The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Workwear on a Budget: The Statement Jacket



J. Crew's pricey but oh-so-pretty metallic bouclé houndstooth Clea jacket, $295

In addition to your basic black, gray and navy blazer, one amazing statement jacket in a rich, textured fabric or beautiful color - perhaps something with gorgeous buttons or trim - is the ideal way to stretch your work-wardrobe budget. It's a piece that will help you project a professional, polished and competent image while still maintaining a sense of your own personal style. Spend a little more on a jacket with a great fit and quality fabric, and you can wear it more than once a week and still look smart.

I recall a previous manager of mine who had a fabulous brocade blazer with a faux-fur trim in a rich tan color (it was way more subdued than it sounds, trust me), and even though she wore it all the time, she always looked perfectly chic. And, she could command everyone's attention whenever she walked into a room. (That jacket held the key to her power, I'm convinced of it.) Here, some options to help you dress for success...




Celery Tweed Jacket
at Anthropologie.com, $158


MICHAEL Michael Kors Kimono-Sleeve Belted Jacket at Macys.com, $159.50


REQ Tweed Jacket at Sears.com, Was $64 Now $37.99


Diane Von Furstenberg wool 'Basia' zip jacket at Bluefly.com, $279.00


Garland Boucle Jacket at Express.com, $118.00

Comments
I love all the alternatives you post. Somehow, by luck, I got the same exact pattern on a jacket from a thrift store. Its totally an 80s pattern. I've seen Express and H&M with similar items/patterns. No work jackets.
#1 The Baltimore Babe (Homepage) on 2008-09-29 08:24 (Reply)
I love blazers. I was gift a loud red/orange Issac Mizrahi jacket a few seasons ago and love to wear it with almost anything, especially lime green - it screams LISTEN TO ME.

Last season I found an orange tweed blazer on the clearance rack in Ross, but still haven't found the right blouse to wear underneath.

But my fav is my seafoam grey and gold blazer from Liz Claiborne paired with either cream slacks or my blueish grey silk shirt and gold sandals. The metallic sets the tone just right.
#2 TexNYQueen on 2008-09-29 08:29 (Reply)
i just spotted that top jcrew jacket for the first time this weekend and i'm officially obsessed. i think it's definitely worth it, but i might wait until there's a sale.
#3 Cupcakes and Cashmere (Homepage) on 2008-09-29 09:33 (Reply)
wow - that jcrew jacket is amazing. why does it have to be so expensive; for heaven's sake its just a jacket. thanks for the alternatives but my fave is the most expensive one of course.
#4 Beth B on 2008-09-29 10:17 (Reply)
All of the ladies who regularly leave you comments know my obsession with J.Crew. It's impossible to love clothes and not love J.Crew, because they do everything PERFECTLY! I assure you, the jacket will go on sale. When it does, it will just be a question of whether or not they carry your respective sizes. My advice is to visit your nearest J.Crew outlet. Unlike other outlet stores, the clothes featured in J.Crew outlets are not defective (The defective items are specially marked.) - They're simply items that have been returned. Prices run 20-30% less expensive than ordering or buying full-priced items, so check it out!
#5 Katie on 2008-09-29 12:05 (Reply)
Good tip, great picks. My statement jacket is a crazily floral velvet blazer I picked up at a consignment shop for $14. I adore it.
#6 Sal (Homepage) on 2008-09-29 12:09 (Reply)
We are on the smae wave-length today!! Wierd how that happens. I love them all!
#7 Real Style Real people (Homepage) on 2008-09-29 12:45 (Reply)
The jackets are all great, but WAY too expensive for me. I sew, and often find patterns reminiscent of the classic Chanel jackets Beyonce seems so fond of, so I can get these looks for under $30.
#8 Joann on 2008-09-29 13:23 (Reply)
I love them all! Well, maybe not so much the Sears one but it's not that bad although probably the last one I'd choose from all the other options presented here. I love the jackets from BCBG as well ^.^
#9 Ice Princess on 2008-09-29 13:54 (Reply)
I love this post as I always wonder what to wear for work. I am in IT and we tend to be more casual so I power suit around here is definately not the norm unless you're in sales and you have client meetings. But I still want to dress more properly since I am young(er) and I look young(er) and I sound young(er)... you get the picture? I think a jacket is the perfect complement to a pair of jeans, you can look casual but still properly dressed for work.
#10 Kay on 2008-09-30 15:18 (Reply)
I love them all! Marshalls had some great selections in store too.
#11 Psyche (Homepage) on 2008-10-01 19:57 (Reply)
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