Today I am joining my pals Sarah from Sarah London Style and Kim from Nor Cal Style. I am sure you have heard all the buzz about slow fashion, and you are probably wondering just what is it? We Americans for quite some time have been hooked on throw away anything and everything. We buy inexpensive furniture that isn’t made well, keep it for a few years, and the next thing you know it ends up in the landfill. We buy new inexpensive furniture and the cycle starts over again. Many of us do the same with our wardrobes. Some are rethinking this cycle and have begun to think about “slow fashion”. Slow fashion is quite simply the opposite of fast fashion. Slow fashion considers the processes and resources required to make clothing. It advocates for buying better-quality garments that will last longer and fair treatment for everyone along the chain of supply. Let’s take a look at How to Wear One Blazer Eight Ways.
What is more practical than a simple black blazer that can be worn multiple ways. I love this blazer (no longer available from Peruvian Connection) because it is fitted and longer. It creates the illusion of length (ie making my curvy body look longer and leaner! At the bottom of the post I have linked several blazers that could perform just as well as this one.
Here I am wearing it with the Ganni Turtleneck (a great layering piece) you have seen many times, faux leather pants, velvet birdies and some of my Native American Jewelry pieces I have had for years, and leopard mules.
SHOP THE LOOK
I styled the blazer here with a beautiful scarf from IBU Movement, sweater pants, a turtleneck and combat boots (that you can’t see). I like layering different elements for interest.
SHOP THE LOOK
For a casual look I am styling it with a gingham shirt, jeans, and those comfy birdies.
SHOP THE LOOK
I added this old Madewell block print shirt, skinny pants, and a necklace that was a gift from my husband several years ago. Not this necklace has a clasp so you can wear it long or short. I wear it all the time for that reason.
SHOP THE LOOK
Here I am wearing the blazer with a black turtleneck, an embroidered scarf, faux suede leggings, Bedstu boots and a hat.
SHOP THE LOOK
I have had these khaki pants for probably seven or eight years. I am wearing the same Bedstu boots, a sundance shirt, Rag and Bone cross-body and a neck scarf. You can find the Rag and Bone Cross Body on Ebay here.
SHOP THE LOOK
How about a vintage ralph lauren plaid shirt similar here, belted (vintage RL belt), old black denim jeans from BR and my comfy birdies.
In this look I am wearing the jacket as a shirt belted. I am wearing a vintage pin, old RL belt and a very vintage leather skirt from BP, BLONDO Victorina boots you can find on Amazon here, and beautiful chandelier earrings from Rocki Gorman here.
SHOP THE LOOK
SHOP THE LOOK
What do you think about implementing some slow fashion principles into your own wardrobe? For those of you who read this blog often, you know that I buy many of my clothes on Ebay, Etsy, and vintage shops. I have no problem buying clothes that others have discarded for one reason or another. I feel a lot better if I can buy something I really want at a discounted price.
I have listed several well made black blazers including Eileen Fisher (FYI she is having sale-shop before there are no sizes left. I also included a few inexpensive options (I recommend buying the best you can for a versatile piece like this).
SHOP BLACK BLAZERS
Thank you so much for reading How to Wear One Blazer Eight Ways. I hope you found some inspiration to style your blazer in some fresh ways. Now pop over and visit Sarah and Kim. I know they will have some great ideas.
Annie Diamond says
Cindy! I love all of your looks and am with you on “slow fashion”. It makes me wish I did;t get rid of so much in our last move! I love the way you show how to wear one piece multiple ways! You are the best at this! Eight ways and yet 8 totally different outfits!
Madeline loves to shop vintage and we have found some amazing things…all for her, but it’s still a thrill to find something perfect, well made for $20!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Annie
Can I go shopping with you and Madeline?
