The blazer : a unisex and timeless jacket
The blazer is an essential piece that is often associated with the professional environment or the suits worn by men. However, this garment full of history is a unisex piece par excellence, which can also be worn every day with jeans and sneakers !
History of the blazer
The history of the blazer dates back to the 19th century. Two accounts exist as to the origin of this coin. The first refers to the sports jackets worn by members of the rowing team at St John’s College, Cambridge in the 1820s. These old outfits were made from a bright red-coloured textile, hence the name blazer, taken from the English “blaze” which signifies “flamboiement” or “élcat”.
The second account, meanwhile, associates the origin of the blazer with the year 1937, when the Captain of the ship HMS Blazer received Queen Victoria. For the occasion, he dressed his crew in navy double-breasted jackets with brass Royal Navy buttons. The Queen, delighted by these outfits, then decreed afterwards that they would be the official outfits of the English navy.
Today, blazers are only worn by the English navy or men. This garment has become a classic for both men and women, in all circumstances.
The blazer : a unisex piece
In the 1870s, actress Sarah Bernhardt was one of the first to create controversy by wearing a trouser suit for a portrait painting. It was during this period that the “masculine” look was then normalized by women. Many of them are starting to wear long skirts paired with fitted jackets.
Coco Chanel caused a sensation with the appearance of her iconic jacket in the 1920s. The French designer Gabrielle Chanel wanted to free women from the restrictive clothing standards of the time thanks to her creation. She seeks to dress them “in costumes that put them at ease but which always underline their femininity”. An idea that seems simple today, and yet 100 years ago was the start of a fashion revolution.
It wasn’t until the 1980s that today’s blazer became a hit piece among women. This craze followed the popularization of the pantsuit by films like Working Girl and Baby Boomer. Prior to this, women generally reserved trousers for casual and private occasions. The blazers are then imagined in different colors, silhouettes and prints.
Today, the blazer has become an accessory piece for women that can be associated with any outfit without necessarily choosing a matching bottom.
How to wear a blazer ?
A blazer for every style
There are many ways to wear a blazer for a woman. It’s not because the blazer is generally associated with the professional environment that it is not possible to wear it to go out ! You can easily create a casual style with a blazer outside of working hours. Combine it for example with faded jeans, shorts or a tight silk dress. You can also modernize your outfit with sneakers. We also invite you to discover the unisex sneakers from UMOJÀ, whose models are colorful and feature original prints. What better way to spice up your outfit?
Business professionals should probably stick to a matching skirt or slacks. If your business is more casual, pair your blazer with a button-down blouse and dark jeans, or a midi skirt and T-shirt.
Choose the right blazer
To wear a blazer well, the cut is essential. For a classic blazer, the hem should be at your hip height and the sleeves should reach the first knuckle of your thumb. But above all, a blazer should fit snugly around the shoulders – that’s the key to looking smart.
Oversized blazers are a bit trickier, but there’s a simple formula to choosing them right. There are three main elements to a fit : the shoulders, the sleeve length and the jacket length. In order to wear the oversized blazer in a stylish way, choose only two out of three oversized items. So, for example, if the shoulders are elongated and the sleeves are long, balance that with a hip-length blazer.
As for the material, it depends on the season and the occasion. Most blazers are made from wool, flannel, or cotton. For more casual summer days, silk or linen blazers are perfect. If you’re looking for a trendy option for fall, opt for a boiled wool model !
Thanks to today’s talented designers, it’s pretty easy to find the blazer that suits your style. Within Label AÉ, we invite you to discover the 100% cotton Kimono blazer by designer Anissa Aïda. It is flexible and comfortable and can be worn during the day with jeans or in the evening combined with the “Summer day in Tunis” jumpsuit.
Yasmine Besbes
