The Easy Two-Part Outfit I Keep Seeing This Spring

April 09, 2021 at 06:00AM

You don’t need to scroll very far on Instagram to see that oversize is the silhouette du jour. From stylish celebs (hello, Billie Eilish and Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen) to discerning fashion influencers (we’re looking at you, Alexis Foreman), the presiding fashion mood of the last few years has very much been the bigger the better. For 2021, there has been one particular way that this has manifested: the humble blazer-and-skirt pairing. Specific though it may sound, I guarantee that once you clock the pairing, you’ll suddenly see it wherever you go.

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While, historically, this classic duo has come in a plethora of shapes and silhouettes, it’s clear that slouchy tailoring and calf-grazing lengths are the main way in which the trend is making its presence felt this year. It was Jen Azoulay’s Western-blazer-and-pleated-skirt ensemble (see above) that initially piqued my interest, and the way she styles her pieces with a faded logo tee and low-heel boots suddenly made these tricky separates look effortlessly cool. 

As always, there is no single way to work this look, and there’s a reasonable chance you already have the components needed to re-create it currently sitting in your wardrobe. It’s all about playing with unusual colour pairings—think sage green and pastel pink—or mixing up contrasting textures, as seen in Alexis Foreman’s knitted-skirt-and-linen-blazer outfit. Or for ultimate styling ease, you could try going tonal à la Lydia from @femmeblk. So to get your creative juices flowing, I’ve put together nine blazer-and-skirt pairings that will work perfectly for the changeable spring temperatures. If you’re not a fan of the midi (they can be tricky for petite individuals), I’ve also included a few miniskirt options which, despite their small proportions, actually look pretty chic with an oversize blazer. Scroll down to see and shop my finds. 

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Kate Spade Autumn/Winter Sale

I love how Franny Fyne has added a flash of print to her classic blue blazer via her button-up midi skirt. 

For a suited-and-booted approach, take your style cues from Stephanie Broek, and go double pinstripe. 

Tonal dressing is going nowhere, and this brown ensemble is the perfect example of how elegant it can look.

For colder days, I’ll be copying Fanny Ekstrand’s slouchy blazer, midi skirt and chunky boots. Just finish with a white roll-neck. 

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Up Next: 8 Lazy Spring Outfits That Don’t Look Lazy

Author Joy Montgomery | Whowhatwear
Selected by CWC