Style Decoded: How to Choose the Perfect Blazer
Why the best blazer for you depends on proportions, what you pair it with, and how you want to feel.
Note: This is the first edition of Style Decoded—a monthly deep dive for paid subscribers who want to understand not just what to wear, but why it works. I’m sharing this one with everyone, so you can get a feel for what’s coming.
Let me know if it resonates!
‘Hey Tina, what’s the best blazer?’
It’s a question I get all the time. And the real answer is: it depends.
That might sound like a stylist's cop-out, but it’s actually your invitation into something deeper. Because the best blazer isn’t a fixed item.
It shifts depending on:
What you're pairing it with
How you want to feel in the outfit
And what proportion, shape, or silhouette you're trying to balance
Let me show you what I mean.
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OPTION 1
If you’re wearing tapered pants or skinny jeans, an oversized blazer brings balance. The looseness on top softens the look and makes it feel relaxed, not rigid. It's contrast that looks effortless.
Option 2
If you’re styling a flowy dress or A-line skirt, reach for a tapered or structured blazer. That clean, sculpted shape reins it all in and helps the outfit feel polished, not floaty or unfinished.
The magic isn’t in the blazer itself. It’s in how it relates to the rest of your outfit.
Style isn’t just about pieces. It’s about proportions. And when you learn how to play with those proportions intentionally? That’s when outfits start feeling like you.
Try This: A Two-Outfit Challenge
Grab a blazer you already own.
Style it in two ways:
First, with something fitted or tapered on the bottom (e.g skinny leg or straight leg jeans)
Then, with something looser or flowy (e.g maxi skirt or flowy dress)
Which one feels more balanced? Which one feels more like you?
That little shift in awareness is where your style confidence begins.
Behind the paywall (but free this month!), you'll find:
A proportion masterclass: How to choose a blazer that works with your frame—whether you’re petite, have a fuller bust, broader shoulders, or want a softer midline.
The lines that flatter: Why curves, seams, and edges matter—and how to use them to shape your outfit intentionally.
This is where styling stops feeling like guesswork—and starts becoming self-trust in motion.
Before we get into it, gentle reminder that the tips below are not intended to be viewed as rules, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way.
Rather, these tips are tweaks to try if something feel a little off to you, or if you would like to try a new item but unsure where to start.
Ultimately, how we feel in our clothes will trump everything.
1. Proportions: How to Choose a Blazer That Works With You
Start here:
What part of your outfit feels out of balance?
What shape do you want to soften, sharpen, or define?
If you’re petite (under 163cm)
Look for blazers with structure but avoid excess fabric. Oversized can work if it's streamlined—shoulder seams should sit correctly, and sleeves may need to be rolled.
Showing a pop of skin is a great way to add balance and bring more of you into the outfit.
Pair with ankle-grazing bottoms or pointed shoes to elongate your line. Shoes that show the top of your foot is another way to bring balance.
Bigger bust?
Try single-breasted blazers with soft lapels and minimal chest-level detail. A slight V neckline underneath (tee or blouse) draws the eye down and breaks up volume up top.
Or, pair back with a neutral fitted top and let the rest of the outfit shine.
Broad shoulders or inverted triangle?
Balance up top volume by choosing pants or skirts that add width (e.g. wide leg, pleated, or A-line).
Rectangle or straight shape?
Play with structure + flow. A shaped blazer over flowy dresses adds polish, while padded shoulders create the illusion of more curves.
2. The Lines That Flatter
✔️ Shorter jackets = eye moves up = legs look longer
✔️ Longer jackets = draws eye down = adds vertical length to torso
✔️ Structured shoulders = sharpens your silhouette
✔️ Soft tailoring = makes oversized look feel luxe, not lazy
Key Takeaway
Use your blazer as a tool to draw the eye where you want it to go. The placement of seams, hems, or buttons creates new “lines” for the eye to follow—lines that shape the silhouette you want to express.
Style isn’t about getting it “right.” It’s about finding what feels right on you.
Whether it’s a blazer, a base layer, or something you’ve had hanging in your wardrobe for years—when you understand how to shape your outfit around you, everything starts to click.
If today’s post gave you clarity or a-ha moments, I’d love to hear what resonated. Hit reply, leave a comment, or DM me on Instagram (@tinaabeysekara).
Need a wardrobe clean slate?
If your style feels off—or you're stuck in the “I have nothing to wear” loop—The Wardrobe Reset Method will help you get clear on what’s working, what’s not, and where to go from here.
It’s my signature process to reconnect with your personal style—without pressure, confusion, or starting from scratch.
Until next month’s Style Decoded,
Tina xx
My mission is to help women fall in love with themselves through the power of style. I’d be incredibly grateful if you subscribed for more content like this! Free and paid options available. Welcome to Style On Purpose.
This is such a thoughtful approach to style! I especially love how you connected identity to intentional choices.
As someone who works closely with stylists, I see how powerful it is when clients finally understand why something works for them. You explained that so clearly.
Excited to keep reading your work! ☝🏻🌟