Ci ndylou says
What a great post. You are so inspiring. I don’t wear blazers any more because I’m busty and don’t have much of a waist and I find them too warm (I live in Southern California). But I love wearing cardigans, they’re so comfortable and easy to remove and tie around my waist if it gets warm. I have a black wool cardigan with a collar that looks like a blazer that my sister left here and I will try some of your styling tips. I wear silver jewelry and I want to get back to Santa Fe to buy a turquoise squash blossom necklace. I wear a turquoise in the summer and I think it would elevate my casual outfits. Thank you for the post, I appreciate all the work you put into it.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Cindy Lou
I love Santa Fe. We haven’t been for a few years, but many of my favorite pieces have come from there. I know what you mean about most blazers. I like that Peruvian Connection one because it has a longer line. Good luck finding your beautiful squash blossom. Send a pic when you find one you love!
Nancy Brantley says
Yes on slow living. Every time I see a mall parking lot full of cars I say yes keep buying people so I can get a deal on resale!! I purchase furniture and accessories resale. You look great in every outfit…classy!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Nancy
I love your comment it is so true. I am not much of a mall shopper either. I can’t even think of the last time I entered one.
Katherine says
How you put everything together looks really wonderful, you have such a vivid imagination on how to create
an interest that just looks “So Cindy,” You have a beautiful gifted eye and exceptional talent to bring it all together.
I agree to buy quality over quantity. I moved away from doing that the past several years on certain items, and most of those items have now been donated. Good for you that you shop resale.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Katherine
You have made a very good point. If we settle for less we usually are not happy, whether it is home decor or fashion. Sometimes we end up spending more money trying to save money.
Karen B. says
Hi Cindy,
I like to buy recycled clothes from eBay and I do enjoy the occasional top-level piece. Still, I find I can supplement with a few “bargain” pieces. I don’t toss them out all that quickly, but they may not last the same amount of time as a quality label, but it can go a long way to extend my fashion budget. I recently purchased a Patagonia vest on their resale of previously owned pieces. It was great at a great price.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Karen
Excellent points. I have found that some of my really inexpensive scarves have outlasted the pricey ones. We all just have to be smart shoppers and just buy what we love no matter the price.
holly says
OooLaLa! Great ideas and i am looking at my black blazer with new eyes.
Cindy Hattersley says
GOOOOOD happy to hear that Pal!
Heidi says
Hi Cindy,
You are the queen when it comes to accessorizing and restyling things in your wardrobe. I admire every one of your chic looks, and am always inspired by how you put things together. I like that you purchase previously worn items, you find the best bargains and such good pieces. There’s a resale shop a few minutes from here that is very well curated, my daughters and I enjoy shopping there. I’m trying to only buy things I truly love and will get a lot of use out of, but I can be so easily swayed by a “bargain”. That’s a habit I’m trying to change.
Great post Cindy!
Xo Heidi
Cindy Hattersley says
Let’s go shopping at your resale shop!! Sounds like fun!!
bonnie sachs says
love this post! i purchase the best i can, and sometimes/often these pieces might not fall into the ‘slow’ category. but i take care of my clothes, so they are not ‘throwaway’. i’ve had some $30 dresses for years and years. the pieces that end of languishing in my closets are the ‘designer’ pieces that no longer fit properly (or at all) and are waiting for me to lose weight! and i just cannot give them up!
this said…slow garments are getting sooooo expensive and beyond the reach of so many. and size is an issue for thrift shopping. i’ve found that larger sizes are not stylish or classic.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Bonnie
Great point. As I was saying just because it is inexpensive doesn’t mean that it might not be a keeper. Buy what you love and you will wear it! You may not have been reading this blog at the time of the infamous Target dress. I still wear that dress and so do many of my readers and it was under $30 bucks. Buy smart and know your own style
Katie Clooney says
Hi Cindy! You look darling in every photo. I have about six navy blazers in my closet. I think it has to do with wearing one to Catholic school every day! Have a great week!
Cindy Hattersley says
Ha!! Katie thanks for keeping it real!
