Yes it’s true, the Boyfriend Blazer is back, but fashion gurus agree that you can’t just dig out your old ones from the 80’s and take them to the dry cleaners. It really is back though, joining a parade of neon colours, jellies shoes, ruffle skirts and bomber jackets. But this particular reincarnation of the top-half of the big-shouldered power suit has mellowed with age. “Today’s boyfriend jacket is not about a direct redo of that ’80s iconic look, but rather, it takes inspiration from that silhouette,” says one top fashion director. Fashion Buyers also agree that women can’t just recycle their 80’s originals. The pads extended far beyond the shoulders, but that is not the intention now. They are boxier, longer and roomier, and they are meant to be worn with layers, over leggings, with un-tucked shirts and highly accessorized.

Much of the emphasis is on the strong shoulder. Designers are drawing attention to the shoulder with puffed sleeves, draping and one-shoulder ensembles but perhaps the most dramatic strong shoulder sits on the boyfriend jacket. The difference between today’s tamer boyfriend jacket and the original 80’s silhouette is that the new look does not extend past the shoulder but merely sits at the shoulder.

“Anytime you accentuate the shoulder you make the waistline and body look slimmer. It (the boyfriend jacket) can be a flattering look if you balance it correctly with lean separates on the bottom,” one expert says.

Where once the bold-shoulder jackets were worn with primly pleated, tapered trousers or above-the-knee business skirts, today’s version is more overtly alluring and streamlined. “What really makes this look modern is the pairing. The match of the masculine, boxy cut of the blazer with the sexy pieces underneath,” says one fashion stylist “It is important that the jacket is oversized with shoulders exaggerated enough where it looks intentional, but not so oversized and exaggerated that it looks ridiculous. There is a really fine line here to giving it a clean and modern look.”

If you consider yourself fashion-forward, choose leggings or skinny jeans with a belted, un-tucked shirt or a tunic-length T-shirt to wear with your jacket. For a more classic silhouette, pair it with straight-leg trousers (never with flared or boot-cut legs, say our experts) or a pencil skirt.

Even if the shoulder pads have been deflated, a play on sleeves still takes an important role in the boyfriend jacket look. Similar to the ’80s original, sleeves can be worn down, pushed up, rolled up or cuffed. Because the look lends itself to rolled-up sleeves, manufacturers are making the jackets with stripes or designs on the linings, which in turn, encourages wearing cuff bracelets.

For maximum impact, wear your new boyfriend jackets with feminine accents such as sexy, tight tops, lacy scarves and bold accessories.

One wardrobe consultant says she sees mostly college-age women wearing the look. “It’s a very tricky wardrobe item because if you are carrying any extra weight in the hip area you can tend to look a little bit boxy,” she says. “If you can pull it off, the jacket looks best with a man’s shirt and leggings.”

Others disagree, though, and say it can look fabulous on everyone if done the right way. It’s quite a versatile look as it can be worn over a flirty, sexy chiffon dress or a miniskirt or short-shorts and it also doubles as a cover-up for cold nights; think leggings or skinny jeans.

But by far the best part about the boyfriend jacket is that it covers your butt.