Cheryl Shops

We've had several false starts over the last few years, but it seems like a lot of us are returning to the office, at least a few days per week. As much as I love how productive (and calmer) I feel at home, I miss gossiping with my coworkers and seeing what they're wearing. And when it comes to what I'll be wearing, I have a feeling it won't be a complete return to my pre-pandemic wardrobe—for one, I don't think I can manage a heel higher than two inches—however there are certain pieces that I can't wait to wear regularly again, especially blazers. As I've said many times before, I love a good blazer. Nothing makes me feel more like I have my act together. I haven't been wearing mine nearly as frequently as I'd like to, with the exception of my trusty J.Crew camel sweater blazer. Because this blazer is knit, it feels softer and more relaxed like a cardigan; but because it has a notched lapel and more of a tailored structure, it feels a little more polished than a sweater. One thing to note: this style used to be called the Sophie; it's now the Eloise, and while he collar has been slightly updated and the fabric is a little more lightweight, it's basically the same piece—and a wise investment. Here are 7 ways to wear it. 

With all white

One of my favorite things about this knit blazer is that it's so lightweight, you can wear it year-round. In the colder months, it's an extra layer, but in the spring and summer, it functions as your outer layer. This time of year, I especially love camel with white and pink—it feels bright and hopeful, just like springtime. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: J.Crew sweater blazer | Spanx Perfect Length top (c/o) | Old Navy jeans (current version here) | Madewell sandals (current season here) | Zadig & Voltaire scarf (similar here)

With a maxi skirt

The blazer itself has somewhat of a boxy cut, and conventional wisdom would tell you that you should balance out the volume on top with something more formfitting on the bottom. That does indeed work (scroll down to the next look for proof!) but because the blazer is so fitted in the shoulder, the shape isn't overwhelming, and thus it works looks good with everything, including maxi skirts. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: J.Crew sweater blazer | Alexander Wang tee (similar here) | Nili Lotan for Target skirt (here are some on eBay) | The Sak Los Feliz tote (c/o) | Chanel ballerina flats

With skinny pants

Skinny pants fans, this one's for you. One of the many wonderful things about this blazer is its length, which, on me, is just enough to cover the derrière, something I prefer with my more formfitting bottoms. This particular pair of pants happens to be knit, however they have actual back pockets for a little extra coverage. What makes them genius is that they look like woven pants, but they're just as comfy as leggings (here's an in-depth review). If you're wearing this combination to an actual workplace, I recommend layering with a woven shirt, as I have here, because three knit pieces together can skew a little casual (but keep scrolling to the bottom if that's what you're after).

OUTFIT DETAILS: J.Crew sweater blazer | Madewell chambray shirt | Spanx perfect black ankle 4-pocket pant  (c/o) | Vionic oxfords (c/o; similar here) | Fount coventry bag (c/o)

With wide-leg pants

I absolutely loved this outfit—I was a little unsure about the wide-leg trousers, but when I got to NYC (where this photo was taken), there were so many women wearing them. Again, I wouldn't instinctually pair such a longer, slouchier blazer with fluid pants like these, but with the pop of pattern from my striped top (and tucking it into the high waistband), there's enough definition and differentiation for it to work. Best part: it's super comfy too, especially with sneakers. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: J.Crew sweater blazer | Proenza Schouler tee | Outrageous Fortune pants | A.P.C. sac demi-lune | Golden Goose Superstar sneakers

With a maxi dress

This is an outfit that you could definitely wear to the office (maybe with different shoes though), but it happens to be one of my favorite work-from-home outfits too. I sometimes struggle with maxi dresses and layering, because it can be hard to get the proportions right. While I tend to go for either very cropped or very long over a maxi, the in-between length works here with the more relaxed silhouette of the dress. Again, this is another super-comfy one!

OUTFIT DETAILS: J.Crew sweater blazer | Tory Burch striped dress | vintage Dior bag (similar here) | Birkenstock Buckley mules

With jeans

What actually inspired me to write this post was the selfie I posted the other day—I'm in Chicago at the moment, and this blazer is so good to wear on an airplane with a T-shirt and jeans (this is my go-to travel outfit). It's especially a good choice for winter travel, because it's thin enough to easily fit under a coat—sometimes blazers can be tricky to layer, especially if they have big shoulder pads (this one has none). I'm a big fan of wearing blazers on a plane, because they keep out the chill but they look much more refined than, say, sweats. The benefit to wearing this one is that it doesn't wrinkle, which is key when you have to go straight to a dinner or meeting after your flight. Here's a more detailed post on my travel outfit formula.

OUTFIT DETAILS: J.Crew sweater blazer | Proenza Schouler tee | Frame le high straight jeans | A.P.C. sac demi-lune | Chloe Susanna boots

With sweatpants

While all the looks I've featured here are comfy, this is by far the comfiest—and the one you probably don't want to wear the office, unless your workplace has gone really casual. (If so, lucky you!) This has been one of my go-to outfits for the last couple of years, and while I'm appreciative of its comfiness, I'm ready to take it out of heavy rotation. Still, there's something to be said for business on top, loungewear on the bottom—it will forever have a place in my heart, and likely in my work-from-home wardrobe.