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(Image credit: Collage Vintage )

We’re going to let you in on a little secret: The It item for fall has made itself clear. No, it’s not a bag or covetable pair of shoes, and it’s not a piece of statement jewelry or a designer dress. It’s a blazer. That’s right—the piece you’ve probably had in your closet for years and considered a conservative answer to office style is exploding on the street style scene. Every fashion influencer has been spotted wearing their blazer during fashion month, and we’ve been taking notes about the inventive ways they’re styling the wardrobe workhorse.

To make it look cool and fashion-forward, there are few key tricks we’ve picked up on. First, try an oversize silhouette, perhaps something that looks like it came from the men’s department. Style it with slouchy boots or a simple pair of jeans for an outfit that works everywhere from the office to the front row at fashion week. Next, mix it with other big fall trends. One of our personal favorite ways to wear it is with a pair of track pants. It adds the perfect level of sophistication to the more casual style. Finally, try a skirt suit. Once reserved for businesspeople, the skirt suit styles this season feel fresh and cool. Opt for a miniskirt to keep it modern.

Go on to see how to wear a blazer with inspiration from street style stars, and then shop their outfits.

Wear It With Slouchy Boots

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(Image credit: Getty Images )

Wear an oversize blazer with a simple tee, jeans, and slouchy boots for a fashion-forward look.

Style It Over a Graphic T-Shirt

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(Image credit: @thedevilswearzara)

Layer a graphic T-shirt underneath the blazer of a suit in an effort to make your overall look a bit more casual.

Go Monohrome

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(Image credit: Getty Images )

Wearing different shades of one color from head to toe is a cool way to make the look work.

Clash Prints

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

Get a little funky with your look by clashing the print of your blazer or suit with a standout sock. Sneakers and a beaded bag complete the eclectic vibe.

Elevate Your Jeans

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(Image credit: Style du Monde )

Elevate your jeans by adding a structured blazer over them.

Mix Pastels and Prints

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(Image credit: @itsmekellieb)

Throw a pastel blazer (it is spring, after all) over a festive printed dress. The statement hue will not only enhance whatever print it is you choose but will also add some structure to the frock.

Turn It Into a Dress

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(Image credit: @annaflorencelaplaca)

Wear a more oversize blazer as a dress for a fresh and dynamic look. “Dad” sneakers add that finishing cool-girl touch.

Layer It With Track Pants

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Track pants are proving to be one of this season’s biggest trends. Make them work for the office by styling them with a blazer.

Style It Into a Matching Skirt Suit

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Skirt suits are back in a huge way. Our favorite way to style them is with a simple tee and colorful sock boots.

Make It Maxi

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(Image credit: @marenschia)

Add some polish to a flowy maxi dress by way of a lightweight blazer. Killer accessories, per usual, will make all the difference here. 

Now that you know exactly how to wear a blazer, check out the 16 pairs of cute spring shoes that are impressing us right now.

This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated by Lauren Eggertsen.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.