Plus Size Suede Blazers for Women

Why it Is so Versatile

When the weather's cooling down, it's nice to put on a hoodie and snuggle up with your significant other. Unfortunately, real life intrudes. Hoodies don't complement everything and they're rarely acceptable at work. That's where the plus size suede blazer comes into play. It's light enough for wearing during those days when it's not quite time to pull out the wool peacoat (or when someone forgot to tell the person in charge of the thermostat at work that, hey, it's time for the air conditioner to be off).

The structure of the blazer makes it flattering to all shapes and sizes, and solid colored blazers can be slimming. Blazers also dress up everything from a black pencil skirt to blue jeans, so you can wear them to work or out to shop. Add to that the wide range of colors in which blazers are available, and you have a definite winner. You could stock your closet full of blazers and still have a hard time getting burned out on the look as long as you got creative with their wear (hooray for accessories!).

Blazers are also timeless. They're not going out of style any time soon. You can feel comfortable buying more than one since they're not trendy items, but classics.

Finding Plus Size Suede Blazers for Women

You can generally find plus size blazers for women at any department store. To find something so specific as suede blazers will take a little more research though you may luck up at your local mall. Here are a few to consider online in the meantime:

• The Washable Suede Jacket from OneStopPlus.com, available in Aubergine, Olive, Pumpkin and Mink.

• The Washable Suede First-Class Blazer from Travelsmith.com comes in Black, Chocolate and Desert.

• Anthracite Faux Suede Blazer from Sierra Trading Post comes in dark tan.

• Wilson's Leather has two available:
  • Suede 2 Button Blazer in Clay or Caramel
  • Suede Button Front Blazer in Caramel

How to Wear Them

A few guidelines for wearing plus size suede blazers for women:

• Please, please, please stay away from the shoulder pads. You could end up looking like a linebacker—not a sexy shopper or a bold businesswoman. Shoulder pads usually equal a look that was left in the 1980s dusty closet for a reason. They didn’t come back with the bright colors, leggings or big hair.

• If you're wearing a black blazer with black pants, try to add pops of color in other places—a camisole, a scarf knotted around your neck, earrings, etc. Otherwise, the black blazer and pants combo could look too severe.

• When you're wearing your blazer with jeans, don't slap on your grungy sneakers. Follow suit with a pair of heeled boots or loafers. Sneakers aren't dressy enough to keep up with your blazer, even if they help you to keep up with your kids or the latest and greatest sale at the mall.

• Blazers should hit about mid-hip or just below the hip. If they're too short, you'll look disproportionate and like your coat shrank in the wash. That length can also contribute to making you look bigger in the middle. Too long and you'll revisit the youthful days of hand-me-downs from your older, taller cousin. You may think the exceptionally long length helps hide trouble spots, but it's better to choose a well-fitted piece than one that drowns your body.

Also, make sure your jacket is fitted in the shoulders without straining or allowing extra material to bunch up or poke out.

• Don't be afraid of jewel tones. They're beautiful in the fall and winter and are more interesting than black, cream, gray, and navy. Jackets don't have to be drab.

• Putting on a matching cami underneath is a professional, streamlined look.

A Final Note

Plus size suede blazers can go with almost anything. The key to looking good in a blazer is to make sure it fits you well and to experiment with color to avoid looking too harsh or blah. Find your matches on the color palette (are you a cool? A warm? Spring or summer?) and play with those shades. You can build a whole work wardrobe around those colors and still use them for play.