Item of the week: the structured blazer

What it is:

While blazers have always been a staple item of formalwear, and recently
also casual wardrobes, AW23 saw the style take on new heights, in the form
of highly structural outerwear pieces. The blazer typically refers to a
jacket, occasionally worn with matching pants, that resembles a suit yet
comes cut in a more casual fashion. Designers used the silhouette to
experiment on for their collections, offering up unique shapes and elevated
detailing that brought new life to the classic garment. This was largely in
the form of adjustable belts that formed hourglass figures or prominent
shoulders, reminiscent of the power suit.

Why you’ll want it:

Blazers are a standard part of the everyday and formalwear wardrobes, and
will continue to be throughout every season. This makes them an ideal
option to regularly return to for collections, as they remain relevant year
round. However, these new iterations bring a much needed update to the
style, offering up a fresh take on the office attire for consumers that
want to refine their formal looks or simply elevate their casual
collection. It comes as office workers return in full force to the
workplace, with these structural blazers giving them something of a
rejuvenating alternative to their typical standard suit.

Where we’ve seen it:

Blazers were all over AW23 runways, some in the standard silhouette that is
typically utilised for the jacket style, while others spruced up the look
with updated details. Versace, for example, opted for rounded sleeves that
defined its Barbie-pink two-piece look, meanwhile Dries van Noten elongated
the body of its blazers, having them sit just above the knee in a new take
on oversized cuts. Many other designers, on the other hand, put their focus
on the shoulders, namely that of Saint Laurent, Vivienne Westwood and Thom
Browne, each of which exhibited an array of sky-high shaping that brought
new meaning to power suits.

How to style it:

For casual wear, the structural blazer works well with high waisted, wide
leg jeans or loose-fit pants and a simple t-shirt, making it something that
can be worn even to the supermarket. Add a pair of sneakers to further the
comfort, or elevate the outfit with heeled boots and some simple
accessories to take it into the evening. For fashion-forward formalwear,
pair the blazer with matching bottoms or a skirt/pants of a similar colour.
Layer it over an oversized or fitted plain shirt and add some kitten heels
or loafers to finish the look off.

The structured blazer is an item that offers an update to a staple jacket
style that returns season after season and has become an integral part of
the daily wardrobe. For AW23, designers experimented with silhouettes and
shapes, bringing a rejuvenated look to the runway that has been translated
into high street and premium collections.