The Best Thing in My Fall Wardrobe? A Suede Blazer. Here’s How I Style It

There’s something so ‘70s about a suede blazer, which makes it feel straight out of Ali MacGraw’s wardrobe in Love Story, or Jane Fonda’s in Klute. To play up its retro vibe, I love donning it with short, fitted knits and high-waisted flare jeans. Here, I’ve even worked in one of this season’s big color trends: chartreuse, a bright green that can be difficult to style, but works beautifully with the deep brown of the jacket. To bring it all together, I opt for a matching brown (faux) suede bag (mine is an East-West number from JW Pei).

A little bit hippie, a little bit Old West, slinky, vintage-looking slip dresses (especially those with lace accents) reigned supreme at New York Fashion Week and are showing no signs of fading out anytime soon. Lucky for me, I have a healthy collection of the style, and it goes great with the oversized fit and contrasting texture of a structured suede blazer. I give it a slightly more modern bohemian touch by pairing it with sleek black leather accessories, like boots and a slouchy shoulder bag.

For a deliciously Americana aesthetic that’s equal parts laid-back and refined, you can’t go wrong layering suede over a white button-down and jeans. It’s very Ralph Lauren core, particularly when the top is tucked in just so, and everything is tied together with a brown leather belt. Chic, classic and a deceptively simple way to elevate a casual fit.

One of my favorite ways the fashion crowd has been wearing their lace skirts lately is paired with a loose graphic T-shirt. It gives the girly piece some edge, and when you throw a suede blazer on top, adds an unexpected dash of polish. To make the mismatched look feel more intentional, I finish it off with sleek kitten slingbacks in a light metallic finish that plays well with the white of my outfit.

Heavy on the academia vibes, this preppy ensemble just screams Rory Gilmore. The relaxed varsity sweater, pleated plaid skirt and loafers are ready for campus, while the luxe suede suggests it’s a New England Ivy League. The brown in the skirt is a key detail here, as it creates a visually cohesive look that feels so warm and autumnal, while its leggy length distracts from the oversized silhouette of the outerwear. (For a petite gal like moi, oversized blazers and mini skirts are a match made in proportional heaven.)

Nothing is more chic or effortless than a monochrome look, IMO, and rather than go for my usual head-to-toe black, I’ve been opting instead for all-gray-everything. The charcoal coloring looks so sophisticated against the brown hue, and I’m all about the melding of rich, cozy fabrics, like the chunky cable knit of my sweater and supple suede of my jacket. To keep the color palette especially sleek, I’ve matched my tote to the blazer, so it’s brown and gray across the board. If this look doesn’t win you the ‘Best-Dressed Employee of the Month’ award, I don’t know what will.

Suede on suede? Don’t mind if I do. I’m obsessed with this (faux) suede pinafore dress that, styled with a black turtleneck and knee-high boots, would look just as suitable in a smoky beatnik cafe as it would in a British manor house between horse rides. (Like I said, I like pieces with a style personality as vast and varied as my own.) And throwing the matching blazer on top only serves to heighten its horse girl (and/or finger-snapping) aesthetic. Plus, doubling up on the same fabric is such an easy way to look—and feel—super put-together.