A Gorgeous Cream Blazer Will Make Every Outfit Look Expensive
Six picks that would earn Olivia Pope’s seal of approval.
Have you ever gone back to a TV show you used to love and re-evaluated it with fresh eyes? That’s been me rediscovering Scandal in the past couple months. Back in the day, when my mum would save up episodes for me to binge while I was on break from uni, I was wholeheartedly – unashamedly - rooting for Olivia Pope and President Fitz’s on-again, off-again affair. These days, I think: my goodness, you two are toxic and insufferable. (And Republicans at that!) And how sorry I feel for poor Mellie.
What hasn’t changed, though, is how I feel about Olivia Pope’s unimpeachable outfits. In fact, I could probably trace my obsession with wearing white, off-white and cream – and my dry-cleaning expenditure over the years – back to her. To me, dressing in those shades is a shortcut to looking polished and crisp and elegant, no matter how high-maintenance and occasionally stress-inducing it can be. And in a professional setting, especially, it feels like a chic, summer-appropriate way to stand out from all the guys in their sad grey suits.
And so, this newsletter is dedicated to Olivia Pope The Workwear Style Icon (rather than Olivia Pope The Machiavellian Husband Stealer) and the delicious cream blazers that would earn her government seal of approval. Consider them an easy swap to make that will instantly level up your day-to-day office outfits in one fell swoop. Will you have to be a little more careful when tucking into your lunch? Yes. But is it worth the style payoff? Absolutely.
Malina
£350 (on sale for £175 at Selfridges or £210 on their website)
Malina is a Scandinavian womenswear brand that’s relatively new on my radar, having apparently invested a hefty amount into targeted Instagram ads. It’s worked, clearly, as I’ve been eyeing up a fair few of their pieces – and this blazer caught my eye for its sleek profile, overlap fastening and the fact it’s currently half price at Selfridges.
Victoria Beckham x Mango
I wrongly assumed Victoria Beckham x Mango was going to be a short-lived, limited-edition capsule that sold out over a weekend. Fortunately for us, there seems to still be plenty available online, including this sharp-shouldered blazer with that chic seam detail on the sleeves. Take this as an opportunity to buy into VB’s exquisite taste for a fraction of the usual price.
Shop here
The Frankie Shop
The Frankie Shop has so many divine cream blazers on its roster that I could’ve dedicated this entire newsletter to them. However if I had to narrow it down to just one, it would be the Emy. From the e-comm images, the fit seems exquisite (I tend to prefer my outerwear mannish and oversized, but I’d happily make an exception here). And the pleat detailing on the body is a fabulous touch.
Shop here
Studio Nicholson
£625 (on sale for £437.50)
If your style leans more tomboyish, and you’re a fan of Cos, then consider Studio Nicholson to be the next step on your style journey when you land that big promotion. I’ve become a real fan of these shorter lapels on blazers, recently – they can be a little awkward if you try to pair them with a poplin Oxford shirt, but they look great layered over a silky tank or tee.
Shop here
Nanushka
£925 (on sale for £465 at Nanushka and £450 at Farfetch)
If I had to cast my vote for just one piece from this edit, then this collarless Nanushka blazer would be it. As I mentioned, I’m a fan of the boxier, more oversized cuts with outerwear, but I also love how this comes with the quirky rope belt (which you can’t see in this image annoyingly) to give it a bit more shape. So luxe!
Rejina Pyo
This divine blazer encapsulates everything I love about Rejina Pyo. The cinched Dior-esque silhouette, the rounded shoulders, the supersized pearlescent buttons – she’s really the queen of creating sculptural, visually interesting pieces in the most wearable, feminine, I-must-have-it way.
Shop here