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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Ottawa chapter.

With its ability to be worn all year round and for many occasions, the blazer is a classic and simple basic that every girl should have in her closet. If fitted just right and put together with the perfect accessories, a blazer has the potential to transform any humdrum outfit into a stylish ensemble. However, with the changing weather, multiple colour options, trims, patterns, upcoming events and themed holidays you may find yourself thinking: how do I style the infamous blazer? Well, there is no need for you to worry. I am going to break the blazer conundrum down into four simple occasions.

The Day to Day

As a university student, your average day typically involves the mundane routine of going to class and studying (and the occasional required nap of course). With this tiring regimen, we tend to understandably slack off in the fashion department. To spice up your day and give you that little boost of confidence, slipping on a blazer can do the trick.

Considering the recent change from summer to fall, switching out your bright hues for deep maroons and emerald greens will help you transition into the new season. The basic staple for your fall coloured blazers should consist of a nice pair of black jeans, a plain white shirt and a pair of adorable black boots. I also encourage you to try and make this style your own. Whether it consists of throwing on ripped black jeans, adding a beige infinity scarf to keep you warm, putting on a cute beanie or trying a bold statement watch, wear whatever makes you unique. To add to this, fall is the prefect time to experiment with textures. Through  the use of darker hues and textures (such as velvet and lace), you can make your outfit look more rich and expensive. Finally, the most important part of the day-to-day look is feeling comfortable! Sitting through lectures in a fitted outfit can be uncomfortable, so try on those loosely fitted blazers that give you more room to move and groove. 

Business Chic

Whether you’re on your way to an important interview, a conference, or internship program, you want to know how to look stylish yet professional. The business chic look accomplishes just that if executed correctly. 

For this situation, your blazers should consist of the following neutral tones: white, black, beige and grey. The overall styling of this outfit depends on the level of professionalism that is required. For casual with a bit of a business flare, pairing any of these coloured blazers with a pair of black or blue solid jeans and black flats is a perfect option. Styling them with a neutral pencil skirt to the knees, nylons and heels is suitable for any student intern just beginning their career. And lastly, pairing a white or black blazer colour with a full pantsuit is the epitome of a strong businesswoman. The level of blazer tightness is also important. You do not want a baggy blazer, but you do not want it extremely fitted as you are in a work environment. To fix this, finding a blazer that comes in slightly at the waist gives the outfit just enough shape, but keeps it professional. Furthermore, to give the neutral tones a bit of flare, feel free to try some light patterns (e.g white horizontal stripes on a grey tone). In a situation such as thi,s you want to refrain from testing bold and colour blocked patterns. You want to veer towards patterns that fade in slightly with the blazer’s original colour. You also want to keep the accessories small like a dainty watch or pendant. The business chic can be tricky to balance due to finding the right medium between professional and stylish. Nevertheless, following these few steps can help you achieve just that. 

Girls’ Night Out 

Going out on the town with your girls never fails to be exciting and looking your best is always part of the fun. So, bring on the glitz and glam as this look is your one and only chance to pull out the sequined blazer.

With the chilly weather, it’s hard to find a fashionable jacket, so slipping on a glittery blazer will help you stay cute and cozy for the fall. To add to that, the actual colour of the sequins all depend on your mood. If you’re feeling adventurous, throw on deep purple sequins. If you’re feeling classy,  throw on a black sequined blazer and if you’re feeling ritzy. feel free to rock the gold sequins! The possibilities are endless! The shape of the blazer is also optional-from tight to loose fit, it’s all up to you. Furthermore, feel free to add some bold statement pieces such as big gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings. This is your night to go for it and have fun and wearing your sequin blazer will make you stand out in the best way possible!

Special Events

Finally, bring on the baby showers, bridal showers, family reunions and classy summer parties! Your pretty pastel blazer has prepared you for the day ahead. 

Going to a ‘special event’ can always feel daunting and picking out an outfit is even more frightening. Never being completely sure of what the dress code is can cause anxiety while sifting through your closet and realizing how limited your options may be-we can’t all be Carrie Bradshaw! Halt-your search mission is over! Beautiful pastel shades like baby blue, rose pink and mint green tend to look good on everyone and seem to suit those events whose dress codes you may be dubius about. They never appear too dressy or too casual, but are the perfect middle ground. When accessorizing your pastel blazer, search for silver or pearl accessories and try your best to stay away from gold. Adding these specific accessory types really tend to elevate your outfit and make it pop for that special day.

The blazer can be a lifesaver in any situation if you know how to style it properly and when to use it. So, I am hoping that the next time you’re looking to try on a fresh new outfit, these four guidelines help you decide how to style your blazer with ease.

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