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It was there when I strolled into my neighbourhood Zara last week. The five-star fashion item is purchased. The clue is that it’s a blazer. The second hint is that it resembles the boucle jackets created by Matthieu Blazy, the new designer at Chanel and the most revered figure in the fashion world.
Every now and then, a new item that updates and refines the clothing we already own appears. That saves a lot of work and is always pleasant. Then, less often, that item saves the day in terms of fashion.
It works, it’s familiar but unusual, you look good in it, you know you’ll wear it a lot (you don’t take it off when you try it on in the store), and the bullseye gives you the impression that you’re in the white-hot zone with the extremely fashionable people who aren’t paddling in the warm, safe shallows.
One of the few Zara blazers in the Blazy style, this jacket is boxy, boucle, black and white windowpane check, fitting on the sleeves and shoulders and accented with shaggy fringe. It is everything of the above and more.
These days, we all err on the side of minimalism and ease of blending, in part because we can’t afford to purchase ineffective clothing. As a result, we frequently lose out on the vibrant, eye-catching aspect of fashion that keeps us looking young and unique.
Because of the incredibly long fringe at the neck, wrists, pockets, and shoulders, a Chanel-inspired Zara jacket, or one similar to it, is incredibly practical and stylish.
And if you’re thinking, “Yeah, but a tweedy jacket in May?”Because this jacket is made of a light polyester blend, you may wear it over a shirt, sleeveless top, or T-shirt in warm weather, even if you have to put it down for a few weeks in August before wearing it again in September.
The drawbacks are that it’s expensive (£149, zara.com) and you have to try it on in-store (I needed a different size in all three of the most Blazy-esque coats). However, the actual bargains are around £10,000, and you’ll get enough use out of them in the coming months to justify the expense.
Furthermore, I can attest that it raises your game because I purchased mine last Tuesday. Mine has led me to replace my loafers with a small block heel, reach for the cleaner jeans with the pressed seam down the front, and put on an old, once-loved cocktail ring.
You may keep the jacket buttoned in the evening (again, I’ve tried it), and it looks airy and somewhat Roaring Twenties decadent while acting as a fluffy Elizabethan collar to cover an untucked neck.
A stylish silk tie blouse underneath would also look great; consider Mango’s (£99.99, mango.com).
I’ve worn dark blue skirts, off-white jeans, and starchy flares on the bottom (so far). It would look fantastic with leather, sophisticated over a midi black dress with white shoes, and stylish in the autumn with boots and a similarly textured below-the-knee skirt.
The basic idea is that you may wear the Blazy look jacket whatever you choose, however it would be a shame to wear it with simple black trousers (not very Blazy).
Since not everyone likes black and white checks, Zara has developed alternative variations.
For those who prefer a bold, tidy top and are shorter in stature, there is a sophisticated cropped boucle double-breasted jacket in a red, white and black check with the necessary fuzzy fringe (£129).
The bright yellow, black and white check boucle jacket (£49.99) is more casual; it has a shacket feel and is zipped up with fringe seams.
The most basic choice is a navy jacket with a stand-up collar and off-center buttoning (£59.99).
While Zara is leading the Blazy trail, the rest of the high street is following closely behind in the race to offer superior coats.
Other options are Aligne’s long-waisted, collarless blazer (£175, aligne.co) in a variety of colours, which is a practical form that goes well with skirts and pants, or, as of last week, Stella McCartney’s strong-shouldered, smart blazers from H&M (from £59, 2.hm.com).
Aiming for something more intriguing than your standard blue blazer is the current message. Think big, think brave, and perhaps think Blazy for the time being.
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