“I’d love your recommendation for a tweed blazer to wear with jeans or work pants,” writes a commenter who goes by AC, and she’s got the right idea: tweed blazers are great for dressing both up and down. I can’t say I found just a ton to choose from, so I’ve included a couple of blazer-adjacent jackets, like this super-sophisticated (and more than a little Chanel-ish) tweed and denim number.
A pretty classic plaid specimen from Alex Mill.
I am loving that this single-breasted option has subtle hints of metallic thread and sequins.
I always like to remind you that Iro’s Shavani jacket exists, and is a stellar choice for those who like blazers but feel that blazers don’t flatter them. It’s a super-easy shape, and I dig the shaggy trim.
The dusty charcoal hue here appeals.
I like this light and lightweight jacket that’ll be great now and amazing come spring.
A chic, double-breasted blazer with bold silver buttons.
The subtle interplay of colors here makes this one standout.
There is something appealingly British schoolboy about this one.
And finally, a well-priced and classic jacket with nice clean lines.
I do like a nice contrast trim! What is the term for that? Is it “tipped?” One of these days I’m just going to attach a bunch of tipping to things…
Love the idea of tweed blazers! Sadly, the largest sizes for all of these will barely fit the average American woman’s body, keeping in mind that the average bust measurement for US women is 41 inches.
L’Agence XL (sold out) = 12/14 (41″ bust)
Alex Mill XL (sold out) = 14/16 (42″ bust)
L’Agence sparkle available up to 18 (no bust measurement available because the size chart ends at 14), but sold out above 10 anyways
IRO 44 = US 12 (40″ bust)
Theory 12 (39″ bust)
Rag & Bone 14 (sold out) (40″ bust)
Maje/Sandro XL = EU 42 = US 10 (38″ bust)
Anine Bing XL (sold out) = 39-40″ bust
Karl Lagerfeld Paris 14 (42″ bust)
I saw some nice blue and white tweed jackets with pearl buttons at Anthropologie which came in larger sizes. They were cute!
I share your frustration. It is a shame and a disgrace that clothing makers treat women so badly, and have done for years. I am done listening to excuses, too – I pretty much don’t believe any of them anymore, and I think it is just bias and conformity, essentially. I don’t believe the “difficulty of fitting” argument because, do any of these blazers even fit that well? As in, somehow better quality than men’s jackets? If so, I am not seeing it. … … … So the question is, what are we going to do about it? One thing we can do is complain to department stores. They have clout. Some of them even have their own lines. I think boycotts are worthwhile too but they are hard to organize, I don’t know who would do that. … … … A little while ago, I was out shopping so I stopped by the J Crew store to check out the sweaters in person. The largest size blazer they carry in the store was either a 14 or 16, iirc. So it’s not enough to just make the clothes, they need to be where people can get them, too. I don’t want to run back and forth to the post office. Men are not treated this way and I don’t see why we should keep putting up with it. … … … Having said that, maybe I will check out these Universal Standard people, and also Anthro. I mean, their stores smell so good anyway.
Oh and also, in case anyone out there is thinking about feeling bad about themselves based on age, or flab … do remember that there are a lot of youngsters in the same boat. (Which is maybe a whole other topic.) … … … The other thing I see is, sooooo so much of the clothing out there is made up of synthetics. Though, I guess sometimes those can be recycled. I am not sure yet what I think of this. So far I’m avoiding. … … … And another thing, just to be clear!, I *do not* expect Kim to magically solve my clothing problems. If it weren’t for this place, I’d never have heard of Universal Standard, or Demestik, or so many others. And I wouldn’t know about drop crotch pants, to be able to smirk at them! (Haaaa … ) So many missed smirking chances. But also now I kinda want some animal prints, where before, I don’t think I did.
This reminds me of my pre Internet struggle to find shoes that fit, as I wear a size 10-11 (depending on the style/brand). So, so often I would be told, it’s out of stock, we only ever get 1 or 2 size 10’s. To which the obvious reply is, if you’re always sold out of larger sizes, why don’t you…order…more?? The shoe situation has improved, but sounds like stocking sizes of clothing most people can fit into has a way to go. As does making larger sizes, as well.
Check saint+sofia (saintandsofia.com) — they have several nice-looking boucle blazers that go up to size 18 (48-inch bust). I’m a big fan of their pants, which are comfy and each style is offered in various lengths.
After Vanessa Friedman recommended the Shavani jacket several months ago I purchased it on Poshmark in red. I love it with jeans or black pants. A keeper!
If the price point of the IRO is worrisome, there are always ones available at The Real Real
Yes I’ve found built quite the Iro collection that way! FYI they’re often listed under both blazers and sweaters.
I always say you can’t go wrong with an IRO. And a side note…I purchased a lady jacket years ago with some hesitation because there was a discrete sprinkling of sequins and I was worried the sequins would look “old.” They don’t and it doesn’t. I wear it often so a blazer with sequins would probably be a fabulous thing to have.
one more…Generation Love makes a nice offering in the $300-ish price range…gorgeous colors and if you wait a couple weeks…nice sales 😉
(size up one if you have pilates shoulders)
The Iro Shavani makes me feel so put together and a bit edgy! Love it!
These request posts have been wonderful! I know it’s over but any chance you’d consider doing a sterling silver jewelry post?