The Little Black Dress has long held the title of greatest onyx apparel but, lately, it’s getting a bit of competition from its only slightly rebellious sibling, the Little Black Jacket. “The great thing about a black jacket is that it can be a layering piece,” says Kaarin Moore Vembar, whose fashion consultancy firm Fashion Caucus offers image consultancy, personal shopping and wardrobe styling. “Just because it’s hot and steamy outside, your office might be pumping out so much air conditioning that you’re freezing. A black jacket really does the trick for looking polished and professional while giving you an extra layer.”
Classic and season-less, black jackets can go from jersey or linen material for the warmer months, to leather or wool come fall. “Chanel is really the brand that made the black jacket a staple,” says Vembar. “Right now, the jacket is returning to its roots, especially in tweed. But the big word is tailoring. Make sure to invest in a jacket that fits your body type. It can also go from day to night, dressed up or dressed down and is a great return on your investment since it can be paired with so many things in your closet.”
“There is a book being released in August called ‘The Little Black Jacket: Chanel’s Classic Revisted’ by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld that is really bringing this staple wardrobe piece back into focus,” says Vembar. Interpreted hundreds of different ways, “classic, avante-garde, preppy or slouchy,” our expert adds, “Just grab one that fits your body type and you can wear it over and over again.”
