First of all, I’m not going to dwell on the fact I missed my Weight Watchers meeting last night. I was so exhausted from the hangover that I had from the weekend’s big family reunion that I needed to go home and sleep.
No regrets at all. How often can one attend a family reunion. How often can one down five Long Island Iced Teas in the course of three hours and remain standing?
But fear not. I’m back on track and will be attending next Monday.
Now that that’s out of the way, I had an epiphany this morning as I was getting ready for work It was a very simple thing that triggered this epiphany of mine.
Bonaparte came into the little guest room where I apply my makeup every morning and get ready for work. He simply asked me if I had anything that needed to go to the dry cleaner.
And I did have something. One of my Navy Blazers. As slightly stained as this blazer was, I didn’t want to part with it—even for a few days. I’m very attached to my clothing. Then I realized I had three, yes—three more navy blazers and that’s when this epiphany hit me.
Three Navy Schoolboy blazers in front. THE essential item that everyone needs!
One can never have enough navy blazers. But then again, all of humanity, every woman, man and child should, must, needs to have at least one in their wardrobe.
Why? You may wonder. There’s so many reasons but the main reason is for the versatility. Navy may not seem like a neutral, but it does go with everything. You see, a black blazer can look too formal. A bright blazer may not give the impression you mean business.
But a navy blazer—oh it does all those things and more.
It can dress up a pair of jeans. It can add polish to an old pair of pants. It can look edgy with a pair of shorts. It is a color for all seasons. It can look elegant just as much as it can be casual.
Yes. A navy blazer can make a pair of shorts look a bit more acceptable! And in the summer–with all that A/C, sometimes you need a bit of warmth!
The navy blazer is my one essential item of clothing that I’ll never be without.
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. I wear a navy blazer all year round!
Each one of the kids had a navy blazer during their childhood into the teen years into adulthood and they each continue to wear them.
My son, Jake, at the Grammy Awards a couple of years ago. Wearing a navy blazer, I taught him well!
I’ll never forget when Jake started Kindergarten at St. Ignatius Loyola. The boy’s uniform was some Navy blazer and gray flannel slacks. I carted him off for his first-ever trip to Brooks Brothers and that navy blazer was so well-constructed that it was handed down to Roman, then to Oona, then to one of the neighborhood kids.
At four-year old (he started school very young), and ready for kindergarten in his Brooks Brothers Best!
And three years later, Roman was in his Brooks Brothers Blazer!
In fact, even after we left NYC for New Jersey, my closets were the ones the neighbors came to if their sons needed a navy blazer for an occasion! And even though Oona’s present tastes run more aligned with the Boho look, she has her navy blazer for her office attire!
I’ll freaking wear a navy blazer any time. Let’s have a look.
This is a photo from my first blog post A Great Weekend in Brooklyn, NY
The “Uniform” look. Navy blazer, sweater and plaid skirt. Simple and comfortable and great for the winter!
Who needs a winter coat when you wear a blazer over a wool sweater layered over a chambray shirt?
A Navy Blazer will make a pair of white pants pop!
My City Hall Wedding Outfit. Naturally, I wore a navy blazer! It dressed up the jeans and tee!
Another favorite casual look!
And don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are too old for a cropped or edgy blazer. You aren’t. A nicely fitted one enhances the curves. A shorter one can really allow you to show off your curvy hips and bottom.
With navy ankle pants, and a navy blazer you can achieve a suiting look and keep it simple and classic!
You don’t have to spend a fortune either. All of my J. Crew blazers were purchased on sale. When the Schoolboy blazer was discontinued, I got an even deeper discount.
My navy Schoolboys are my go-to’s but my Dover blazer is the one that I like when it’s dress-up time. It’s a double-breasted number and longer in length. If I want to give myself a longer look, I’ll wear it in the evening when we got out for a casual dinner and with jeans and heels it looks great!
The J. Crew Dover Blazer, not as casual as the Schoolboy but a bit more polished. And it’s double-breasted!
The double-breasted Dover blazer. I think I’ll wear this to work tomorrow. Adds a bit more polish!
Another item that I think everyone should also have is a plain white tee. If you have been reading this blog for a couple of years, then you know about my love and admiration for the Old Navy Fitted Crewneck tees that were also discontinued. I purchased over a dozen.
A plain white tee under a blazer…
…is a great combination. Nothing fussy nothing overdone. Simply understated!
A white tee always looks great and it brightens the face—gives the face a youthful glow, if you will.
I paid less than five dollars for my Old Navy Tee’s that sadly were discontinued–but seek and ye shall find great ones in the men’s and boys departments!
But as with everything else, you don’t have to spend a ton of money. Go to Walmart. Go to the men’s department and buy a package of Hanes or Fruit of the Loom short sleeved tee’s in size “Small”—they fit beautifully.
Lately I find myself drawn to the slightly loose tee—but not too loose or it looks sloppy. A tee and navy blazer is the icing on that piece of cake that is you!!
I’m changing things up a bit with a looser tee. I like the half tuck! Oh Tuck it!
I thought you might like to take a look at a couple of affordable blazers. They are on my Amazon Influencer Page so if you want to take a look, here’s the link: Atypical60 Amazon
I’ll be working on some wig blogs during the weekend. In the meantime, have a look-see at my newest bob! I love her. And I wore her all weekend and she held up!!
Awesomely beautiful
Thank you so much!!!! XXOXOXO!!!!
Nooooooo Cathe, can’t agree. I have very cropped silvery blonde hair and pale skin with yellow undertones and navy makes me look so drained and tired and the formality, however dressed down is way too sever a look.
