Finviui: Closet Essentials - The Classic Blazer.

This probably isn't the first time - and it won't be the last, that I've mentioned the importance of having a fine classic blazer as part of your wardrobe. Be it for work purposes, or to pull over your outfit for a more glammed up look, the blazer is too essential to be missing. The very reason why it is the choice of outerwear for the office makes it the ideal piece that polishes up your look in an instant, yes, even when you're not in your most glamorous pair of heels.

The ideal blazer that will take you absolutely anywhere from casual to formal is one that:

sits around your hips,
has one functional button - that upon buttoning up, the fit is perfect (i.e. not ruched awkwardly anywhere or still has way too much room),
has two symmetrical lapels running down the front, and
is structured and shapely (having very slight padding gives the illusion of broader shoulders and a more upright poise).

Take Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rachel Bilson for example.

Blazers are definitely my choice of outerwear if I have any events to attend, from date nights, to wedding dinners and a girls' night out. It keeps you warm from the chilly a/c and it polishes up your outfit right away. Leave it unbuttoned for the relaxed but chic look.

For a casual day-look, roll/fold up the sleeves half way to your elbows.

Besides the essential, perfect fit blazer, you can spend less on other blazers that can transform different outfits to channel different looks.

Longer cuts or boyfriend blazers can give off those edgy, cool vibes. Jessica Alba, Miranda Kerr and Kourtney Kardashian shows you how to pair the boyfriend blazer with all kinds of looks.

Cropped blazers work well with girls of petite frames as they give the illusion of a longer body. Rachel Bilson may be 5'2", but she certainly knows what works for her figure and style.

With so many choices out there, you know you're not restricted to just having black blazers as a classic piece, but you know black is definitely your safest bet. But you could always try white, which is as versatile as a black one. Take cues from Hayden Panetierre, Eva Longoria as well as sisters Kim and Kourtney on taking the white blazer from formal to casual. Might I just point out that Kourtney did great pairing her white blazer with her bright, flirty romper - such a fun look!

Cream or ivory-colored blazers are less flashy than their white counterparts, but they work equally well with all sorts of outfits. Experiment outside of pairing it with basic colors, look at what wonders colors did for Kourtney Kardashian and Blake Lively!

I would say grey comes in second after black, for me. It's another corporate-wear color so it would definitely do well in outfits for work and for play. Rachel Bilson cleverly combines all the basic colors in one palette, matching her grey blazer with nude colored boots.

Lauren Conrad swears by blazers and she created marvelous ones for her Paper Crown collections. Check them out here! Absolutely loving the camel one she has on, it's so unexpected but so versatile!

Victoria's Secrets model Lily Aldridge makes an appearance in a simple outfit pulled together by a blue blazer. I'm loving the shade of blue, it's not loud and I imagine it's gonna work well with tons of looks.

Have fun with fashion and get them in fun, bright colors. You can wear them with basic colored clothing like black, white or grey, or try color-blocking! It's very Spring/Summer 2011, it's still in vogue this Fall/Winter 2011. Try a patterned one like Emma Roberts did.