How to Wear a Bolero Jacket: 4 Ways to Style Boleros

A bolero jacket is a short, open-front jacket. Some bolero jackets cinch or tie at a central point above the sternum. Bolero jackets are a fixture of formal women’s clothing and eveningwear, and this stylish cropped jacket works as a fashionable cover-up for people of all genders.

The construction of the bolero jacket was inspired by the garb worn in Spanish bullfighting. In Spain, toreadors wore short, sleeveless, and stiff jackets that covered the shoulders but left the arms exposed for greater flexibility. These jackets could be decorated to distinguish various bullfighters.

Shrug and boleros are similar articles of clothing that cover the shoulders and can serve as outerwear, but there are three distinct differences:

1. 1. Material: Shrugs are often made of knit or crochet. Boleros may be made out of silk, lace, chiffon, fur, and other fine materials, often tailor-made as a form of evening wear couture.
2. 2. Sleeves: Shrugs typically have long sleeves, operating as a cropped cardigan that connects and ties at the neck. Traditional boleros are sleeveless, but contemporary variations include short sleeve boleros and long sleeve boleros.
3. 3. Dress code: Shrugs are generally casual jackets, and bolero jackets can be for semi-formal and formal occasions.

Bolero jackets make for fun statement pieces. Consider different kinds of bolero jackets and how to style the outerwear:

1. 1. Go formal with a fur bolero. A fur bolero or a faux fur bolero is a refined jacket for formal occasions. You can wear a fur bolero jacket over formal gowns and evening dresses.
2. 2. Wear a wedding bolero. Satin boleros, beaded boleros, or lace boleros can go over wedding dresses as a light jacket. You can also wear these dressier boleros with formal wear for other occasions.
3. 3. Create a smart casual look. Depending on the cut and length, some bolero jackets can be worn similarly to a blazer. Short-sleeve boleros can work as a casual outfit topper if made out of a laidback material, like cotton. You can wear a cotton bolero with a maxi dress, crop top, button-down, or even a crisp t-shirt tucked into a pair of skinny jeans.
4. 4. Try the hybrid bolero shrug. This hybrid clothing is a cross between a bolero cardigan and a shrug sweater. It may have long sleeves, be more casual, and can work well as a cover for certain office settings. These shrug/bolero sweaters can double as a unique cardigan sweater or office shawl—something to put on when you need an extra layer of warmth.

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