It seems to be the equivalent of the famous ‘red lip’ which every woman is supposed to be able to wear in some tone or another. another Noooooooo !
Bette Davis as ‘Baby Jane ‘ immediately and terrifyingly appears in my mirror and my practically non- existent lips get a panicky scrubbling.
I think well fitting jeans are my basis for everything, my bare legs are not for public sight , very thick now, pixie pants are out of the question, but I find that one of my little vintage jackets ( one was my Mum’s) give a degree of grown-uppness without the severity of a blazer.
You, however wear this style beautifully as you do so many lip colours, keep up the good work Cathe, I live now in the rural Scottish Highlands and I miss america SO much so it’s like having a buddy in the sates that I can have a natter with most days.
Jilly xx
Hi Jilly!!! What about a more teal-colored blazer? I hear you on the lipstick though. Red lipstick looks ghastly on me! It was fine when I was younger but oh boy. No way!!!!!
Hope the Highlands are warming up–we’ve had horrendous cold that turned into 90 degree warmth overnight!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
You are the one that introduced me to the cut of the schoolboy blazer. I stocked up on a few of GAP’s version, the Academy blazer. I wore the gray one for an interview last week, and will be wearing the navy one for the second one this week (same job). They are perfect for looking professional in a business casual environment. So thank you Cathe!!! And yes, I’m going back to work after almost 6 years of being a full-time caregiver!
Lori–You Are Welcome!! I had a plaid Academy blazer but left it at Oona’s some time ago. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. Are you keeping the job search to the confines of Center City???? XOXOXOXO!!!!
Center City would actually be too far, I’m keeping it very local to NE Philly. Hopefully I’ll know tomorrow or Friday about this job. It’s really perfect for me and my situation 🙂 xoxo
Lori. I’m going to pray a Rosary that you get the job!!! I’m really excited for you!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Thank you sooooo much! Xoxoxoxo
You make such a great case for the navy blazer! I have one and I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve worn it, that is criminal isn’t it?! I had every intention of wearing it the ways you suggested and then never did. I’ll rectify that asap, thanks for the reminder!
xo,
Kellyann
Kellyann! Get that blazer out and wear her! OMG. With your style prowess that blazer will be so happy and looking fantastic!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I love my blazers and have two or three navy ones…can’t remember the exact number. Ha, ha. Cute video! The hair is cute and looks great on you! Love to hear you voice. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Hi Amy! You’re so kind to say that you love to hear my voice. Usually after a few hours people are begging me to stop! LOL!!!!! I’m thrilled to hear that you share my love of navy blazers and have multiples!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I love blazers too, but I prefer black. I think it’s the gold buttons that often go along with navy that just don’t work for me. The closest I have is a black watch plaid one that has navy, green and black together, and a cute white, red and navy checked cotton summer one – both from J Crew. My husband is so confused by the half tuck, lol!
Hi Turner! I have two black blazers that I wear more for suiting or if I want to look very businesslike! It’s funny because I guess navy doesn’t work for everyone! Tee hee. Bonaparte can’t stand that half tuck. I just say “tuck you, I’m wearing it”!! OOOOOHHHHH!!! I said TUCK!! LOL!!!!!XOXOXOXOXO
Also meant to say it’s been years (let’s be honest, decades) since I even thought of drinking a Long Island Iced Tea and oh boy that sounds SO good to me right now!
Oddly enough. And I fall asleep after a glass or two of wine, I can hold the booze in the Long Islands!! And they taste so good anytime!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Awesome Looks! I love the Paris tee shirt!!!!!!
Great ideas.
Thanks Debe!! My wedding shirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Jake is a handsome dude and can rock a navy blazer. You started your boys very young on classic styles. Brooks Brothers is the pinnacle of well made clothes for men. Love your tee shirts and navy blazers. I have a wool and mixed fabrics classic navy blazers and a dark blue classic style denim blazer. Blazers are right on top of my favorite items of clothing. Over dresses, pants, shorts, skirts… as you’ve already mentioned. Amelia
Hi Amelia! Thank you! Jake is a rather handsome guy–but I’m partial! Oh…all three kids were started on classic styles at a young age! And it stayed with them!! I’ve been a Brooks Brothers fan forever.
It’s so true though. The blazer are on top of everything!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Very inspiring – I am googling navy blazers immediately! I’ve NEVER worn one – can you believe? So going to go try some on – thanks for the brilliant (as ever) posts
John Lewis have some “contrast collar” own brand blazers £120, I think they are probably going to look OK with jeans or dresses or trousers or whatever – the “contrast” is a tiny, grey strip on the underside of the collar, they are quite a bright-ish navy and have a tiny bit of texture to the fabric so I suspect they are quite forgiving 🙂 to mist skin tones
Oooh thanks for the tip – I’ll have a look now!
Hey! It’s never too late to start with the Navy blazer!!!!!!! Have fun in your search and find a great one. You’ll always wear it!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Do you know I have never had a classic navy blazer, but inspired by this post I snuck into John Lewis and tried one on. After I went and had a flat white and sat and then made notes on what I might wear it with that already exists in my wardrobe I went back and bought it. I now plan on wearing it on Monday to work (bank holiday – hardly anyone in there but I am taking Friday off instead), I was actually surprised how useful it might be – I think the trick might be for newbies like me is to wear it asap – at least in the first week for sure otherwise it will sink further and further back into my wardrobe.
Hi Juliet! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are very pragmatic to go back, make a list, then make the purchase! Those navy blazers–I’ll tell you, you won’t be disappointed with that purchase!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!!
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
BLAZING A TRAIL IN FASHION—LOVE IT!
Thank you Jonathan!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO