Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Taught Me 4 Genius Ways to Style a Blazer

Instagram is easily one of the places where I find most fashion inspiration. More than anything else, Instagram inspires me by introducing me to new brands and new ways of styling pieces I already have in my closet. Not only is it an instant way to see what fashion insiders are wearing across the globe, but it also provides access inside the wardrobes of celebs.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is one celeb whose style I personally identify with, so I’m constantly looking to the outfits she posts on Instagram. While she has a closet brimming with covetable pieces from Bottega Veneta, she also mixes in affordable pieces from Zara like the bodysuit that went viral last year. On top of that, many of her looks are built around wardrobe staples, so her Instagram is a gold mine for cool styling tips to make basics like a blazer feel fresh. Here, I’m test-driving four of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s genius blazer outfits. Go on to see my take on her chic looks.

Outfit 1: Paired with knee-high boots

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Rosie's outfit:
(Image credit: @rosiehw; )

A year ago, I may have worn an oversize blazer with heels, but by adding a pair of knee-high boots it instantly feels like a fresher way to style it. They add a sense of sleekness to the pieces layered underneath, which is something I immediately picked up on from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's outfit here.

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My take:
(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Like RHW, I mixed shades of brown and black but opted for a turtleneck in place of a T-shirt. This look has proven to be one of my most-worn office outfit formulas that I rely on again and again when I can't figure out what to wear.

Shop the look:

Outfit 2: Add a bra top

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Rosie's outfit:
(Image credit: @rosiehw)

Yes, pantsuits can easily transition to the evening with a few easy styling tweaks. I love how RHW added a bra top underneath hers here. Lingerie-inspired pieces and bra tops will be one of the biggest trends for spring 2020, and this is a very wearable way to try it out.

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My take:
(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

I took inspiration from RHW's look, adding a bandeau top underneath one of my favorite pantsuits. While I would normally wear this to the office with a T-shirt, switching it out for a bra top makes it read as nighttime-ready.

Shop the look:

Outfit 3: Wear a matching skirt suit set

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Rosie's outfit:
(Image credit: @rosiehw)

If you're looking for an alternative to the pantsuit, trying a matching skirt suit set. This exact version is still available to shop ahead.

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My take:
(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Shop the look:

Outfit 4: All black with a tan blazer

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Rosie's outfit:
(Image credit: @rosiehw)

If you're looking for a way to make an all-black outfit feel a little cooler, simply add a tan blazer like RHW. 

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My take:
(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

Proving that one blazer can work in different ways, I wore the jacket from my skirt suit set for the look here—this time, layered over a simple all-black look.

Next, shop my spring shopping picks from Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter.

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.