How to Wear a Blazer: 5 Ways to Style a Blazer

A blazer is similar to a suit jacket but is cut a little looser and often has stylized metal buttons that make it better for casual outfits. Whereas sports coats have patterns that coordinate with pants, blazers tend to be solid-color jackets with contrasting buttons. Blazers are highly versatile and customizable, making them easily go with many different outfits.

The blazer was once a fixture for men’s fashion; a classic, single-breasted navy blazer with gold metal buttons was part of business casual menswear. (The navy color nods to the blazer’s roots as the outerwear worn by boating club members.) Now, blazers can be for various casual looks and are worn by all genders, inspiring many outfit ideas.

Dress codes will dictate when blazer outfits are acceptable. As a rule of thumb, blazers are the main article of clothing for smart-casual looks—if you can wear a cardigan to an event, you can rock a casual blazer for that same occasion. A blazer is too casual for semi-formal and formal events like weddings, funerals, and galas.

You can pair a blazer with jeans, a V-neck shirt, and loafers for a casual date night look, wear a blazer to a dinner party with chinos and a white shirt, or sport a blazer at the office with dress shoes and a dress shirt if your office dress code allows.

Blazers come in a variety of different materials and styles, including:

1. 1. Wool blazer: Wool blazers have a refined material and can look dressier. Plus, they’re great for colder months. Since these can look more formal and are best for the winter or fall, they pair nicely with dark jeans or even corduroy.
2. 2. Linen blazer: linen blazers are lighter and better for warmer weather. They can work well at beach events and come in various brighter colors. These tend to be more informal.
3. 3. Cotton blazer: Cotton blazers are similar to linen ones but are a tad heavier while still breathing nicely. Cotton blazers may be an excellent addition to your wardrobe if they are acceptable office wear; a blue blazer can pair with many different professional outfits.
4. 4. Tweed blazer: These professorial blazers are thicker, more formal, and have a retro look. They often come in more muted colors, from grays to olives.
5. 5. Velvet blazer: Velvet blazers have a unique feel and dynamic look. The fancier material of a velvet blazer lends itself to more formal outfits, making it stand out as a more fashion-forward look.
6. 6. Single-breasted blazer: These blazers have a single column of buttons and a thin overlap of left side over right when you clasp the buttons and close the blazer. This common blazer type is casual.
7. 7. Double-breasted blazer: Double-breasted blazers have two sets of buttons and a wider overlap of one side over another. These types of blazers are more old-fashioned and formal.

Blazers can give a smart look to your outfit, supporting your ensemble and bringing it together, or popping as the star of the show:

1. 1. Go simple with jeans and a T-shirt. A beige blazer can go over your tucked-in T-shirt with a pair of jeans and sneakers, elevating your outfit and bringing it a step above casual.
2. 2. Add a scarf for extra flair. A large scarf can pair well with your blazer during the fall and winter, especially when the scarf and jacket are of different colors or patterns.
3. 3. Wear a blazer with chinos and dress shoes. For a more smart casual outfit, wear a gray button-up, tan chinos, and colored blazer to make it the focal point of your outfit. If your office is more laid back, this may be the perfect outfit for the workplace.
4. 4. Throw a blazer over your dress. An oversized blazer can work well with a midi dress. If your dress is patterned and colorful, your blazer should be more monochromatic to not compete with your dress.
5. 5. Wear with a crop top. A blazer can go well with your crop top and a pair of high-waisted pants. Keep your blazer and crop top in contrasting colors, or your blazer can match your pants to make the crop top stand out.

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