Big, boxy blazers from the 1980s

It's big. It's boxy. It's the 1980s Blazer -- in this case courtesy of the good ole' thrift shop.

These types of blazers abound in thrift stores, and you can make them work for you if you find the look attractive.

My tips for wearing the 1980s thrifted boxy blazer:

- Don't go for any blazer. There are tons of tapestry shoulder-padded nightmares out there. Go for a style that can still be styled into a somewhat current trend or look. In this case, this wool navy blazer with the big gold buttons made me think nautical and preppy. Here I prepped it out with jeans and a yellow turtleneck; I could just as easily have worn a striped red and white or navy and white fitted top.

- Consider proportion. As you can see, this is one big blazer. It would look ridiculous with the kind of jeans I normally favour, which are wide-leg long lean pants. Skinny jeans, or a short fitted skirt, would create the most pleasing silouette and proportion. A long full skirt or even a long straight skirt would make me look like someone from the 1990s, or Olive Oil, respectively.

I really hate to give a list of "don'ts", because I like to encourage creativity and don't think we should slot ourselves into little impenetrable style boxes. But having said that ....

- Think seriously before you don leggings or jeggings with a blazer as if they were a pair of pants. Actually if you're not 20 or not caught in a 1980s time warp, seriously rethink wearing leggings as pants - period. Unless, of course, you have amazing legs and rear-end - in which case I say kudos to you! Ok I'm being silly here;it's the end of a long busy week! A big oversize blazer like this may be just the piece to pair with leggings because it will cover your butt and look a little less like you're wearing tights for pants. It's all about your comfort zone.

- I'd be leery of wearing a blazer such as this if you aren't on the average to tall side. Again we're back to the proportion thing. If you are quite short, the blazer will look like you've shrunk. A fitted shorter blazer would better suit your proportions. If you're larger, a  blazer such as this may look rather tent-like on you. Again, though, you have to wear what makes you comfy, and if it's a big blazer, then it's a big blazer.