Opposites Attract: Easy Summer Outfit With a Structured Blazer and Relaxed Trousers
Style is so often a balancing act. None of us are wholly one thing or another, and that often flows through to our style preferences. And it’s how we combine these disparate elements that creates a very individual and personal style. I’m very much about ease this season, but need to balance relaxed pieces with some structure to feel neat and put-together. I think this outfit with a summer blazer and linen trousers achieved that balance quite well.
Polished casual summer outfit with a seersucker blazer
BRACELET (c/o) | PANTS | SANDALS (SIMILAR)
My sizes: Jacket – 6, Top – XS, Pants – Petite S
I’ve admired the quality and design of Veronica Beard blazers for some years now, but most of the styles I tried were just too long for me, or a bit too sharp and structured. But when I saw this shorter style with ruched sleeves in a light seersucker fabric, it just ticked all of the boxes! The blazer runs slightly small to true-to-size (depending how wide your shoulders are). If you want a more relaxed fit, size up. Also available in blue & white stripe here.
The longer necklace and bracelet are from the new French Kande “Concorde” collection, and were gifted. One of the things I’ve always loved about French Kande is how the pieces blend a classic and feminine sensibility with a more natural and relaxed (or edgy) vibe. (Again, that balance!) The medallion pendants are made from authentic vintage French medallions that Kande collects from various marchés aux puces in Paris and other areas of France.
The stones in both pieces are Labradorite, cut with facets that catch the light in a lovely way. The necklace also features bevel-mounted Austrian crystals. All FK pieces are made to order, right here in Los Angeles. So I asked to have the bracelet made shorter to accommodate my small wrists.
BRACELET (c/o) | PANTS | SANDALS (SIMILAR)
Of course the blazer works beautifully with jeans. But I wanted to try mixing it up with some other pants styles for a more relaxed summer outfit. These wide leg linen trousers add just the right amount of “laid-back” so that I feel like myself.
These are the Eileen Fisher linen wide leg pants, which I think are going to get a lot of use this summer. They’re really comfortable and easy to style. I love the fluidity of the fabric that moves when I walk. The color is a bit darker than it appears in these images, here’s a more accurate representation.
More summer blazers
What makes your outfits feel balanced? Are there elements you struggle to incorporate?
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I have to say this is probably the best and most cohesive outfit you’ve styled yet. It would flatter many body types and “seasons” in its neutrality. Very nice!
Thanks very much, Leanne!
Love the seersucker in an unexpected color as well as the clean lines. I think the VB blazers with the Sgt. Pepper buttons look costumey and busy. I think we petites look great with some structure up top. I will be wearing those pants today in Agean with crisp white on top. Too hot for a blazer here in the midwest!
Thanks, Shari!
Love, love, love this outfit and these colors!
Thanks, Mary!
One of your best, Susan. You look absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks so much, Andrea!
I love that outfit! The pants are perfect on you.
I’ve decided that blazers are rarely my style, or should I say lifestyle! That leaves me struggling sometimes with finding a top with good proportions to go with wide legged pants.
I have a cute, oversized pair of striped cotton carpenter pants by Emerson Fry, that are fun this summer. We went to a concert in the park, and I pulled out a very old trick. I pulled the pant leg into a tuck at the bottom, and gave it a few folds to shorten the length. I think we called it pegging the leg? It stayed put, and felt just right with flat sandals in the grass.
Thanks Lisa! You might try a cropped shirt like this one: https://bit.ly/3KYGfWv worn open over a tank or tee. Roll up the sleeves
Gorgeous outfit, Susan, thanks for the inspiration!
xx
Great, great look! I love it on you. I’ve eyed Veronica Beard blazers but something always put me off. When I read “too sharp” I thought that’s it! Very helpful, thx.
You’ve worn/shown so many wonderful outfits with sneakers. Love the look but I really struggle to make sneakers work for me. I’ve tried (and returned!) numerous pairs…regular, platform, chunkier, etc. all comfortable so fit’s not an issue. And I’ve tried with various style of jeans and pants. I just always feel wrong, off, not me. Any thoughts?
You are not alone with the tennis shoes! I’ve also tried and sent back so many different styles – they just don’t feel like me. The only thing I feel comfortable in is the plain white Keds I wore in high school, and those just aren’t supportive enough anymore!
Susan: another great outfit! I fudged around putting together a lunch outfit—I seem to go monochromatic or all the same value quite a bit. For the chocolate brown linen EF pants I was thinking a brown silk top (quince)with the EF brown linen tunic seemed like it might be good to try
I LOVE your posts, Susan. Thank you.
The sunglasses you are wearing in today’s post are fabulous for a fellow “spring” woman. Would you be willing to share information about them?
Thank you!
Hi Jan, thanks so much. These are by SEE Eyewear, color is “Peach.” https://seeeyewear.com/products/see-5650?variant=40160739065944
I love this outfit!
Greetje
thanks so much, Greetje!
In your photos I had trouble with the seam on the pants was it a front seam? A side seam? Went to the EF site and it looks like the pant leg is made in three parts with an off side front seam and another off side back seam. Not my colours or style ( hard no to blazers) and I’d shorten the pants as shown in the EF site to wear with flat sandals but a cute look. EF linen pants always look good on.
Great Look!
Thanks, Sandra!