Girl Got *Flare!

3 Ways to Style a Suit for Off-Duty Chic

Part II: The Blazer and Jeans, with a 70s Twist

In my last post, I explored the use of the suit trousers from this current-season Zara ivory-coloured suit to style a subtle but sexy date night. Having already styled the suit together formally [click here if you missed it], this time, I’m taking the jacket and pairing it with high-waisted flared jeans for a nod to the 70s trend that was all over the S/S20 catwalks.

Lunch Date with [the Original] Charlie’s Angels!

70s style can conjure fear in the heart of many a 40-something! There were dodgy patterns and scarily static fabrics aplenty, not to mention hand-me-downs and sickly colours. But like most things, time heals, and now, when I look back at 70s fashion, I can appreciate the glamour and sass of it all with fresh eyes: Studio 54; the rise of feminism and more female heads of state; funk, disco and the early days of hip hop.

The Flared Jean is a remnant of the decade that has been revised and relaunched many a time. It’s one of the more flattering cuts for a woman with hips, as it balances out proportions. When applied to a high-waisted style, in a structured, not overly stretchy denim, with a thigh-skimming shape, this look doesn’t just evoke the decade of disco, it invites us to step back in time and dwell there for a stylish New York minute!

But this is only ever intended as a nod to the era. Not a costume drama! All the pieces I’ve used to style this look are modern-day, if a few years old. As ever, it’s all in the details - I’ve picked a colour palette that isn’t typically 70s. There’s a touch of 70s glamour in the multi-coloured, Missoni bag and D&G tan leather, platform slingbacks. The effect is subtle, not overt - the round graduated sunglasses. The craftsy beads and pinned back hair. And the crop top is only allowed out to play because the jeans are high-waisted!