Help me up my game - cardigans --> jackets.

[Rhubarbara]

I'm most comfortable in trousers - skinny jeans and cigarette pants mostly.

My dilemma is if I want to be a bit smarter, I often wear a silk (or just naice) shirt, but I don't have any jackets - so my options are either to just go in a shirt (and coat), or to wear a cardi or sweater over the top. (Day to day I quite like the sweater-over-shirt look because I'm drawn to the librarian aesthetic like a moth to a flame - but sometimes it feels a bit... too woolly.)

So I need some jackets - a black one and a navy one, to be precise. I don't want to buy in Zara or whatever because I've done that before and they're all creased and shabby before you know it - so I'm prepared to pay more. But these are unchartered sartorial waters for me. I don't want to look like a 1980s office worker, but I'm unsure of the critical nuances. Can you help steer me in the right direction? (Please).

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

No advice to offer sorry, but watching with interest as I have the same problem...

[Maudlinmaud]

Is it a blazer you want?
Personally I love Zara and they last forever.
I have some new look waterfall type blazers/jackets in different colours, blush, navy, black. They wash really well.
I've picked up some great finds in tkmaxx, think nice tweed and wool. Maybe try local boutiques if you have any.

[Brillenbar]

Are you thinking jersey blazer or wool, jersey is v comfy just like wearing a cardi. Boden do them. Whistles is better www.whistles.com/search?q=Jersey+jacket&tcgid=root

If you like the whistles ones but they don't have your size try John Lewis and house of Fraser they both stock whistles

Massimo dutti which is zara posh is great for wool or structured blazers. Good modern cuts

[CaraAspen]

Try Uniqlo. The quality is good and they products are stylish:

im.uniqlo.com/images/uk/sp/goods/183430/item/09_183430_mb.jpg

[CaraAspen]

Blazer:

www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/194593?r=6614667235964097262#

[CaraAspen]

...the products...

[FinallyHere]

Ive seen some very together looking people wearing skinnies, silk short and a shortish leather jacket.

Flatish shoes and it looks business like, high heals more glamorous.

[OCSockOrphanage]

Zara almost always have a really good Chanel-style tweed "homage" jacket for around £80. The current navy version got a mention in this morning's Times Fashion pages.

[OCSockOrphanage]

The Fold is another name mentioned in the Times piece which is rather more upmarket than Zara and might be closer to what you're looking for.

[bleughhh]

The Fold is lovely but v pricey. I just bought a navy and white boucle zip cardigan (looks like a sort of jacket) from Massimo Dutti. It's called 'cardigan with fringe detail' and is £74.95

[nickEcave]

I got this jacket in Oliver Bonas recently www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/olive-ottoman-rib-jacket-43057#selection=size:8__166. Looks smart but relaxed. I've got big boobs so need softly tailored jackets that don't need to be done up!

[SecondsLeft]

To be honest (and probably not for you) but I have had some lovely Jersey blazers or similar soft but smart ones for a very low price from ebay, or from George at Asda. I went upmarket and got one from Wallis but the shape was just too boxy, I need one with a bit of hourglass shape or I look terrible in them.

[Rhubarbara]

Oh - thanks everyone. Hmmm. Lots to mull over. Think I want more structure than a jersey blazer. Fine wool?

[RandomWordsandaNumber5]

A Chanel style tweed jacket sounds just the job. John Lewis should have them. They're classic and elegant.

[Fackorf]

Reiss, in the sales.