tuxedo jackets

A girl wouldn't think twice about topping off her look with a chic blazer today, but it was a different story back in 1966 when Yves Saint Laurent introduced the now iconic le smoking jacket to the fashion world. At first, editors and buyers didn't react well to Saint Laurent's collection; New York Times critic Gloria Emerson described his collection as "lumpy" and "outdated" and said Saint Laurent "strains too hard to convince the world he is hand-in-hand and eye-to-eye with the very young." However, fashion influencers like Catherine Deneuve, Liza Minnelli, Lauren Bacall, and Bianca Jagger immediately fell in love with Saint Laurent's daring menswear-inspired style, flaunting his designs all around Paris. "For a woman, le smoking is an indispensable garment with which she finds herself continually in fashion, because it is about style, not fashion," said Saint Laurent. "Fashions come and go, but style is forever." Fast forward to 2011 and it's safe to say that le smoking is here to stay. Whether you're a powerhouse working woman or fashion editrix, these jackets add a polished touch to any look. Looking for a new one to add to your wardrobe? Just peruse the slideshow to shop our ultimate blazer picks ranging from decadent investment pieces from Yves Saint Laurent to more affordable options.

There's nothing sexier than a woman dressed up like a man — done right, of course. This season's trend calls on that very notion with designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Phillip Lim, and Michael Kors showing off their renditions on sexy menswear for Fall. In our stylish dreams, we'd be able to afford it all but not so much in real life. Luckily, fashion doesn't discriminate. We found ten tuxedo inspired options, ranging from polished blazers to sleek shorts, all priced under $200. Amazing, yes? Listen up to our three styling tips below before you start shopping:

• Temper this masculine trend with statement jewelry and an equally bold red lip.
• Black and white combos will always look good but don't forget to mix things up with lighter, ivory hues for a Chanel-inspired look.
• Pair a crisp tuxedo shirt with skinny blue jeans and a pair of heels for an effortlessly chic look.

Now flip the slideshow to shop the tux luxe trend for less.

If you want a lesson in how to get the most out of your tuxedo jacket, just look at Kate Moss. She's worn the chic little style with almost everything, from leather dresses to striped pants to shorts. If you weren't sure of the tuxedo jacket's versatility, just take a look at how one of the world's greatest supermodels styles hers. A tuxedo jacket is a great investment, it takes you from day to night, and it never really goes out of style: case in point — we highlighted the tuxedo jacket as one of Fall 2011's most wearable trends.

We've seen the collections, picked up the trends, and now it's time to decide just what we'll be wearing from the runways. There were major themes — layering, minimalism, and modern tribal among them — but how do those big ideas apply to you? We've sifted through all the looks, and here are our top 15 most chic and wearable trends coming from New York Fashion Week.

The New York-based mother/daughter designers of Contrarian are focused on creating inventive, wearable fashion at a contemporary price point. Their first complete collection for spring 2010 shows influences coming from Japanese fashion design, New York street style, and Edwardian codes of dress. The conflicting references mix together in the form of backless button down shirts, mid-length full skirts, long tail tuxedo jackets, smart waistcoats, and apron dresses. Click below for our favorites looks from the collection.