Jacket and Blazer Style Guide
Does shopping completely overwhelm you? Fashion designer Bradley Bayou offers his easy guide to jackets and blazers.
Bradley Bayou
![Bolero Bolero](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-bolero-600x411.jpg)
Bolero
This is a light, extremely cropped jacket meant to be worn open. The styles are varied enough so that some can be paired with a dressy evening gown, others with a casual top.
![Chanel-style jacket Chanel-style jacket](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-chanel-style-jacket-600x411.jpg)
Chanel-Style Jacket
A boxy-cut, button-up jacket, most recognizable in tweed.
![Corseted blazer Corseted blazer](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-corseted-blazer-600x411.jpg)
Corseted Blazer
The bodice of this blazer contains a torso-hugging band often reinforced with boning inserted into the stiff fabric. When closed, the blazer helps define the waist.
![Denim-style jacket Denim-style jacket](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-denim-jacket-600x411.jpg)
Denim-Style Jacket
Usually made from cotton denim, this style, hemmed to hit at the waist, features two front-buttoned pockets on the chest and two slanted pockets above the hip area.
![Cropped jacket Cropped jacket](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-cropped-jacket-600x411.jpg)
Cropped Jacket
This jacket's hem hits just above your natural waist.
![High-stance blazer High-stance blazer](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-high-stance-blazer-600x411.jpg)
High-Stance Blazer
A blazer in which the top closure fastens around the bust or higher.
![Low-stance blazer Low-stance blazer](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-low-stance-blazer-600x411.jpg)
Low-Stance Blazer
A blazer in which the top closure fastens below the bust or lower.
![Mandarin collar Mandarin collar](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-mandarin-collar-jacket-600x411.jpg)
Mandarin Collar
Like the Asian collar from which the style is adapted, this is a short band collar that runs an inch or two straight up the neck, with a notch in the center that may or may not close with a button.
![Military jacket Military jacket](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-mandarin-collar-jacket-600x411.jpg)
Military Jacket
This casual jacket can take on a variety of military-inspired embellishments, such as epaulets, oversize buttons and pockets.
![Peacoat Peacoat](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-pea-coat-600x411.jpg)
Peacoat
This is a hip-length jacket with a wide-notch collar featuring a double-breasted closure, in which one flap of fabric completely crosses over another and attaches with a double row of buttons on the front of the coat.
![Peplum jacket Peplum jacket](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-peplum-blazer-600x411.jpg)
Peplum Jacket
This style tapers in snugly to waist, with a flounce flaring out toward the hips.
![Princess-seam blazer Princess-seam blazer](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-princess-seam-blazer-600x411.jpg)
Princess-Seam Blazer
These seams are curved, form-fitting seams running down the right and left sides of the coat, mimicking the hourglass shape.
![Shawl collar Shawl collar](/g/image-resizer?width=670&link=https://static.oprah.com/images/style/201006/20100616-shawl-collar-600x411.jpg)
Shawl Collar
Instead of using a separate piece of fabric for the collar, this style features one continuous piece of fabric that folds over at the neck in one elegant line.
Bradley Bayou's guide to skirts
Bradley Bayou's guide to skirts
Published 06/16/2010