Page 2 - TR What Women Want Feb 2017

2SS • What Women Want • An Advertising Supplement to the Three Rivers Edition • Sunday, February 12, 2017
whatwomenwant staff
EDITORIAL
Staci Miller Franklin niche publications director
Wendy Miller special sections manager
Sarah DeClerk section coordinator/writer
Emily Edmisten writer
CJ Gilbert writer
Cody Graves writer/photographer
Spencer Griffin writer
Leanne Hunter designer
Karen Laskey copy editor
ADVERTISING
Michelle Cothern director of zoned advertising
Terry Cody account executive
Peggy Morris account executive
Erin Mize graphic artist
Cover photo by Matt Johnson
select your scent
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cover story page 6
read all over page 7
perfect pucker page 8
Major BLAZER Make the most of this versatile garment
BY SARAH DECLERK SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
As far as fashion staples go, blazers are hard to beat. In Arkansas, the light-weight outerwear can be worn most of the year, and women can easily transition blazers
from work days to nights out.
“It gives [women] that classy look that they’re going for if they don’t want to wear a full-on women’s pantsuit,” said Jenna Dale Harlan, owner of Dale’s Clothing and Accessories in Searcy. “It’s just a trend that is coming back, kind of like all the other trends have slowly made their way back.”
When shopping for a blazer, it may be best to try on the garment before making a purchase. Women can move their arms to ensure that the blazer allows full range of motion and will not become uncomfortable throughout the day.
Well-fitted blazers emphasize women’s shoulders, and shoppers should ensure that the garment’s shoulder seams sit right at the edge of their shoulders. In addition, blazers should not strain across the shoulder blades or cut into the upper arms.
Although women have different preferences regarding sleeve length, full sleeves typically end between the wrist and thumb joint, and three-quarter-length sleeves end an inch below the elbow. Sleeves should not be baggy, but they should be wide enough to allow layering.
“You want to find something that you can wear a little bit of a thicker piece underneath,” Dale Harlan said. “That way, it gives you mobility.”
Blazers with two buttons tend to be universally flattering, but women can exper- iment with different numbers of buttons to determine their preference. While most blazers are single-breasted, meaning they have only one row of buttons, some women may fall in love with double-breasted blazers. When buttoned completely, blazers should conform to a woman’s curves without stretching across her torso.
Most blazers have characteristic notched lapels, which come to two points, but blazers can also be found with rounded or single-pointed lapels. Much like men’s ties, lapels should match women’s frames. Smaller women may look best in blazers with thin lapels, while larger women may look dashing in blazers with big dramatic lapels.
Functional pockets are a plus, but big square pockets stuffed with goods can ruin a blazer’s silhouette. Smaller, angular pockets create a more feminine effect.
Blazers come in a variety of lengths, and Dale Harlan said waist-length blazers have been most popular this year. Hip- and waist-length blazers tend to be the most versatile when transitioning from work to play, but those who only want to wear their blazers outside of work can opt for cropped or extra-long designs.
Blazers can go from the office to a night out in the blink of an eye, and a well-fitted blazer can be a staple in any woman’s wardrobe.
Women can also take their pick from various fabrics ranging from conventional wool and polyester to more offbeat corduroy, velvet and leather.
“I’ve noticed a lot of leather blazers coming back, and not in your traditional colors. They’re going to be your pastel colors,” Dale Harlan said, adding that textured, rather than smooth, leather tends to be more scratch-resistant.
Solids and neutrals may be the most versatile styles for blazers, but women look- ing to branch out can find blazers in a rainbow of colors, as well as patterns such as pinstripes, plaids and florals.
“Going into the spring, I know I’ve seen a lot of baby pinks,” Dale Harlan said. “We’ve been seeing that mixed and matched with a lot of different colors, too, because it’s not full pink, but it’s not full white. It’s right there in between, so you can wear it with quite a bit.”
The key to shopping for a blazer is to find a piece that can be worn with multiple outfits, Dale Harlan said. At the office, blazers are traditionally worn with button-up shirts and trousers or pencil skirts. However, women can achieve a mix of mascu- line and feminine styles by pairing blazers with camisoles and A-line skirts or fitted trousers and flowing blouses.
There are also plenty of ways to incorporate blazers into more casual outfits. For date nights, women can wear their blazers with printed sleeveless dresses or graphic tank tops and skinny jeans.
“We’ve seen some black skinny jeans and like a white tank,” Dale Harlan added. “That’s kind of your more basic look, but that’s been really cute.”