The best thing about blazers is that they are not gender biased. These fashionable jackets are available for men and women. They blend with any outfit, says Denyse Kayumba, an employee at Crystal Ventures Limited. “Blazers are the style statement of the 21st Century. They are often paired with dresses, skirts and even jeans,” she adds. Inspired from the men’s suit, blazers are essentially designed with a touch of femininity. They have a number of types, for example, the boyfriend blazer, the cropped blazer, fitted blazer, belted blazer and a classic blazer and so much more. The wide range of styles ,types and colours that women’s blazers available make it possible for any woman to find a blazer that is both flattering to her body and appropriate for whatever event she may be attending. Benita Rukundo, an employee at the Elai&Levai boutique in Kigali City Towers (KCT), says she loves the way they make an ordinary outfit look chic effortlessly. The price of blazers in boutiques across town goes for Rwf 35000 to Rwf 45000. You can also find them in markets that sell second hand clothes for as little as Rwf 2000 to Rwf 5000. ******************** Top 5 blazers every woman must own One piece of clothing that is a necessity in any woman’s closet in a blazer. Although womens’ blazers can indeed conjure up images of the 1980s blazers, and giant shoulder pads, modern blazers thankfully have a different look to them. Boyfriend Blazer As the equivalent to a boyfriend cardigan, a boyfriend blazer is a blazer that is longer and looser than other modern blazers. The idea of a boyfriend blazer is it is supposed to look like a woman just threw on her boyfriend’s blazer nonchalantly for a casual chic look. To pull off the look, roll up the sleeves, and leave the jacket open. Many boyfriend blazers have liners that complement the whole ensemble with an interesting fabric. Cropped Blazer Another popular style of womens blazers is a cropped blazer. The great part about owning a cropped blazer is how versatile it is. A cropped blazer ends about the waist area, or an inch or so higher. This style typically flatters a tall, slender build. This type of blazer has the ability to go from a day look to an evening look effortlessly. Some styles of cropped blazers are suitable for a casual business look for work. There are many different styles of cropped jackets, however, including some that are too casual for the office. Fitted Blazer If there is one blazer that every woman must own, it would have to be a fitted blazer. Almost every designer brand offers a fitted blazer. A fitted blazer gives an updated look to the classic business wear. Whereas many blazers traditionally had a “boxy,” shapeless look to them, a fitted blazer gives an attractive fit to the blazer. Belted Blazer A belted blazer is a modern update to a classic look. Adding belt to a blazer creates an instant waistline. This look is suitable for any woman as a great “day” look, and is suitable in a professional setting with the right pieces. This type of a blazer is a smart look when combined with a pencil skirt, or slim-fitted jeans. Classic Blazer The classic blazer is a blazer that has been relatively the same cut, and style for decades. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it does not sit well with people who value the influences of trends. This look is generally the most beneficial in women who are age of 50 or older; however, with exceptions given the right accessories. www.ebay.com