138: An antidote-to-blazers blazer

How to wear Toteme's (on sale) belted blazer three ways.

My hype on blazers has cooled over the last couple years, a case of too many Frankie Shop suits in the ether, perhaps (yes, I’ve been guilty of this). But seeing how they’re worn in Copenhagen, as second-nature, a staple as natural as denim rather than an affectation (yes, you can tell), I’m inspired to reopen the case on their potential in my wardrobe.

I succumbed to this Toteme blazer from my SSENSE wishlist a touch early in the season, which, as a wool-blend cady, is more visually buoyant than it sounds thanks to its sheeny finish. It’s also a phenomenal deal, on sale for $405 on SSENSE and $552 at Net and $396 (!) on Matches, compared to this The Row lookalike that’s litchrally 10x the price at $4,250.

My fast-forward brain can imagine it with sickly luxe knits and beat-up hoodies and culottes for the fall, but since we’re still at summer’s end, I’m stying it for the more-or-less now.

Toteme black belted blazer, $405 $920 / Alessandra Rich pleated skirt (similar from MM6 Maison Margiela, $428 $1,036) / Wales Bonner adidas Originals Edition SL72 Sneakers, $180 / Colorful Standard socks, $11

A tailored skirt-tailored jacket combo does not a box break, but TBH this look was about the Wales Bonner Sambas for me; the generous length of the blazer is tackling my fear of being “shortened” by a low sneaker. My favorite thing going on here, though, is the black on top and brown on bottom combo not clashing despite foregoing any aphoristic rules on how to pair the two, a theme I’m just realizing is threaded throughout.

Toteme black belted blazer, $405 $920 / Loewe Anagram tank (men’s cut), $390 / Gemsun linen wrapped shorts, $220 / Hai Dakota bag, $178 / vintage Prada heeled sandals (similar, $97)

By now the hype has reached critical mass, but if the Loewe anagram tank has no fans, I am dead. I’ve been indoctrinated by how a good logo can transform simple piece—it’s why the Courréges tees have persisted so long, and I’d say the original YSL emblem would go hard here, too. I was imagining this look at a kind of brunch-coded press event or high-summer celebration drinks for a friend’s big promotion, and frankly, I just don’t think a plain black tank would deliver the same oomph.

Toteme black belted blazer, $405 $920 / Gemsun Prima skirt dress, $200 / Lido midi skirt, $254 / Maryam Nassir Zadeh Lara tote, $262 $485 (also in pink, $492) / Tkees Lily Liners flip flops, $55

I almost got rid of this Lido skirt, new to me from earlier this summer, after noticing my dry cleaners had left a bleached splotch pattern all over its off-white linen. But then I had a download, went home, and threw Gemsun’s sheer, chiffon skirt-dress (previously featured here) over it and found absolution. This is my favorite look of the bunch, and I think the accessories are what ultimately make it: low-key-as-it-gets flip-flops that counteract the theatergoing-readiness of the clothing components and an awakening flash of Maryam’s bluest Lara tote.

Like I said, the Toteme blazer is a steal on sale for as low as $396 compared to this $4,250 The Row alt, but a few further options down the price scale include an on-sale cotton style from Raey for $275, Anine Bing double-breasted cut for $400, and one from Theory men’s for $190.

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Photos by Deb Leal