Jackets and blazers used to be essential parts of a woman's wardrobe. Nowadays, while the average woman owns at least one blazer, she's probably not sure just how to wear it.

The rise in the popularity of more casual clothing, even at the office, has placed women's blazers on the back burner, but the trend is turning around. True to their name, blazers have come blazing back. Through some hot design updates and new style rules, blazers are once again at home, in offices, on dates, and even at movie premiers.

When it comes to blazers, women state their top fashion concerns as being:

• That it will look masculine or severe.

• That it won't fit in with their wardrobe.

• That the blazer will accentuate their least favorite features.

Yet you'll often see a model, Hollywood starlet or a stylish everyday woman wearing a blazer and showing it off perfectly. You can do it too, and without a personal stylist or trainer. All you need to know are some basics about dressing for your body type, as well as ways to update the classic blazer for a hot look.