The Long Long of It

As Angie says, long blazers are EVERYWHERE. 

Gryffin, this is your year! Go for it! I even saw a very 80s version of long over lean at Aritzia -- long blazer with mini skirt. Not up to your quality standards, but I am betting there is a version somewhere for you! 

There is no store without racks and racks of (usually menswear check) long jackets, mostly double breasted (but not all), some screaming fun fun FUN and some more business sober.  

My eye has adjusted, and even though it can be a tough look for me to wear due to my own proportions—and I cringe when I look back at my 80s photos in those really oversized jackets with the big shoulder pads— I'm ready to give the contemporary version a whirl. Trendy classic is not my moniker for nothing. 

Yesterday between my dentist and hair appointments, I had some time for sleuthing. First stop, a local consignment shop where last year I got my Pink Tartan herringbone jacket. 

First try on, a Sandro double breasted jacket in a sort of taupe/grey plaid. Colours don't reproduce all that well here -- sorry. It was a size 40, which is probably a size or even 2 sizes big for me, but then again, the Paul Smith is a 40, so you just never know. It did feel a bit more than oversized (long sleeves, shoulders just on the edge of being too big) but it wasn't horrible. 

Then, a Smythe jacket. I think the previous owner stretched it out in weird ways...it felt permanently rumpled or something. I wouldn't buy it but it was fun to try it. 

Finally, post-haircut, another Sandro, this season's. This one is size 36 and seemed to fit perfectly, so who knows. I have to confess, I have MAJOR SUGAR EYE for houndstooth. In the 80s I owned a houndstooth jacket that basically defined the last few years of that decade for me. I adored it. I think I've even posted a photo of it on the forum in the archives somewhere. Will hunt it out. In the meantime, here's today's updated version. Thoughts? 

No styling of these since I just threw them on top of my shorts. 

Of course, this jacket is more than 3 times the price of the consignment jacket. So there is that. And I don't actually *need* another jacket, either. But that is a separate discussion, right? :) 

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20 Comments

  • Susie replied 5 years ago

    Enabler checking in because I LOVE houndstooth too!

  • Cardiff girl replied 5 years ago

    I like the Houndstooth best on you too.With long line jackets I think it’s about finding one whose proportions suit you.The middle one looks too long for you and the first one too big.

  • Jenn replied 5 years ago

    I like the Smythe best, but do see what you mean about the rumpled look. The other two both look too big to my eye.

  • MsMaven replied 5 years ago

    The last jacket is fabulous on you. 

  • rachylou replied 5 years ago

    I really like length on you... it occurs to me pairing long with the shorts is actually great... the structure that adds. Agree the first was definitely big, but the length was great! The houndstooth is zazzy, not to enable or anything :)

  • Jenni NZ replied 5 years ago

    Another houndstooth lover here. Looks out of sight better than the other two. Sorry about the price!

  • smittie replied 5 years ago

    I like the Sandro the best. Very sharp.
    I actually don't mind the Smythe, but I'll take your word for it that it's stretched out.
    The first jacket seems slightly too big, yes.

  • Murph11 replied 5 years ago

    I wonder if the Smythe jacket would be a winner after dry-cleaning. That said, I also LOVE the houndstooth -- it looks most like a Suz piece..

  • Sal replied 5 years ago

    I do like the last one. I think a well cut blazer is a piece where spending is justified. It is a statement in pattern and being longer in length - do you see it having longevity. If so I think it is great on you.

  • RobinF replied 5 years ago

    Wow these bring back the 80's for me! I think I had a jacket just like the last one and loved it. Definitely my favorite on you!

  • Suz replied 5 years ago

    Don't they truly bring back the 80s? 

    Interesting thought about the Smythe maybe being fixable with cleaning. I don't think so, though -- this is a pretty good consignment shop and I think they clean before putting items on the floor. But honestly -- and ironically! -- the quality wasn't there with that one. 

    Thanks for all the enabling. I can't really justify the cost on this item at the moment, but I will consider it. It's possible The Bay will put it on sale a bit later in the year. There were at least 2 in my size on the floor in the store -- a sign it might not sell out in my size really quickly. I wouldn't tire of it and unless long blazers are a passing fad I'd be wearing it for 5 years at least. It's a bit more classic in style anyway, not being double breasted or truly oversized. 

  • Suz replied 5 years ago

    Oh, and Rachy, didn't Angie pair long jackets with an a-line skirt in a recent blog post? That's similar to these long shorts, really.
    https://youlookfab.com/2019/05.....r-fabness/

  • Helena replied 5 years ago

    Oooh too bad about the condition of the middle one because it looks SO good on you - however, you've got a collection of winners here, so more enablement from me :)

  • replied 5 years ago

    Long blazers are my jam, and I'm loving what I'm seeing in stores this fall. In fact, I love it so much I all-of-a-sudden have 4 plaid blazers. Oops. I'll have to return one of them , at least .  

    I quite your houndstooth, and it looks great on you, I agree.  Wait and see - with the Bay, it should show up on some sale or another soon enough.  

