J. Crew Regent jewel collar blazer
Blazer, J. Crew; blouse, J. Crew Factory; pants, Banana Republic; shoes, Ferragamo (via consignment); bag. MbMJ

Bona fide cute outfit alert. I loved this, you guys. It’s way too casual to count as business formal, but the reality is that, 99% of the time, my job doesn’t really require that much formality anyway. And I’m okay with that if it means I can wear cute things like this. A friend of mine called this “old English professor chic” on Instagram, and then texted to assure me that she liked the outfit. And I was, like, “Are you serious?” Because “old English professor” is totally a compliment in my books. All I’m missing is the elbow patches and the accent.

I did compensate with a wagon-load of bling, most of it on my collars. What’s the consensus on non-matching bling? Wait, don’t tell. It doesn’t matter. I’ll never not love this whole damn outfit. Cheerio!

J. Crew Regent jewel collar blazer
bling on bling

35 Comments on Double the Bling

  1. I am DYING over this blazer! I forgot all about it until I saw you wearing it and now I’m smitten all over again. And super jealous. Must. Find. Blazer. This outfit is wonderful and that lip color is a beauty! Perfection!

    • Thank you 🙂

      I really lucked out finding this blazer in the store in the end, because eBay prices were ridick. I hope you have better luck than me!

  2. You were my inspiration this weekend when I went shopping. I bought two pair of ankle pants all because you make them look so professional and current. I’m not sure that I can pull them off as well as you do, but I’m pretty darn happy with myself for changing my wardrobe up a little.

    • That’s great! I really hope they work for you.

      Personally, I find that the important thing is where they hit on your ankle – too low or too high, and the proportions are off. For example, I prefer the way that BR Sloan pants in Petite look on me, even though I’m regular height (my legs are probably a little short). Try them with different outfits, and see if you like how they look; if you’re not 100% sold, you may want to try different inseams (such as petite if you’re on the shorter side like me, or tall if you’re an Amazon ;))

      Let me know how it goes!

  3. This entire outfit is excellent. The red shoes really finish it off, and I love that blazer. Wish I could wear blazers like this but I am quite an apple and very top-heavy. They never look right on me (which sucks because I am a lawyer and often need to wear suits).

    • Thanks! Finding a good blazer is always difficult, because the fit has to be just right, so I feel your pain. Are there any brands/styles you’ve had success with?

  4. Gosh I want you to come shopping with me and help me find things like this blazer. I would NEVER pick it up on the rack, but OMG I need it in my life. This outfit would be amazing for a day of meetings and is definitely businessy enough for me. Love it!

    • LOL! Shopping for other people (or helping them shop) is awesome – guilt-free browsing. It’s too bad none of you guys live close by ..

  5. I love every piece of this stellar ensemble! The proportions are excellent though it helps that you have such a lovely figure. That jacket!!!! There is something so timeless and professorial about the textile but the shape and details make it far from “old” english prof. In my experience, you would be the coolest and best dressed prof on campus wearing that!

    • oh wow, I’m so flattered! I have a lot of affection for academia – in another life, I would have loved to be a professor – so that’s a really nice compliment 🙂

  6. The whole outfit is gorgeous, the bling is perfect, and the favorite detail is the bright red lipstick with the red shoes! Brava!!!

    • Thank you – I love your eye for colour and overall aesthetic, so this is a huge compliment.

      (And sorry about the time lag … your comment was stuck in my spam filter, which seems to be happening a lot lately. Will have to investigate.)

  7. I am on the hunt for the perfect natural-ish cherry/red matte lipstick. And you may just be wearing it! Can you share what brand and colour that is?

    • The colour I’m wearing here is Rimmel Color Rush in The Redder the Better. I am obsessed with Rimmel Color Rush lip crayons (I’ve blawged about them endlessly, LOL!) and they are really awesome for the price. I wouldn’t call it a matte though.

      If the matte is a “must” for you, perhaps take a look at NYX matte lipglosses; I tried a nude colour once and liked the feel/look of it – I’m sure they must have a red you could take a look at. Also, I believe the Flower (Drew Barrymore’s brand) has a line of matte lip crayons. For a bit more $$, Stila Stay All Day liquid lipstick in Beso used to be my go-to before Rimmel – it’s matte-ish, but I found the application more difficult. It’s very saturated though, and has decent lasting power. The Rimmel crayon I use now is a little bit more sheer (although still quite saturated) and slightly less lasting power, but it’s much better value given that it’s a fraction of the price.

  9. I love the blazer. Tweed has a special place I my Anglophile heart…along with a good cuppa, beans on toast, Yorkshire puddings, and Jane Austen. I want me some tweed…and maybe even elbow patches now.

    I like the pant length. Looks good! I’m also a shorter legged person and I prefer the slightly above the ankle look for my little stumps 😉

    • I’m with you on the Anglophilia (not on Yorkshire puddings though) … and the short leggedness. The insult to that injury is that I’m technically above average height; I just have short legs. And yet, I never have enough leg room on airplanes. Bah!

    • Thank you 🙂

      (P.S. I apologize for not responding sooner, but your comment was also stuck in my spam queue. I’m not sure what is going on.)

      (P.P.S. I’m not going to fangirl too much, but you are adorable, and I really enjoy your blog.)

    • Actually, I feel like this is something you would wear too? Am I way off? I think our style intersect in some ways, and this is one of them.

  12. I adore this. And I read it as “Old English” professor, not “old” English professor. Beowulf, anyone?

    I am trying to find a good blazer for me. My style is not tailored whatsoever (remember I’m a yoga instructor), so it needs to be very comfortable and stretchy or I feel claustrophobic. Likely needs to be ponte. In the meantime, I’ll just live vicariously through you and your awesome tweedy bling.

    • Hahahaha! That could work, although I think my specialization would more likely be Comparative lit.

      Hmmm, stretchy comfortable blazer … I definitely think ponte is your best bet (try Old Navy or Gap, they tend to stock them more often), although something like my Silence & Noise floral blazer might also work. It’s not ponte, but the fabric is very slouchy/soft, and combined with the relaxed fit, it’s not straight-jacket-like at all.

  13. I think you may have combined all of my favorite items of yours in one outfit! Love it! I have been trying to find this blazer on sale in my size forrrrever, attempting to catch it when it pops back. A size 4 popped back in my store but I think I’d need two of those sewn together to fit me haha

    • Good luck! That’s how I managed to snag mine – totally unexpected. It was worth the wait though, even if it’s a little boxier than my usual blazer style, because it has such personality, you know?

  14. I wear dresses/skirts every single day because I hate pants haha … but this is seriously making me want to try ankle pants! Will have to check out BR sometime. 😀

  17. Layering the two blingy collars together is pretty cool! I didn’t realize that the blazer had an embellished collar when you first posted about it, but that definitely makes the blazer extremely cool.

    I like your earrings too, and I think its a fun look when paired with the embellished sparkly collars.

    • Thanks 🙂 The bling collar is what attracted me to it in the first place (because I’m a magpie), but I’ve grown really fond of the textile/material/print now.

  18. What a fabulous outfit! The proportions of the blazer and pants are spot on. Plus your hair and shoes are super cute. Bellissima 🙂