Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Taught Me 4 Genius Ways to Style a Blazer
Instagram is easily one of the places where I find most fashion inspiration. More than anything else, Instagram inspires me by introducing me to new brands and new ways of styling pieces I already have in my closet. Not only is it an instant way to see what fashion insiders are wearing across the globe, but it also provides access inside the wardrobes of celebs.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is one celeb whose style I personally identify with, so I’m constantly looking to the outfits she posts on Instagram. While she has a closet brimming with covetable pieces from Bottega Veneta, she also mixes in affordable pieces from Zara like the bodysuit that went viral last year. On top of that, many of her looks are built around wardrobe staples, so her Instagram is a gold mine for cool styling tips to make basics like a blazer feel fresh. Here, I’m test-driving four of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s genius blazer outfits. Go on to see my take on her chic looks.
Outfit 1: Paired with knee-high boots
A year ago, I may have worn an oversize blazer with heels, but by adding a pair of knee-high boots it instantly feels like a fresher way to style it. They add a sense of sleekness to the pieces layered underneath, which is something I immediately picked up on from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's outfit here.
Like RHW, I mixed shades of brown and black but opted for a turtleneck in place of a T-shirt. This look has proven to be one of my most-worn office outfit formulas that I rely on again and again when I can't figure out what to wear.
Shop the look:
I promise an oversize blazer is a must, so add one to your shopping cart if you haven't already.
Here's the bag I use practically every single day (snapped in the photo above).
Outfit 2: Add a bra top
Yes, pantsuits can easily transition to the evening with a few easy styling tweaks. I love how RHW added a bra top underneath hers here. Lingerie-inspired pieces and bra tops will be one of the biggest trends for spring 2020, and this is a very wearable way to try it out.
I took inspiration from RHW's look, adding a bandeau top underneath one of my favorite pantsuits. While I would normally wear this to the office with a T-shirt, switching it out for a bra top makes it read as nighttime-ready.
Shop the look:
The pantsuit I'm wearing is sold out, but I have my eye on this one from up-and-coming brand Remain Birger Christensen.
Here, shop the matching pants.
Outfit 3: Wear a matching skirt suit set
If you're looking for an alternative to the pantsuit, trying a matching skirt suit set. This exact version is still available to shop ahead.
Shop the look:
Act quickly to order the Tibi set RHW wore that's on sale now.
Porte & Paire is a cool new shoe brand on my radar that would be perfect to pair with this look.
I always look to Brinker & Eliza for great affordable jewelry finds.
Outfit 4: All black with a tan blazer
If you're looking for a way to make an all-black outfit feel a little cooler, simply add a tan blazer like RHW.
Proving that one blazer can work in different ways, I wore the jacket from my skirt suit set for the look here—this time, layered over a simple all-black look.
RHW wore split hem pants in her looks, so I'll be trying these out next time.
I have similar rings that I stack on the regular but have my eye on this stunning piece.
Next, shop my spring shopping picks from Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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