Written by New York Personal Stylist, Kerry.

Blazers have come a long way in the past few decades. Thankfully, the fashion world has relinquished its affinity for shoulder pads and boxy, double-breasted styles. We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief and set our sights on some of the more attractive options available to us. 

          Incidentally, the blazer has carved a path for itself outside of the career track. Blazers are now a popular option not only for work, but for a night out or even just a casual Saturday. As their popularity increases, more and more playful options are popping up in stores making it difficult to decide which ones are worth an investment for the long haul and which ones are going to have a shorter lifespan than those aforementioned shoulder pads.

Blazers are an ideal layering piece making them a perfect staple for cooler weather. They can help transition an outfit from day to night and the right fabric and cut can help take office-wear to date-wear. Every woman should have the perfect black, staple blazer hanging in her closet. Once you have that covered, it’s time to venture into unchartered statement blazer territory.

If you’re debating investing in a great statement blazer, here are a few rules of engagement to help you in your search:

1) ASSESS YOUR CURRENT CLOSET Go through what you already own to make sure you aren’t on the hunt for an item that’s already hanging in your closet. Also take a look at your basic staple blazers to see if they need a refresh. It is important to understand what you have, what you’re missing and what you really need.

2) SET A BUDGET Only you can know what type of investment your bank account can support. Set a budget and stick to it so you don’t get sidetracked by the bright shiny objects that will max out your credit cards. It is always possible to find a splurge at a steal price with the right amount of research.

3) FOCUS ON FIT FIRST The key to making any item look expensive is to aim for an impeccably tailored fit. Conversely, expensive items can seem cheap if they fit poorly. Try on several different brands, sizes and cuts to make sure you find the best option for you. Make sure you have enough room in the shoulders for movement and in the arms to fit a long-sleeve shirt underneath.

4) DON’T UNDERESTIMATE DISCOUNT STORES Some of the best finds are hiding out at your local discount stores like Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls and TJ Maxx. Sifting through rack after rack at a discount store is significantly less overwhelming when searching for one specific item. Designer items tend to have better tailoring, too. 

5) CONSIDER STATEMENT FABRICS, NOT JUST PRINTS Prints are the most obvious choice for a statement blazer. However, fabrics can make a statement, too! Leather is a must-have this Fall and winter. Rock the trend with a leather-sleeved or trimmed blazer. Velvet, brocade and houndstooth are a few other options to explore. 

Here are a few of my favorite options for statement blazers:

Anne Klein Sequin Blazer

         JCrew Plaid Blazer

                          DKNY Mixed Media Faux Leather Blazer 

Dolce Vita Striped Blazer