. I just hadn’t looked at enough photos. I really do like the way the black plays against the bottle green velvet. I also liked the way my necklace popped against the black. This dress is an oldy but a goody from Old Navy. They sold a version of this dress every year in every season for several years. And, they would often run them as a deal of the day so I picked up quite a few over the years. For some goofy reason, they decided not to sell them anymore. It’s an easy jersey a-line dress you just throw on and go. Sheila calls these Jammy dresses because they don’t need anything extra.
The blazer…
All that, and I haven’t even spoken about the blazer! When Jodie wrote about this in her email, I clicked on that so fast! Velvet is my catnip…well, velvet and a few dozen other things! At the time I ordered mine, they were still offered in petites. None of the stores close to me offer petites unless it happens to be a return. Your Old Navy stores may be different. I was really expecting velveteen if I’m being totally honest. And, if it was velvet, I was expecting the nap to be the wrong way. You know, when you run your hand down the velvet, it should feel smooth. If it’s cut the other way, the nap, or pile, is rougher to the hand and doesn’t look as good. But, this velvet, oh, this velvet is everything as the kids say (or do they)!
A little more…
The blazer is a luscious bottle green which is the perfect name for it. The seams are well finished, and it’s lined. It has pockets with flaps. Some times, I tuck those flaps in so I can access the pockets easily. It looks good either way. It does have shoulder pads but not the shoulder pads of the 90s. These just give structure to the blazer. There are a couple of things I’d change if I could. I know a tailor probably could, but I’m not doing that! I wish the buttons on the cuffs were functional. I would be unbuttoning them and rolling the cuffs. I could still do that, but it’s a little more bulky. I also think some seaming in the back giving it a little more fitted look would be nice. And, of course, it could be a skosh shorter, but I’m only 5’1″ so it is going to be a little long. I also think it’s meant to be a tad oversized. All in all, for $35, this was a bargain!
Lighting…
I’m going to show several photos of the same outfits in different lighting. As you’ll be able to tell (if you didn’t already know), lighting plays a huge part in how an outfit shows up in photos. It also can make you look like you tried out for “The Walking Dead” and failed! We had that huge front porch at our last house where I didn’t have to worry so much about lighting. Here, we have a small cave-like front porch. And, I had wasted so much time the day of the photoshoot, that it was too late to go to the park. A new park is opening very close to us, but it has very few trees to provide shade. Of course, the trees at the other park have lost most, if not all, of their leaves at this point. I scope out the calendar for cloudy days for most of our photoshoots.
The Lewk!
These booties are a strange shade of green, not even remotely close to the bottle green of my blazer. But, I’m calling this a bookended look anyway! They are by Sofft and from the NSale years ago. I also like how the cutouts mimic the geometric strands of my necklace. This is the Sutton necklace from Stella & Dot. It was a huge seller for them. In fact, I think they even came out with it in different colorways. Most of the strands can be separated to be worn alone or with fewer strands. I always have to tinker with the “diamond” one because it likes to turn in on itself. The earrings are also from Stella & Dot, I think.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
So, now, you see why I don’t wear blazers. They wear me rather than the other way around! They’re just a bit too big in the shoulders and a little too small in the waist. Sure, I could take it to a tailor, but it didn’t cost that much. What I can do is roll or scrunch up the sleeves and just play around with it more. While I really like this blazer, I don’t like it with dresses. I doubt I will ever wear it with a dress or a skirt because it just overpowers them. I know I will love it with graphic tees and jeans as well as some of my knit pants. So, can we talk? Which look do you think is the winner? Are you successful at winterizing truly summer dresses? How do you wear blazers? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. And, remember, check out Jodie’s site for more ways to wear a velvet blazer!
Thank you!
Thank you so very much for reading today’s post. I hope you enjoyed it. I also very much appreciate those of you who comment, email and/or subscribe. It’s what keeps me going! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Affiliate links and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. I am an April Cornell Brand Ambassador for another season. You can use my code, MARSHA15, for $15 off any order over $100. Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. For the Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer, use Marsha12 to get 12% off your order at this link: https://www.zuvilife.com/products/buy-zuvi-halo-hair-dryer?sca_ref=4039595.v4RNNsWxxF. If items are on sale, you can use Marsha5 for an extra 5% off sale prices. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Special deals…
I wanted to let you know about Halftee’s Black Friday Sale. If you use my code, MARSHA2098, you can get 30% off the entire site! I recently bought a lace Halftee and can’t wait to style it. Not sure what a Halftee is? Basically, it’s the top part of a tee with an elastic band that fits right under your bust. It lessens the bulk under your clothes, adds modesty, and can also add a different texture. That elastic band is what keeps your Halftee from riding up. Halftee doesn’t carry only Halftees. There is jewelry as well as other clothing. Also, Zuvi has started their Black Friday sale, too. The dryer is 25% off plus you can use my code, Marsha5 for an extra 5% off. Just click through the link above!
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, and Style Splash. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda and Lisa. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
That’s a very pretty sweater! I don’t have anything velvet, should give it a try! As much as I love blue and green together, I agree with you that the blazer looks best on the black dress!
Thanks, Nancy! You need velvet in your life, for sure! I think the black is best, too!
I adore this pretty blazer! It’s perfect for the season and I also love it with the black the best. Such a chic look Marsha!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine. I will have to experiment with it a lot.
