An ’80-style oversize blazer Marki Williams/NYT WirecutterWith deep-enough pockets and an elegant drape, this oversize blazer still feels classic and versatile.There’s no denying it — the Gelso is really oversize. And that’s exactly why we liked it.Available in black, gray, and taupe, the semistructured Gelso blazer is made with a midweight fabric (a blend of Lyocell, rayon, and wool) that has a nice drape. This is one of The Frankie Shop’s most expensive blazers (about $400). But of those we tested, the Gelso feels the most luxurious, largely because of its polyester-free fabric. It’s weighty yet not heavy, and it feels soft to the touch, draping with ease but without scrunching or bulging in weird ways.The Gelso’s loose-fitting silhouette is baggy yet not shapeless, so this is a great splurge item for those who love oversize blazers. Due to the hefty price, though, we wouldn’t recommend this one for oversize-blazer newbies. It’s also a tad long, sitting just around the thighs. And the style is not for everyone: The shoulder pads give the blazer a vintage look that’s straight out of American Gigolo. Yet we found that the pads added structure and a bit of edge to an otherwise-classic blazer, thereby making it surprisingly versatile. I wore it to the office with jeans and a T-shirt, and I paired it with pleated Bermuda shorts and kitten heels to go out to dinner. Marki Williams/NYT WirecutterWe also liked that it (sort of) doubles as a bag: The pockets are so big that they can fit a 7-inch notebook (with room to spare). And because the blazer is light, carrying some cargo didn’t feel cumbersome. When I carried my phone, keys, small wallet, and a few makeup products in the pockets, I barely noticed the additional weight.Hannah and I both ordered the blazer in our usual sizes, and we were okay with the ample silhouette. But if you prefer a tighter fit, consider sizing down. (And Hannah offers a styling tip: Wear it “unbuttoned with the arms scrunched.”)A double-breasted power blazer Marki Williams/NYT WirecutterWhile it’s hefty and structured, this blazer also has enough movement to balance casual and professional outfits. But take note of the bold padded shoulders.The Frankie Shop’s Dina Double Breasted Blazer was our favorite officewear option. With its thick shoulder pads, waist-cinching seams, and hefty fabric, this one makes a statement yet still remains professional.Made with a blend of polyester, rayon, and elastane, the Dina blazer still feels more sophisticated than other synthetics-heavy styles from The Frankie Shop. That’s largely due to those waist-cinching seams, which create a more-streamlined look than you typically get with double-breasted styles. We also found that despite the blazer’s structured silhouette and thick fabric, it was comfortable to wear for long periods. Marki Williams/NYT WirecutterHannah and I both found that this blazer looks good whether it’s buttoned or unbuttoned. “Buttoned up, it has a cool hourglass shape, giving it a very formal and very stylized look. But unbuttoned it can pass as a more day-to-day blazer,” Hannah said. It also has prominent shoulder pads, which we liked, but skip this one if they’re not your style.The Dina is one of the few blazers from this brand that fits true to size, so stick with your regular size when ordering.A classic boxy blazer Marki Williams/NYT WirecutterThis single-breasted blazer is an oversize take on a classic staple. It can run large, so we suggest going down a size.Picture a traditional blazer. Then make it boxier, bigger, billowier. That’s the Bea Blazer.Like the Gelso, the Bea is an oversize, single-breasted blazer, but this one doesn’t have shoulder pads. We liked its simplicity, and it had a looser fit and a more casual look without the shoulder pads.This blazer can be dressed up or down. And Hannah particularly liked that she could wear it over layers in colder weather. Yet she said it was also fairly comfortable to wear later in summer, since it’s made with lightweight fabric (mostly polyester). Marki Williams/NYT WirecutterBut like many Frankie Shop blazers, this one was a bit too oversize. We both tested samples in our regular sizes. And we found that with the Bea, it was better to go down a size, so that the fit wasn’t too comically big.This might be an issue for those who wear extra-small sizes. Hannah usually wears a size XS or S, and when she tested the Bea in a size XS, it was really oversize. So she said with this blazer, she’d go down to an XXS, the smallest size available. “It might be hard for someone smaller to find a wearable size,” Hannah said of the Bea (which comes in sizes XXS to XL). “But if it fits you, it’s quite nice.”
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