January might be over (finally) but it’s still a trudge to the start of spring. What you, and your wardrobe, need is a mid- season pick-me-up. My recommendation? A pastel blazer. Maybe it seems too early to crack out sugared-almond shades but, trust me, you won’t find a better mood-lifter.
The pastel blazer got several shout-outs on the S/S ’20 catwalks. Altuzarra’s icicle blue version came with exaggerated lapels and a matching cardigan, while Jacquemus’, shown on a hot pink catwalk that wound its way through a French lavender field, came in pistachio and strawberry sorbet. Even Hedi Slimane, master of tough, cool-girl glamour, got the memo: Celine’s single- breasted vanilla blazer made the perfect partner to bootcut jeans.
What this signals is that two of spring’s biggest trends – suiting and perky shades – are happily colliding, and there’s clearly an appetite for both. The shopping app LikeToKnowIt reported a 3,600% increase in searches for pink suits after Lil Nas X, Tyler The Creator and Shawn Mendes all chose them for last week’s Grammy Awards.
‘Tailoring is a key investment for us this season, as well as pastels,’ says Browns’ head of womenswear Heather Gramston. ‘We’ve also seen a shift towards softer, more fluid shapes that work really well in pastel colourways.’
The best news is that there are plenty of delectable options in the high-street-to- mid-range bracket, including Heather’s favourites, Remain, Matériel, Brogger and Bernadette.
De La Vali has another perfect example of the genre, with its Cinderella shade of blue and belt-cinched waist. Although it’s part of a three-piece suit, founders Jana Sascha and Laura Castro say it’s also ideal for off-duty. ‘We love styling the blue pastel blazer with a roll neck and faded Levi’s for a casual daytime look.’
The tailoring brand Racil has a double-breasted powder pink blazer, the Archie, that will instantly cheer up your morning. ‘It has a sense of freshness,’ agrees founder Racil Chalhoub, ‘and gives your outfit a lift.’ Massimo Dutti’s wool-blend blazer is perfect for slipping under a coat until March, while & Other Stories’ oversized sage version just needs a chunky polo neck. Whichever you choose, life will be sweeter.
SHOP: The Best Pastel Blazers
SHOP: The best pastel blazers
1 of 8& Other Stories, Wool-Blend Oversized Blazer, £165
2 of 8De La Vali, Hawkins Belted Woven Blazer, £650
3 of 8Gabriela Hearst, Angela Double-Breasted Blazer, £1,250
4 of 8Remain, Double-Breasted Linen Blazer, £270
5 of 8Racil, Archie Double-Breasted Wool-Twill Blazer, £775
6 of 8Massimo Dutti, Hand-Knit Double-Breasted Wool Blazer, £169
7 of 8Toteme, Matera Double-Breasted Crepe Blazer, £520
8 of 8Arket, Oversized Wool-Blend Blazer, £135
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