Blazer dresses are the perfect mix of smart and sexy, and they'll work for every event in your diary this spring

Blazer dresses have been iconic ever since 1966, back when legendary New York socialite Nan Kempner took off her trousers and sauntered into a restaurant wearing a tuxedo suit jacket as a dress (at the time, the stuffy maitre’d didn’t allow women wearing trousers in his establishment). Since then, the blazer dress has had an iconic insouciance attached to it.

The silhouette is strong because of the tailored cut, yet most blazer dresses are above the knee – giving them a fresh, flirty feel. You can wear them to work (they totally tick any office-appropriate dress codes) yet choose a bright shade or a print and they work perfectly for wedding guest dressing. Switch up the fabric and the blazer dress is a slick choice for a knock-out going Out Out outfit too. Layer them over a polo-neck or crisp white shirt when it gets colder… yet blazer dresses also look unexpectedly chic with flat sandals as a summer holiday lewk. Versatile, much?

And whatever your own personal taste you’ll find a blazer dress to suit your own style. There are soft pastel options from ASOS (we found this Curve dress in the prettiest pink) and ivory and cream shades that could double up as wedding guest or even an alternative bridal option. This tuxedo style from 12Storeez is stone-cold chic. And of course, there are many classic black blazer dresses. The key to stop black looking looking boring is to choose a textured fabric, like this sequin contrast style, or Karen Millen’s leather version. If your budget will stretch, Prada’s black blazer dress is a lifelong investment while Jacquemus’ cut-out detail dress is a cult buy for 2022.

If you’re refreshing your work wardrobe for those in-office days, Sandro has an elegant midi-length option while & Other Stories has a refreshing pale lime plaid version. Self-Portrait also has an adorable white tweed blazer dress, with metallic thread details, which we’re dreaming of wearing with Chelsea boots now and ballet pumps when the weather warms up. It will, eventually!