  • gryffin replied 5 years ago

    Suz - there I was in from 2005-2016 crying in my hummus for the dearth of long jackets.  My long blazers from AT in the 90's were literally falling apart.  Each had been relined and were well past a dignified retirement.  I was reduced to scrounging light weight toppers and EF swing coats lamenting their loss.  When lo - MIchael Kors Collection came out with several iterations but at over 1.6 K they were not an option.  I too had an AT B&W houndtooth equestrian blazer with black velvet collar that was so beloved and well worn that the velvet on the neck started to bleach and turn red.  When I saw the jacket below, I knew that it had been made expressly for me.  It was that perfect.  But I was resigned to its loss as that price is well beyond my comfort zone.  Miraculously, months later I stumbled across it, in my size, at NM online reduced to under $300.  Sold.  2017 was a good year, the James Perse at NAS, Everlane did their boyfriend jacket in herringbone, glen plaid and black, Rebecca Minkoff came out with her Merilee blazer.  Added to that were the Theory Selata blazers I had been able to find on amazon.  I added the Theory velvet blazer last year and the R&B quincey tuxedo blazer.  With my toppers and EF swing coats I now have an arsenal of 17 work blazers so I can picky but need to continue to selectively stockpile for the famine to come.  Currently I'm on a VB jag.  Her jackets are regular length 28" to me, but many fabbers consider this long.  The unique part is the cutaway styling, which is a hewi.  I cannot afford Balmain, who does the definitive renditions, but these are a wonderful substitute to consider.

    I really like your first Sandro, although I agree that jacket looks too big and double breasted is difficult to wear, but I actually really like it on you.  The Smythe is a tough length, I'd guess 35"  underlayers are challenging and the fit is off.  Love the Sandro houndstooth, as you can guess hugh thumbs up from me.  That looks to be 28" which I consider a normal length, but I understand that it's long compared to the length you favor.  I think it's incredibly flattering and I think houndstooth is so elegant and goes so beautifully with almost everything!!  Fantastic score!!

  • Angie replied 5 years ago

    I hereby crown you Queen Blazer. There isn't a blazer you can't wear. 

    LOVE the haircut - you have never looked better, sweet Suz

    Go Team '80s. The houndstooth blazer is mega fun! And fab with your new PG "Docs" :)

  • Suz replied 5 years ago

    Angie, I'm blushing. And thanks for the Find. 

    YES, I thought of wearing with the Paul Greens for sure. In addition to long jackets, Doc Martens are everywhere in the stores. I love my lighter weight version. 

    Gryffin, that's the best collection of long jackets ever! I'm going to have to go back and examine some of your Finds in more detail. You have curated your collection so very well but I insist that if you find a good one this year, you must buy in view of the coming drought. 

    I think the houndstooth Sandro is probably 30" although they don't say. Anyway, even 28" is quite long on short me. It's all relative, right?  I think my Reiss is 26" or so and it more than covers my bum. That's about my longest jacket right now.  It works because of the nipped in waist -- it's all a question of proportion in these things. I often wear more cropped versions, as you know. But I do like the longer jackets, too. There's no jacket I don't like, really! 

    Interesting the love that the Smythe gets. Honestly, it was a bit of a mess and I think it the tag had not said Smythe the shop would have been loathe to take it on! But the Sandro (the first one) was in great condition and less than $150 vs. the $600 of the Houndstooth. As LisaP said, the Bay does have sales and sometimes quite early in the season. So I'm watching it. :)

  • Jaime replied 5 years ago

    Wow! Mind spinning because I am confused by my own reaction relative to everyone else. My first impression was the first, slightly over-sized one is my favorite. Then I have to check myself, because I may be overly influenced by a bunch of fashion people I look at that are very into oversized looks. I also love houndstooth and that one is certainly gorgeous on you. Of course better lighting and new, gorgeous, haircut helps too. The Smythe seems off. Mentally reviewing my closet of big, long jackets now :) .

  • Brooklyn replied 5 years ago

    I like the houndstooth the best too. Sharp! The first one looks the most trendy but I think it’s quite a hard style to wear open and the most likely to date. I like the second one too but I think the colour and texture is a little dull on you. That may just be the light of course.

  • gryffin replied 5 years ago

    Suz - as long as you are exploring the rabbit hole, I thought you might consider an alternate silhouette.  When I could not find long blazers per se, I began exploring long toppers.  Particularly the KS Franny coat and I have an EF silk dot jacquard swing coat, they are dress light "lady coats" but they function extremely well as blazers and dressy toppers.  The AT snow leopard has more seasonal restrictions with the b&w woven topper because the fabrics are heavier, they are just starting to return to rotation now.  The NYDJ topper gets special mention because it's all season and one of the biggest work horses in the arsenal.  This style does not seem to get a lot of love but it's versatility make it worth of a try on if you see something like it.  Just a thought!!  Also if you are looking at full price sandro, check out veronica beard - her jackets have the best waist shaping out there and might do it for you.  They do go on sale but you must pounce when that happens!  Good luck on the hunt!!

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