Why Blazers Are Going To Be Fall's Favorite Jacket

We may not be going back to school, but our wardrobes certainly are. Blazers were paired with everything from step-hem jeans to bohemian floral dresses at Copenhagen Fashion Week, and we're sure we'll be wearing them through fall and winter, too.

The traditionally preppy piece has been reimagined and, trust us, you’ll want in. We're talking power suits, oversized jackets, and shoulder pads. These words may conjure a fear of permed hair and over-the-top colors, but fret not — the formal blazer has been revitalized and given a contemporary refresh..

Originally the uniform of old boys’ clubs — complete with naval-style gold embellishments and a house crest — the garment's stuffy connotations were ripped up in the early ‘60s by Mods wearing boating blazers on the streets of London. After bands like The Who, The Kinks, and The Beatles wore the trend, the '80s rolled around, with women adopting the conservative style of corporate men. The era saw knee-length skirts, turtleneck sweaters, and razor-sharp tailoring take the relationship between masculine and feminine dressing to a whole new level.

Come the '90s, Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker and Blur’s Graham Coxon brought the blazer to the Britpop scene (paired with battered Converses and a skinny tie), with Elastica’s Justine Frischmann layering over a band tee or a classic white shirt. Since then, we’ve seen Kate Moss bring a sexier edge to the rock 'n' roll blazer, and it’s become a staple of French style when worn with rolled-up sleeves and messed-up hair.

So, how did designers reimagine the jacket du jour for spring? Gucci gave it an eccentric and whimsical twist, with sharp lapel piping in bright colors, gold fabrics, and floral embroidery, while Saint Laurent’s were given a super-sexy Grace Jones touch. DKNY served up extreme proportions — think tiny waists, wide shoulders, and extra-long sleeves — and Off-White put a sporty spin on white blazers with mismatched hems, baseball caps, and racing stripes.

We saw traditional grays and checks at Topshop Unique and Chanel, alongside Prada’s hyper-feminine red and yellow fitted number. In contrast, Demna Gvasalia super-sized the shape at Balenciaga, while Céline presented — as you’d expect — the most wearable and chic workwear jackets.

There's ample proof the traditional blazer can be spun every which way, so there's really a shape, hue, and style to suit everyone. Click through to see how Instagram's most stylish women are bringing the piece back to life.