Carol DeConte says
Cindy,
Fantastic article on slow fashion. It’s so fun to shop in your own closet.
The last 10-15 years we have become a throw away society with clothes, furniture, jewelry and other items. It’s not healthy for the environment or our budgets.. Buying quality items and taking care of them is good for everyone!
It is far better and much more satisfying to purchase quality products, (rather new or used), and take care of the products that will last . When I take out my silver jeweler to polish it brings back memories or when I purchased these pieces. Polishing your good leather shoes, boots, and purses is much easier then constantly buying the latest trend.
I enjoy your articles that show more then one way to wear your outfits. It encourages me to dig through my closet and re-use my clothes and accessories in a new way.
Keep those articles coming.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Carol
You ladies do the same for me. I too have to think outside of the box in order to come up with (hopefully some original) ideas that will inspire you guys. Honestly it is this community of women we have here. You are all so inspiring
Karen says
You were made for clothes. I wish you would give us a tute on how to collect Navajo jewelry I am so interested.
Cindy Hattersley says
I have that in my notes. I promise one is coming Karen!
Joan says
I love every single outfit! This is great inspiration. I also believe in quality over quantity, and I can’t bear the thought of all of the cheap clothing that ends up in landfills.
You are so good at mixing black and brown, my favorite color combo.
Thanks for the ideas!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Joan
Thank you so much. I do my best.
rena.spain says
you are very talented in wearing one blazer in different ways.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Rena
I try my hardest. You all inspire me to do so.
Nancy says
Oh my goodness! This post is great! Love your style and it’s hard to choose which look I like best. I want to duplicate all of them! I think the red blouse with the popped up collar and the necklace is my favorite, but I also love the blazer with the RL plaid shirt. What fun! Now I must go “over” and buy my black velvet Birdies!
Thanks for all the great ideas!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Nancy
You will never regret buying those Birdies. I have worn mine to death. In fact I will probably have to buy a new pair next year. Love them!
Sharon says
I agree that buying quality is the best plan. I love Theory and recently bought their pants which are gorgeous and comfortable too. On another note, love your hair parted on the side in the first photo…. Beautiful!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Sharon
Theory makes beautiful clothes. I guess I need to keep parting my hair on the side!!
Wren Mead says
You are clearly walking the walk as evidenced by pictures taken some years ago. What a great job you’ve done of re-inventing the blazer look each time. I showed you my dear camel blazer which is no longer a good color for me so I need to find a new workhorse, maybe navy, which can take the place.
Thanks for the great reminder to buy quality over quantity!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Wren
Navy would be beautiful on you. I have never been able to pull off navy. I guess it is the brown eyes. You could also buy a beautiful gray. Why arent they making more gray blazers anyway?
LA CONTESSA says
AWESOME!
THE LOOK JUST KEEPS ON GIVING!
Cindy Hattersley says
ha ha!!
Gray says
I love this post. Been thinking about this concept for awhile. I didn’t know it had a name!I have been thinking of shopping my closet with someone like a personal shopper, to put together looks that I wouldn’t have thought of. You get in a rut, so you think you have to buy something new.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Gray
You are exactly right. Sometimes we just need to take a deep dive into our own closet.
Mary Ann Pickett says
This is giving me so much inspiration!! You look so great in all the blazer looks!
Cindy Hattersley says
Thanks Pal you look fabulous in blazers!!
1010Parkplace says
With a handful of exceptions, I’ve always been a proponent of slow fashion. Fewer pieces of better quality I’ll have for years. Somehow I’ve never gravitated to blazers. Whenever I’ve bought them, they just hang, unworn in my closet. xoxox, Brenda
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Brenda
I have to be honest, neither was I until I was gifted this one. The cut, the fabric, it just works for me
Joanna says
You are the best at creating interesting outfits! You layer in such a creative way.
