Blazing Hot

Back in January of this year, I wrote an article about how you can layer your clothes to keep warm and get good use out of your spring/summer clothes during the winter. Now that it's fall and will soon be winter once again, layering is back in style. So it's no surprise to see vests, cardigans, and shrugs everywhere. What other outer layer can you expect to see a lot of this fall? Blazers! While a blazer was once considered a conservative article of clothing that was really only worn as part of a suit in business settings, this is no longer the case. All you need to do is style a blazer with a pair of jeans and some bold accessories. With this, it instantly becomes a great casual piece for everyday wear. It's a great way to dress down but still look polished at the same time. Take a look at my blazing fashion finds below!

Boyfriend Blazer, $53.90, available in sizes M-XL, alloy.com

One-Button Boy Blazer, $49.90, available n sizes S-L, alloy.com

Terry Blazer, $24.99, available in sizes XS and S, alloy.com

Tartan Plaid Blazer, $32.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Mineral Wash Blazer, $42.50, shown in black; also available in blue, sizes XS-XL, delias.com

Double-Knit Blazer, $59.50, shown in heather gray; also available in true black knit, sizes XS-XXL, gap.com

Women's Cotton Twill One-Button Blazers, $39.50, shown in khaki; also available in pavement and black, sizes XS-XXL, oldnavy.com

Women's Double-Breasted Boyfriend Blazers, $19.75, available in sizes M and XL, oldnavy.com

Women's Essential One-Button Blazers, $19.99, shown in heather grey; also available in new black and coffee grounds, sizes XS-XXL, oldnavy.com

Basic Blazer, $27.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Career Blazer, $24.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Cropped Knit Blazer, $24.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Dressy Cropped Blazer, $29.80, available in sizes Medium and Large, forever21.com

Dressy Tux Blazer, $22.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Gabardine Blazer, $29.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Ponte Knit Blazer, $24.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Reverse Zipper Trim Blazer, $29.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Ruched 3/4 Sleeve Blazer, $29.80, available in sizes Small and Medium, forever21.com

Satin Trim Blazer, $29.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

3/4 Career Blazer, $27.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

3/4 Tweed Jacket, $29.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

One Button Blazer, $34.00, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Cat Walk Juniors Tweed Hooded, $56.00, available in sizes Small and Medium, target.com

Cat Walk Juniors Tweed Hooded Blaxer, $56.00, available in sizes Small and Medium, target.com

Kimchi Blue French Terry Woven Cuff Blazer, $29.99, shown in black; also available in navy, sizes x-small-lsrge, urbanoutfitters.com

Mirror/Dash French Terry Boyfriend Blazer, $58.00, shown in parlor red; also available in charcoal, sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Mirror/Dash Striped French Terry Boyfriend Blazer, $58.00, available in sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Cozy Blazer, $14.99, shown in cobalt blue; also available in dirty white, sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Faux Suede Blazer, $49.99, shown in grey; also available in purple rain, sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Little Brother Blazer, $39.99, shown in navy; also available in cobalt blue and black, sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Pieced Shoulder Shrunken Blazer, $49.99, available in sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Striped Lapel French Terry Blazer, $29.99, available in sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Urban Renewal Floral Printed Blazer, $49.99, shown in grey; also available in navy, sizes small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Urban Renewal Vintage Menswear Blazer, $58.00, available in sizes small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Urban Renewal Vintage Tweed Blazer, $48.00, shown in grey; also available in brown, sizes small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

1 Button Sateen Blazer, $22.50, shown in pink; also available in ivory and black, sizes s-xl, wetseal.com

Stripe Fitted Jacket, $25.99, available in sizes L and XL, wetseal.com

Tab Button Plaid Blazer, $24.50, available in sizes L and XL, wetseal.com

Tuxedo Blazer, $24.50, available in sizes S-XL, wetseal.com

3/4 Sleeve Textured Blazer, $24.50, available in sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

For wearing a blazer to a job interview, pair it with a solid colored button-down shirt, some tailored pants, and pumps. To take a blazer from the office during the day to a night out (be it for a date or club/bar hopping with the girls) that you don't have time to change for in between, wear your blazer with a camisole, a bandage pencil skirt, and a pair of pumps. Also, carry an oversized braided strap handbag with you. Make sure to put a bib necklace, some bangle bracelets, a pair of hoop earrings, and a flower hair clip inside your bag. When you're through with work and ready to go out for the night, remove your blazer and put on all of the fun accessories you packed. You may also try this going from work to play look with a classic little black dress (just make sure the dress you pick out is appropriate for work). To get a menswear-inspired look, pair your blazer with a white button-down shirt, some tailored pants, a fedora hat, oxford shoes, and a necktie. For a Thanksgiving feast with the family, wear a blazer with a 2fer tank dress, a pair of argyle tights, ballet flats, and a feather hairclip. If you want to wear a blazer to school or to dress it down for other types of casual settings, wear it with some skinny jeans, a rock & roll graphic t-shirt, a pair of slouch boots, chandelier earrings, a plaid scarf, and a beret. If you have your own suggestions about how to wear blazers in either a business or casual setting, let me know.

