The other day I received a survey email from Topshop asking me all about blazers, when I wear them, etc. Apparently blazer jackets are going to be a trend item this spring, and I’ve already got two in my closet that I never wear. And I had two other ones till I donated them in February following some Marie Kondo-inspired cleaning. So with a few client meetings in the diary I decided to put together an outfit with a blazer that wouldn’t look out of place in my casual office setting.

First up, it was bloody freezing outside on the day I wanted to photograph, so my husband (yes, Jeff has learned how to use my DSLR to help me get fashion pictures for my blog!) and I decided to avoid freezing ourselves and just photograph in the tiny stairwell of our mansion flat building.

And while it was a tiny space, the lighting was great and the recent refurb makes it look pretty chic!

Anyhow, the outfit! I haven’t worn blazers since I worked in a more ‘corporate’ office where jeans weren’t really appropriate. Ever since I started at my current day job (over two years ago now – where does the time go?!) where there is a more relaxed approach to office wear I – quite literally – hung my blazers up and haven’t touched them since.

To help keep the casual vibes of my office I started with a pair of skinny jeans. They’re not as smart as trousers, but the silhouette works! I also cuffed the sleeves of my blazer to show the lining detail (many of the blazers at Gap and Zara offer this!), but also because I’m petite and the sleeves of this regular fit blazer are a bit too long.

For shoes I wore a pair of trusty heeled black ankle boots and the jeans cuffed up. (If I was back at my corporate job that’t totally have been trousers with a court shoe!)

I debated wearing a T-shirt, but I (surprisingly!) don’t own many (I don’t know why?) so instead put on a boyfriend style button down. This way if I took my jacket off I’d still look smart, and with the jacket on it layers nicely. I also like the light / dark contrast the shirt brings to the jeans and jacket.

I could have stopped there with the clothes, but I decided to add this vintage scarf for a bit more colour. And, as you can see, a long chain necklace with a marble pendant for a touch more personality!

I got this scarf at a vintage shop near Brick Lane a while back, but any square scarf or neck scarf would work nicely in this style.

We photographed at the weekend so I styled this with my small cream handbag. I love how it looks, but if I’ve got a day of meetings I’d need to either bring a larger bag or a tote bag to fit my laptop and notebook!

Instead I wore this look to the Sunday opening of the Professional Beauty Show to meet some more people in the beauty industry, and I’ve got some exciting beauty posts lined up off the back of that.

For some arm candy I put on a watch and a bangle – little details to help pull together some of the colours from the rest of the outfit! And I guess the watch is practical for helping me time manage throughout the day…

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work I go…

Blazer: Gap, old | Shirt: Abercombie & Fitch, old | Jeans: All Saints, old | Shoes: Dune, old | Scarf: vintage | Necklace: Aldo, old | Bag: Etui @ Topshop, old | Watch: Triwa, old | Bangle: Halcyon Days, similar

And there you have it! A way to wear a blazer that will work well in less ‘corporate’ office settings and doesn’t appear too formal.

Do you like wearing blazers to work, or do they feel too formal / stuffy? How do you like to style them?

Much love, Katie xo