Tartan Boss Blazer

After my girlfriends and I were in the workforce for a few years we lamented about all of the falsities told to us about how we had to dress to be taken seriously as professionals. While I was a journalist in a small town and most dress codes didn’t apply to me – especially if I was going to the county fair that week – some of my gal pals were in a corporate environment and still trying to figure out their own style that wasn’t a suit and a button down. (Oh, how we all bought button downs and then realized the gaps between buttons would never go away! A silky blouse is much more practical and flattering.) We were all so invested in the subject of what to wear as a young woman in an office setting that I even asked some of my friends for their advice for a blog post. Rereading it, it’s still a favorite post topic. My favorite past of what was submitted was about whether it’s appropriate to wear braids in an office setting – the answer is hilarious, see for yourself! (For the record, I still do.)

I was looking back at my professional series posts and thinking about how much has changed in the workforce. I guess you can thank millennials for that, I’m sure every news outlet has. Also I believe reality TV stars and influencers’ influence on our fashion choices have also bled into the workforce. For the first time in my company’s history of 60+ years, this year we were approved to wear jeans any day of the week! And although ripped jeans aren’t technically allowed, I still push the envelope with a good pair and a blazer now and then. I believe a fashionable, pulled together outfit is better any day of the week than an ill-fitting, shlumpy one.

As mentioned though, the trend of jeans in the workplace is hard to balance with everything else in my closet to still look professional. And I find if I show up to work in casual clothes I’d wear on the weekend, I start to take on that day-off mentality and don’t get as much done. Therefore, I’ve started to build out a closet with structured but fun tops that can offset a casual pant. For instance, this floral blazer I own can be worn with a skirt or belted with a pair of jeans. And wow, this plaid tartan blazer – talk about something fit for a boss lady. I saw women on Instagram wear it as a dress with nothing underneath, which looks great on the streets at NYFW but wouldn’t quite pass in my office. But I still didn’t need to go too formal, and opted for a cotton white T underneath. I ended up wearing it for work and to play – it’s one of those great pieces that’s so versatile!

Below are some of the coolest and chicest women’s blazers available now in anyone’s price point. Having one hanging in your closet that you feel great in reinforces the feeling inside and out that you are the boss lady.