Shrug It Off

Around this time last year, I wrote an article about cardigan sweaters. Like cardigans, shrugs are also perfect for layering over almost anything and would look great at the dinner table on Thanksgiving. If you're wondering what a shrug is, it's a type of sweater or jacket that's short, snug, and open in the front. They look best layered over tank tops, camisoles, tube tops, and strapless or sleeveless dresses. Perhaps shrugs can be compared to the cropped cardigan, except that shrugs don't button like cardigans usually do. Take a look at the cute little shrugs I found below to get some ideas.

Front Cross Shrug Top, $29.99, available in sizes Medium and Large, babyphat.com

DKNYC Shrug with Rosettes, $39.50, shown in raddish; available in black, sizes Small-X Large, bloomingdales.com

Ruched Knit Shrug, $22.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Lace Shrug, $18.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Beaded Shrug, $21.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Ruffle Sequin Shrug, $10.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Velvet Shrug, $28.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Cropped Faux Fur Shrug, $22.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Feather Print Knit Shrug, $19.80, available in sizes Medium and Large, forever21.com

Long Sleeve Sweater Shrug, $17.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Metallic Satin Shrug, $24.80, available in sizes Small and Medium, forever21.com

Ruffled Satin Shrug, $10.50, shown in purple; also available in black and silver, sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Sequin Trim Sweater Shrug, $24.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Spangled Shrug, $22.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Sparkle Pointelle Sweater Shrug, $19.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Layered Pleated Woven Shirt, $22.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Elastic Cuffs Sweater Shrug, $14.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Femme For DKNY Sweater Cacoon Shrug, $59.00, available in sizes XS-L, macys.com

Piper & Blue Junior's Slub Wrap Shrug, $6.00, shown in cappuccino; also available in jet black, wild orchid, and white chocolate, sizes Small-Extra large, kmart.com

Mock Shrug Top, $14.00, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Pyramid Shrug, $13.99, available in sizes M and L, mandee.com

Crop Shrug Cardigan, $14.99, shown in hematite; also available in white, sizes S-L, mandee.com

Pointelle Cap Sleeve Shrug, $7.20, shown in white; also available in black, sizes M and L, mandee.com

Style Species Shrug, $54.99, available in sizes S-XL, modcloth.com

City Style Cotton Shrug, $32.36,shown in glorious horizon; available in landing green, meticulous teal, cooling cranberry, and social red, sizes XS-XL, nyandcompany.com

City Triangles 3/4 Sleeve Jersey Shrug, $24.99, available in sizes Small and Large, sears.com

Vintage 1955 Layered Solid Top With Shrug, $14.99, shown in red; also available in black, sizes Small-Extra large, sears.com

Vintage 1955 Layered Stripe Top with Shrug, $14.99, shown in black; also available in red and yellow, sizes Small-Extra large, sears.com

Kimichi Blue Double Knit Shrug, $19.99, shown in black; also available in ravenscourt, sizes medium and large, urbanoutfitters.com

Embellish Military Shrug, $22.50, available in sizes XS-L, wetseal.com

Faux Fur Shrug, $34.50, available in sizes S-XL, wetseal.com

Marled Sweater Shrug, $19.50,shown in teal; also available in black, sizes S-L (teal not available in S), wetseal.com

Pointelle Crop Shrug, $13.99, shown in purple; also available in ivory, sizes S and M, wetseal.com

Solid Mini Shrug, $12.50, available in sizes XS-L, wetseal.com

For a great fall look, wear your shrug with a 2fer tank dress, some denim leggings, a cuff bracelet, and a pair of slouch boots. For a nice casual look, wear your shrug with a pair of ripped jeans, a tank top, and some sneakers. For a day at school, you can pair your shrug with a camisole, a faux denim mini skirt, tights, a bib necklace, and some over-the-knee boots. For Thanksgiving dinner with the family, pair a shrug with a sleeveless tunic, some jeggings, a beret, and a pair of ballet flats. For a holiday party, wear a shrug with a strapless tier dress, some high-heeled shoes, a bow necklace, chandelier earrings, a flower headband, and a sequin handbag. For hitting up clubs, pair your shrug with a tube top, some skinny jeans, hoop earrings, bangle bracelets, a fringe handbag, a feather headband, and bandage shoes. Tell me if you have any more ideas on how to wear a shrug.