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If there is one item of clothing I firmly believe should be in every single woman’s wardrobe, it’s an oversized grey blazer, not least for their versatility, but for their timelessness and ability to make any outfit feel immediately more put-together. So if quiet luxury is the vibe you’re aiming for in 2024, then we’ve got you covered.
Not only are they great for elevating your outfits, from gym sweats and trainers for an off-duty look, to something a little more sophisticated for brunch or the office, but they’re totally ageless too. What’s more is that grey is a neutral colour that tends to compliment a wide range of skin tones, making it a universally flattering choice for fashion fans, not to mention, incredibly easy to style.
And to prove it, I – aged 26 and a size 10 – and my 52-year-old mum, Tracy, styled this Charcoal Tailored Oversized Dad Blazer from Molly Mae Hague’s PrettyLittleThing collection for our latest instalment of Mum vs Millennial.
Priced at £50, this luxe-looking blazer is available in sizes 4-16 and due to its deliberate oversized fit, we definitely recommend getting your usual size. I went for a size 10 and mum is wearing a size 16, but in hindsight, a 14 would have been a better fit for her.
Whenever mum and I style the same piece, we don’t tell each other what we’re wearing and on this occasion, we were totally on the same wavelength, opting for a Pinterest-ready aesthetic combining leathers, gold details and shorter hemlines.
I styled the blazer with a faux leather mini skirt adorned with gold detailing from River Island, which tied in nicely with my gold Abbott Lyon necklace and hoop earrings, as well as the hardware on my Marks and Spencer faux leather crossbody (a lookalike for a well-known designer bag from Celine). I layered it over a grey ribbed turtleneck vest, finishing the look with some grey socks and my black leather loafers from Kurt Geiger.
This particular look I think would also work really well with a white shirt in place of the grey knitted top, potentially layered with a v-neck sweater vest while the weather remains cooler. A black hair bow would also really top this outfit off beautifully.
My mum took a very similar approach, pairing it with a timeless black smock dress cinched at the waist with a belt for definition. She added some near-sheer black tights for a little extra warmth while streamlining her silhouette and elongating the leg. It’s also a great little way to get your pins out if you’re not confident enough to go bare, and disguises the times you’ve perhaps not shaved or tanned your legs, if that’s something that would bother you.
Mum’s chunky chelsea boots give the outfit a bit more of an edge and feels youthful without trying too hard, with her grab bag and gold jewellery pulling together to complete the look.
I really like how these outfits can both be tweaked for different occasions, too. For example, the shorter skirts can be swapped out for satin midi skirts or wide leg trousers for a more work-appropriate look, while heels can be added for cocktails at the bar. Jeans and trainers would look just as chic, as would loungewear. I just feel like it offers endless styling possibilities for every age and body shape.
My only complaint about this particular blazer is that it doesn’t have a button, but it could be belted closed if you were looking for a more ‘closed’ look.
And if grey isn’t for you, but you love the shape of this dad blazer, it also comes in white, oatmeal and classic black, so you’ll be sure to find one perfect for you. Whether you’re going for a chic office look or elevating your street style, this blazer promises to deliver. We are obsessed.
