5 ways to wear a colored blazer

Give your favorite bloom-covered dress a new spin by adding a bold blazer, sticking to a shade that mirrors some of the flowers within the print. This is a particularly useful approach if you’re heading off to a wedding: drape the jacket across your shoulders during the day, then shrug it off when you hit the dance floor.

This is the ultimate in hi/low summer dressing. A swishy skirt (printed, colorful, makes you want to twirl), a T-shirt and sandals are basically our warm-weather uniform and as easy-breezy as things come. Throw a masculine-shaped blazer over the top and it will smarten things up without looking overthought.

It may be a timeless staple, but the pant suit feels super-modern when whipped up in baby blue rather than trusty black or gray. Pair with simple, contemporary jewelry and crisp-white accessories – opt for flats rather than heeled sandals to keep away from overtly feminine territory.

You’ll have to trust us on this one: shorts are having a fashion moment – and not just in the world of off-duty dressing. Pick an elegant, precisely cut pair (we’re not talking about your trusty denim cutoffs here) that hit just above the knee, add your blazer and smart, polished accessories.

It’s not groundbreaking, but it always looks great: simply throw a bright blazer over your straight-leg jeans along with a blouse, cami or T-shirt, depending on your destination. It’s the accessories that really bring this look together; aim for ladylike, interesting shapes that will push it from classic to of the moment.

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