I just love the color of your blazer and the soft velvet texture! My favorite outfit is the black dress as well!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I think the black dress has won the day!
That green velvet blazer is dreamy – love the color! I think you nailed it with that black dress. I think it would look wonderful on you with black leggings and boots too! Such a fun piece Marsha!
Gosh, lighting. Yes. It’s been so rainy here this week that it’s been hard to get decent photos. I never knew just how much I would appreciate sunny days!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! Black leggings and boots would be my go-to, but I told Jodie I’d wear dresses. I am going to keep experimenting with it to see what works best!
I was just telling Jodie blazers are something I like on everyone else but me. I just don’t like the way they look on me. There’s something about my body type where adding a blazer just looks too masculine. Anyway, I think the blazer over the black dress is the best look.
Thanks, Amy! I think, for me, it’s the padded shoulders that make me feel like a linebacker! It’s good to know I’m not the only one who struggles with blazers.
I’m glad you went with the black tunic as your top choice. My favorite look as well!
Thanks, Anne! I think it worked best that way, too!
I sympathise with your battles to make the blazer work – there’s nothing worse than falling for a garment that doesn’t want to play nice!
My solution for jackets is to replace my go to jacket with the newbie and wear it with everything for a few days. Granted,there will be some fashion disasters but at the end,your new jacket will be ‘ yours ‘ and you’ll have some ideas😊
I know you weren’t keen on the stripe,but I think it looked good; maybe a bolder stripe??
Thanks, Tresi! That’s a very good idea to wear it with so many different things and feel more comfortable in it. Oh, a bolder stripe would work better, wouldn’t it. Thanks so much for the suggestions!
I love that you styled the blazer with three different dresses before choosing the black dress. It is often how I dress in the morning! My hubby just shakes his head everything he sees me in different pieces!
My husband rarely comes in while I’m getting ready because he knows it takes so long! Every once in a while, I’ll change again, and he won’t even notice.!
Thanks, Eileen!
I like it worn in the simplest way, with the black dress. (Why would Old Navy give up on that classic knit A-line dress?) The color is gorgeous and rich so it works well with the black. I do think you’ll like the oversize fit better with jeans and a graphic T. I hope you show us how that works out! If I had this blazer, I would definitely be reaching for my black skinny pants and my cream blouse with the dark green jackrabbit print!
Thanks, Sally! I was so surprised when they stopped making this dress. They had them with sleeves, without sleeves and in so many colors and prints. You will definitely be seeing the blazer again. It really is a nice blazer.
That is an awesome blazer and I love it paired with the LBD!
Thanks, Joanne! I was amazed at how good it was. Old Navy is really upping their game.
I do think you see yourself totally different Marsha. First off, I like the dichotomy of the blue dress material and the velvet. It’s like a yin/yang thing.
Of course I love the black dress too, but I also really liked the striped dress with the blazer.
You say it overpowers you, but I don’t see a difference between the blazer and the kimonos you wear.
One thing I forgot to try with my blazer was to belt over it. I always like that look and this blazer might be perfect for that trick.
Thanks for playing along. I can’t wait to wear mine during the holidays with dresses.
XOOX
Thank you, Jodie! We are always our own worst critics, aren’t we? I may try the blue dress again. Maybe, it was just my mood or where we were taking the photos. Gosh, I never thought about the kimonos/blazer situation. But, the blazer has so much more heft to it so maybe that’s what I mean. I’m so glad you suggested doing this post! I had a lot of fun!
I absolutely love a good blazer that can transition from day to night and go for all seasons. This is a great example of that transition.
https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2023/11/why-real-real-is-number-one-place-to.html
Thanks, Heather! Oh, I hadn’t thought about a nighttime look…a sequined top and black trousers? Thanks for the fabulous idea!
Such a nice blazer. Love the material and green is your color ♡
Such a nice blazer. Love the material and green is your color ♡
http://www.christinacenci.com
Thanks so much, Christina! It is a beautiful color!
Green is my catnip!! You make me laugh. Love the way both of you styled this blazer. And although I shouldn’t buy a single thing more, I am truly tempted to treat myself to this blazer. I’ve been a pretty good girl this year. I deserve it, right? Have a tab open to check it out and get it moved into my cart!!
You look amazing in these pictures. If you ever thought you might have lost some sparkle, you’ve definitely found it again. Your hair is just beautiful. And I love all the ways you paired this blazer to create different outfits. The black dress look is perfect for parties. But how cute the blazer looks with the striped dress. And those green booties. OH MY GRAVY. They are an unusual color of green…kind of sage. But not. Whatever the color, they are sensational. Enjoyed seeing you in the backyard with your still green grass. I guess it hasn’t been really cold there yet, either. Enjoy your Thanksgiving, beautiful YOU!!
Oh, Leslie…you are so good for my ego! I was really struggling with my hair that day…too much product…just like in art…you cross that fine line between just enough and too much!
You have definitely been a good girl and should press buy on this blazer. It really is just that good. I think it will be in my closet for many, many years!
Yes, our yard is still green…such weird weather this year. It was green for most of the summer which is unusual for Central Indiana. Then, it got scorched. We are still seeing warmish days and chilly nights. I don’t think we’ve had a white Christmas in years. I’d really like one this year.
Have a fabulous Thanksgiving, my gorgeous, wonderful friend!