It’s no secret that I really love my J.Crew sweater blazers. I got my first one for my birthday back in 2018 and I proceeded to wear it almost every day for the rest of the month, not exaggerating. Since then I’ve purchased it in two other colors and still wear it at least once a week. It just goes with everything. I wore it to the office when I worked in corporate retail and I wear it as a stay-at-home mom. Part cardigan, part blazer, I’m 100% in love.
This is basically the ideal business casual third piece. You can dress it up for work or dress it down for the weekend. As I said, I managed to wear this sweater blazer day in and day out for a month. It goes over blouses, dresses, and tee shirts without thinking. It also has over 500 reviews on JCrew.com rating it at 4.5 stars, meaning I’m not alone in my love for this sweater blazer. So today I wanted to dive a little deeper than my usual “I love it and you will too” and give you a more in-depth review.
J.Crew Sweater Blazer Review
SIZING & COLORS
As far as sizing, it does run quite large. According to J.Crew’s website, my ideal size would be small but I went down further to an extra-small and the fit is perfect for me. This is one to two sizes smaller than I’d normally wear in J.Crew.
Sizing note: I’m 5’5” and I wear size medium in tops, 27 in jeans, 6 in dresses, and I have fairly standard “pear shape” proportions.
There are some things to note about fit and sizing, however. It’s an open front blazer but it is oversized. Not in a boxy manner but oversized in the body and cropped in the sleeves. I actually love this detail about this sweater blazer. If you start to look for it, you’ll notice that I almost always roll up the sleeves of my blazers and jackets regardless of fit.
Currently available in 11 colors. They regularly come out with seasonal colors but the core staples (black, camel, grey, navy) are always available. I have the camel, grey, and light pink versions. I think that I get the most wear out of the camel one since it pairs well with both black and navy items.
PRICE
The Sophie sweater blazer normally retails for $148. However, this sweater blazer is almost always part of J.Crew’s big sales so you can get it for as low as 40% off. I purchased all three of mine while they were on sale. The seasonal colors also get significantly discounted by season end.
ALTERNATIVES
There are a couple of options if you are looking for a similar look for less.
J.Crew Factory has released a version that has really great reviews. It’s not available in as many colorways but looks very similar. Another difference is that it is cotton rather than a cotton/wool blend. This is likely a good option if you live in a warm climate where anything wool might be too heavy. I haven’t personally tried this one so I can’t speak regarding sizing but the online reviews say that it runs true to size. It also has great reviews online, rating at 4.5 stars on about 100 reviews.
J.Crew also has a longer version of this same sweater blazer. I tried it on in-store once and it hit me around the knees. It would probably double as a coat if you live in warmer climates than I do. It retails for about the same price as the sweater blazer so you could say that you’re getting more for your money. Sizing-wise, it also runs large and you should get the same size as the Sophie sweater blazer.
8 Ways to Wear a Sweater Blazer
J.Crew Eyelet Top (runs big, I went down one size) // J.Jill Jeans (love these denim leggings. Yes, you heard correctly! These are actually denim leggings although you’d never be able to tell without putting them on. I have an entire review dedicated to them here) // J.Crew Sweater Blazer (this is the most versatile thing in my wardrobe. I have it in three colors for a reason and wear it at least twice a week. Perfect for both over-air-conditioned offices and mommy life. You can read a whole review here) // old slingback flats (these are old but I found a VERY similar pair from Everlane. They even have the same shade of pink!)
