There is something about leather that ups your game. It makes you feel like you have got this. It is no-nonsense and ready to take charge. So, it is no surprise the leather trend is hanging around to help us through 2020. One of my favorite ways to get in on the trend is with a faux leather blazer.
I picked up The BlankNYC The Nightingale Faux Leather Blazer. The blazer is so good it is difficult to tell whether it is real or faux leather. It retails for just under $100, and this long-line double-breasted styling adds class to any outfit. A quick note on sizing – I usually size up in blazers because I prefer an oversized look, but this blazer is slightly oversized already. I went with my usual size Medium and the fit is just right. Any bigger and when buttoned, it would look sloppy.
The BlankNYC blazer is available in black and a burnt orange color, which is very of-the-moment and would look fabulous with all the fall colors. I opted for the black because I will definitely use it more. Last year, I purchased the Madewell Washed Leather Jacket in the same color – Burnt Cider. Since we aren’t really doing much this year, I’ve tried to keep my recent purchases practical. I focused on items that are classic and will last for years. This blazer is definitely that type of purchase.
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How to Style a Faux Leather Blazer
Day at The Museum: Faux Leather Blazer + Silk Shirt + Jeans + Boots
Not to be confused with a Night at The Museum, which absolutely requires Ben Stiller & a security guard uniform. I love those movies, don’t you? Spending a day at the museum requires style, layers, and comfortable shoes (but sneakers really don’t cut it). The blazer adds style and warmth to this outfit. I have been both freezing and boiling in museums and many times within the same museum. Layers are critical!
A silk shirt is a great layering piece because the natural fibers breathe. Silk can keep you both warm or cool, depending on the need. Plus, a good silk shirt has a luxurious drape. I am wearing a J.Crew Silk shirt that is no longer available, but I am seriously crushing on the same shirt in Jungle Cat Print. How cute is that print? And perfect for the holidays.
My boots are the rag & bone Walker Boot which I love so much. I purchased them in three colors. I wore these black boots all over Boston touring colleges with my daughter, and my feet never felt sore. Pricey but a classic Chelsea boot will never go out of style.
School Holiday Performance: Faux Leather Blazer + Midi Dress + Boots
There is a note of wishful thinking in all of these outings. Will school performances happen this year? Unlikely. My daughter has a part in the upcoming play at her high school, but the whole thing will be done via video performance. If we can all hunker down and wear a mask, maybe by spring, we can finally regroup. Get back to some semblance of normal. I gladly wear my mask for you. Please wear your mask for others. Now off my soapbox and back to fashion.
School performances mean bringing out your best fashion. It has always been a runway at my kids’ performances, back to school nights, and open houses. So if not this year, then next. We will get back there eventually. A classic like this blazer will be ready to pick up right where we left off.
This dress is by Scotch & Soda and currently on sale for $136 on S&S website, but if by chance you are an XS or S, it is on sale at Nordstrom for $75. Geometric patterns are on trend this year, and this one has a great color combination for the holidays. Again I am wearing my rag & bone walker boots, but any black boots would work well with this dress.
Date Night: Faux Leather Blazer + Jeans + Heels
Date nights can still happen. Thankfully. Just accessorize this outfit with your favorite mask, and I prefer to sit outside. I took this picture in the BlankNYC blazer in size large back in the spring. I decided I needed the medium and returned. I then decided to repurchase at the #NSale. I am so happy I did. First, the medium fits me much better, and second, the blazer now has a shinier finish, which actually gives it a more authentic leather look.
My hair is pinkish as I used Overtone temporary hair dye to cover my grays during the lockdown. It is actually a conditioner, so it doesn’t damage your hair at all. There are lots of cool shades, and there is no commitment as it washes out over time. It is fun to mix up my color every once and a while.
Lunch with Friends: Faux Leather Blazer + Graphic Tee + Jeans + Sneakers
My lifeline during this strange experience has been my girlfriends. We covered most of our birthday season in quarantine. Mine is one of the last of the year. It has been great to get together for lunch every couple of weeks to enjoy each other’s company and commiserate about all that is 2020.
My casual lunch uniform is a graphic tee, blazer, and jeans. I love Anine Bing tees for their quality and structure. You can’t go wrong with a crisp white tee. My sneakers are Golden Goose. My advice on purchasing GG is to snatch the pair you love up immediately because they sell out constantly. I am always reluctant to link pairs as they sell out so quickly. I wear a size 39 consistently in Golden Goose. I wear between 8.5 – 9 in most sneakers.
To the Theatre: Faux Leather Blazer + Turtleneck + Silk Joggers + Heels
My daughter and I share a love of theatre. My BFF and I were supposed to see Six & Moulin Rouge in May, and of course, Broadway shut down. I think my DD is secretly happy because she really wanted to see both. She is hoping she gets a ticket next time around. Honestly, I feel so badly for all the Broadway employees and anyone who has lost their job as a result of the pandemic.
Going to the theatre is an experience like no other. I really hope we can back to it soon. I have mentioned before; I wear pants to the theatre kind of girl. You never know if your seats will be in a draft. It also makes it easier for adjusting for others as they enter or exit the row. I am all about practicality.
I seriously love these ATM Cheetah Print Pull-On joggers. I skimmed over them during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. I thought they were cute, but I had other things higher on my list. When they went on sale later, I decided to snatch them up. I am so glad I did. They are so comfortable and seriously stylish. These are not mid-winter pants but great for all other times of the year. Being silk, yadda yadda, they breathe.
I am not sure why these haven’t sold out quicker. They are now 60% off, and I just submitted for a price adjustment.
Around Town: Faux Leather Blazer + Hoodie + Joggers + Sneakers
With all the wishful thinking of the life we can’t live right now, the reality is I am spending most of my time in casual joggers and hoodies. I discovered Vuori Joggers during quarantine due to subtle brainwashing by a million ads on social media. It really did go something like that. I decided to give the joggers a try because why not? What else do I have going on in quarantine? And OMG! They are awesome. You know there are some major misses out there on the internet, but these joggers are DARN GOOD!
No joke. I opened the package of my first pair and immediately went back and ordered two more. They are that good! Now select colors are available in Long, so of course, I had to order those. I am really hoping Vouri makes all the colors in long. We tall girls need comfy joggers for winter too.
I added a cropped sweatshirt from Everlane and topped it with the faux leather blazer. Now I am ready for any errand, even one that takes me to the mall. Some variation of this outfit is how my blazer will get the most action this year. I’m okay with that. My mantra for good times and bad is, “this too shall pass.”
You may ask why in good times? Because it is always true, and it allows one to live in the moment without ego. We are just in a moment: a crazy strange moment, but it won’t last forever.
A leather blazer is the perfect wardrobe item for women who are ready to take on the world. In our current environment, where everything seems out of control, I am surprised I don’t don leather head to toe in an attempt to get control of the uncontrollable. The fact is I may feel like everything is out of control, but I won’t LOOK like I feel. With a faux leather blazer, I look like I got this. And sometimes, all you need is to fake it until you make it.
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