jane's closet part eleven: the black blazer

    When Jane was looking for a new blazer, one of the most important things was that it would be versatile. I paired it with denim, a white tee and a cotton scarf for a relaxed look that is perfect for lunch with friends or any day that just requires a little extra polish. When I am wearing a blazer with a casual, daytime look, I like to scrunch  or cuff the sleeves to add a softer edge. As far as accessories go, a scarf is generally less formal than a necklace and still adds a finishing touch. When trying to dress down a blazer, go with cotton, not a silk (or other shiny) scarf. An untucked layering piece can also help tone down the formality of a blazer, but make sure it doesn't hang too far below- just about an inch is good and you get bonus points if there is an interesting hem detail!

    For an evening look, the other outfit pieces should be dressy on their own and not rely only on the blazer. I tucked a silky, dark grey, cowl neck shell into a burgundy lace pencil skirt and finished with a delicate, silver beaded necklace. There should be no loose layers hanging out from underneath the blazer and the only time the sleeves should be cuffed is to show off a beautiful bracelet.

    A good rule of thumb is to soften your edges wherever possible for a casual look and crisp your edges wherever possible for a dressy look. A blazer will dress up most outfits, but don't rely on it completely to elevate the look- your clothing base should always reflect the look you are going for and the additional layer should be only for polish.