I think I am already doing Slow Fashion, I buy quality furniture that is classic & timeless and keep it for many, many years. I shop thrift stores and consignment, only shopping retail when I need something specific that I haven’t found thrifting. I don’t feel the need to rush out and buy every new trend, nor do I shop for amusement. I am wishing I had some of your amazing jewelry pieces. Would you share how you find them?
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Joanna
You are my kinda girl!! I much prefer what they call “thrifting” now. I don’t know if it is the challenge, or the fact that most of what I see in stores doesn’t interest me. I prefer scavenging for things!
Pamela Whitcomb says
As always, you share wonderful ideas that you are practicing yourself. And as always you look amazing! Thank you for being a ‘mentor’ and blessing to so many!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Pam
And thank you for being a lifelong friend! You are the best! For all of you readers Pam and I went to junior high, high school and college together! An d….we still like each other after all these years!
Debbie says
Cindy outstanding article….the top picture is the best! I see such a resemblance of Summer!
Thank you for sharing.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Debbie
Do you? I showed Summer my old dance picture the other day and asked her who I looked like and she said me!!! I wish I had her beauty. Luckily she has no idea how pretty she is!
Ca Heartfelt Whimsies says
Loved this post about the importance of lasting wardrobe pieces. My closet is full of black and I love the way you showed lots of ways to add interest to your staple blazer!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Carole
Mine is too! I try to be more colorful but what do I reach for? Black of course!!
Ginger says
Every one of your outfits looks absolutely amazing! You are a master of combining color, texture and layers, wow! I am definitely with you ladies on re-loving and reusing what we have and what others have enjoyed before us. Just yesterday I pulled together a layered outfit with pieces I’ve owned for years, and have never worn together, and I was delighted with the ensemble! Thanks for the inspiration, as always!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Ginger
We just have to take the time to do it, don’t we. Covering fashion has forced me to look at my clothes in a different light.
K winch says
good ideas in this post however, I have to say I do not care for the faux leather it looks so faux
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Karen
I totally understand. It took me awhile to warm up to it as well. Now I am a fan.
Jennifer says
I adore your styling and you look amazing!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Jennifer
Thank you so much I sure appreciate it!!
Karen says
Cindy:
Every single Pic, detailed, so Amazing, Awesome and always say it The Camera Loves Loves ya. I think the concept of slow fashion is
mindful. I have pieces in the wardrobe, that I so glad to this day, bought them, and they are
Classic pieces could still wear today.
We just find now lifestyle is so different now than back in Big D, to literally go out and get supplies here, (bitter raw temps) throw on snow boots, Coat, Gloves and all the garb,, is exhausting( snow blow, etc).
I told myself was going to start wearing more of my clothing this year., Have purged, donated,
, trashed, stack for Alterations.
Thank you so much❤️❤️
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Karen
I think we all are living so much more casual lifestyles due to Covid, no matter where we live. I need to do another big purge myself!
SaRah London says
What a great take on SLOW fashion. Love it when you can wear one item so many different ways. It becomes indispensable and well loved. This fabulous jacket is the perfect example of just that. Cut well, Made well. Fits like a dream in. And it works so well with what you have. Perfect example of what we should aim for when we do add to our ever growing wardrobes.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Sarah
Thanks for coming up with a great idea. You have so many interesting ideas for posts. Love doing this with you!!
kim says
Love this post Cindy. I think it’s huge how much we can do our small part in this vicious shopping cycle by buying less and better. You are a great example of someone who uses beautiful pieces that you’ve owned so many different ways with your styling and accessories. It all boils down to that and thinking about how we can use what its already on the planet! I love that you shop preowned . My goal is to do that first this year before when I need to shop. What a chic blazer. Everyone needs one and what could be more versatile and flattering? I love each way you wore this. Great doing this with you ladies always and here’s to a new year of fun.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Kim
I love that blazer because of the cut. It fits me perfectly and is long enough to cover the bum! I think it can be worn much more casually than most blazers.