Sweater Blazer (if you don’t already know, I love these sweater blazers, wear them at least twice a week, and have it in three colors. They run very large. I’m wearing size XS.)// Leopard Button Down (I bought this blouse while I was pregnant because I was having leopard print FOMO. It’s a great staple and runs TTS but it’s a classic fit so it’s not tight to the body) // Abercrombie high-waist skinny jeans (these jeans were such a wonderful surprise! They hold everything in really well and only cost me $40 on sale. They come in three inseams so tall and petite girls can wear them without awkward hems. I’m wearing a 27 short because I like ankle length jeans.)// Madewell loafers (love these loafers! They are quickly becoming my everyday shoe since I wear them more often than not. I found them to be TTS although they are little narrow. I’m wearing a 7.5)
Boden Richmond 7 / 8 Pants (Also available here. This print isn’t available anymore but they do come in a bunch of other colors including pink gingham. J.Crew has a very similar pair of gingham pants in blue and pink) // old J.Crew tee shirt (the new version of this shirt has a lace sleeve edge while mine is old and has eyelet sleeves. Old Navy has a version that is very similar to my eyelet version) // J.Crew Sweater Blazer (Yes, I know I can’t stop talking about this sweater blazer but it’s THAT good! You need it in your life. I have it in three colors, just saying) // old Jeffrey Campbell slingbacks (these are pretty similar and they come in pink) // Prada bag (I got this bag via Fashionphile which is my go-to for used designer. I have a whole post about how I invest in designer bags here)
JEANS: J.Jill c/o (These are actually denim leggings but you could never tell by looking at them. They look like skinny jeans and feel like skinny jeans only I’d recommend sizing down. You can read the entire review I wrote on them here.)// SHIRT: Old Navy (An oldie but a goodie. I like that this chambray button up isn’t overly fitted. It’s also just the right price!) // SHOES: Talbots (I found these secondhand but they are quite similar to this pair that I’ve been eyeing. I’ve decided to embrace the short heel for my #momwardrobe) // BAG: Old Navy (This bag has held up surprisingly well for the price. If you’re looking for another affordable option that is a little higher quality, I’d try this reversible option) // SWEATER BLAZER: J.Crew (It’s an all time favorite. I have an entire review on it here. I may or may not have just purchased it in a third color…) // SUNGLASSES: Amazon (These are some of the only sunglasses I own because for $10 they can’t be beat. Especially by someone notorious for sitting on and breaking sunglasses.)// LIPSTICK: BeautyCounter
BLAZER: J.Crew (it’s so comfortable and goes with just about anything. I’ve purchased it in multiple colors and have an entire review on it here. Sizing note, it does run very large. I purchased a XS and it fits well where I’d normally be a small or medium) // BLOUSE: J.Crew (This is a new addition to my wardrobe and I’m so happy about it. It’s machine washable but looks and feels like a silk blouse. I sized up to a 6 when I’m normally a 2 or 4) // JEANS: J.Jill c/o (These are actually denim leggings but you could never tell by looking at them. They look like skinny jeans and feel like skinny jeans only I’d recommend sizing down. You can read the entire review I wrote on them here.) // SHOES: Chanel (These are another secondhand item that are worth the money in my opinion. I just love that they are a classic staple and go with anything. However that being said, these look very similar but without the designer price tag.) // SUNGLASSES: Amazon (These are some of the only sunglasses I own because for $10 they can’t be beat. Especially by someone notorious for sitting on and breaking sunglasses.) // BAG: Prada (Again, this is a designer item that I purchased second hand. I love Fashionphile for second-hand designer handbags as they can authenticate them and always have very reasonable prices)
Sweater Blazer (runs very big. I’m wearing an XS) // Blue Check Button Down (runs TTS. I’m wearing a 6. It’s really soft thin material) // Pull-on pants (these are THE BEST pants for work and travel because they are really comfortable and don’t wrinkle. I have an entire review here) // similar leopard print shoes // affordable tote bag (this bag has held up pretty well considering the price. This is a nicer alternative for only a couple more dollars)
BLAZER: J.Crew (it’s so comfortable and goes with just about anything. I’ve worn mine almost every day since I got it and have already purchased it in a second color. Sizing note, it does run very large. I purchased a XS and it fits well where I’d normally be a small or medium) // SWEATER: old Ann Taylor (I love this sweater for this time of year because it’s the perfect shade of holiday red. I also have and love this cashmere option, which is on sale for under $100) // JEANS: IndigoBlue Maternity (I’m not a huge fan of these jeans. They are too big on me so they fall down all the time. I should have sized down to small instead of a medium. These are my favorite non-maternity black jeans) // SHOES: Madewell (These loafers are insanely comfortable and only took about a day to break in. I’m normally a 7 or 7.5 in shoes and the 7.5 in these loafers fit perfectly) // BAG: Italian (I picked up this bag while we were in Italy but afterwards found that it looks very similar to this Ralph Lauren bag) // SCARF: J.Jill ℅ (Sadly this scarf is sold out but I found this one in a similar buffalo plaid print) // LIPS: Beauty Counter (I’ve been using this sheer lipstick for my day-to-day life because it gives so much hydration along with a gloss of color)
