Why are bolero jackets today an integral part of any women’s wardrobe, regardless of whether it is the standard size or a plus size bolero jacket? There are several reasons for this but before going into the details, a look at the origins and the evolution of the bolero jacket will be in order.
Bolero jackets are of waist length and open in the front. The jacket was very convenient for women in the past as it could be worn over a blouse while the skirt below flared out — a common outfit especially of the aristocratic class in the past. Today, of course, the trend is to keep the front open so that the dress or any outfit worn below the bolero jacket is visible.
Around the 1990s, the bolero jacket fad diminished partly even though women of heavier build wearing a plus size bolero jacket bucked this trend. It remained as popular as it always was due to its exceptional convenience which will be discussed later here. But standard size bolero jackets took a dip. It was left to Yves St. Laurent, the famous French designer to revive the bolero jacket in the late 1990s. He introduced it on the ramp and the piece of clothing caught on like a house on fire. After this, there has been no looking back for the bolero jacket.
While the jacket has a universal appeal, a plus size bolero jacket has its own special demand for heavy structured women and it is not entirely due to the exclusive sophistication of the apparel. Women who are plump usually have accumulated fat around the upper arms and the mid-riff which is not easy to conceal, especially in the summer when sleeveless dresses are the norm. But a light wispy lace plus size bolero jacket with sleeves till the elbow and the wrist helps to cover these areas when worn over pretty sleeveless dresses in the sweltering heat.
The advantage of bolero jackets is that they are all-season, all-occasion outfits. In summer, a lace bolero can be worn over a dress or matched with a pair of jeans and a top while retaining the glam quotient. In winter, knitted jackets or those stitched from brocade or thicker materials help to keep the wearer warm. Again, bolero jackets are versatile and can be worn for informal outings or office wear as well as for formal occasions such as an evening dinner date.
Whether you need a plus size bolero jacket or a standard-size one, it should be a must-have for your wardrobe.
