Design & Style

5 Ways to Wear a Blazer With Jeans

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Feb 23, 2022 • 2 min read

Pairing a blazer with jeans is a great way to pull off the smart casual look. Learn how to combine this classic piece of formal wear with a fresh pair of denim jeans.

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What Is a Blazer?

A blazer is a structured dress jacket that falls somewhere between a suit jacket and a sports coat. Blazers come in two common styles: single and double-breasted. Single-breasted blazers tend to work better with a pair of jeans, but double-breasted blazers are great when you need a statement piece. Blazers come in a wide range of colors including navy, black, tan, grey, brown, and white. Fabric options include suede, cotton, tweed, linen, and polyester. You can even choose a patterned blazer, such as herringbone or plaid.

How to Wear a Blazer With Jeans

Here are the several items of clothing you'll need to consider when putting together your jeans and blazer outfit.

  1. 1. Shirt: Start by choosing what to wear underneath your blazer. Depending on the occasion, a plain T-shirt, button-down dress shirt, turtleneck, hoodie, or sweater are all sensible choices. Try to stick to neutral colors and keep patterns and graphics to a minimum.
  2. 2. Blazer: Choose a blazer according to the weather and the other elements of your outfit. Opt for a lightweight, light-colored blazer during the spring and summer months and a darker, more structured blazer during the fall and winter. Consider sticking with one central color palette for a casual look or opt for a bolder, patterned blazer if the rest of your outfit is neutral.
  3. 3. Jeans: When pairing jeans with a blazer, it's best to avoid baggy denim. Opt for a nice pair of tailored jeans instead. Raw denim tends to be stiff and can create a nice, rigid silhouette. Skinny jeans are a popular choice for this iconic combo. Light wash denim can work for more casual occasions, but a dark wash—be it blue or black—is always a sure bet.
  4. 4. Shoes: For a smart, casual look, opt for a pair of leather shoes—Chelsea boots, brogues, or loafers. If you're aiming for a more relaxed look, a clean pair of sneakers will work just as well.

​5 Outfit Ideas for Wearing Blazers and Jeans

Consider some of these examples of blazer and jeans outfits.

  1. 1. The monochrome look: Wear a black T-shirt or turtleneck under a black blazer. Throw on a pair of black jeans. Complete the look with a pair of black Chelsea boots.
  2. 2. The preppy look: A brown tweed blazer over an olive green roll-neck sweater goes great with a pair of raw denim in a dark wash. Accessorize with a pocket square.
  3. 3. The casual weekend look: For an effortlessly casual style, try wearing a black blazer with a grey hoodie. A black pair of skinny jeans and a fresh pair of white sneakers will bring it all together.
  4. 4. The business casual look: For an iconic business casual outfit, try a light blue dress shirt under a tan blazer with dark blue jeans and brown leather loafers.
  5. 5. The ambiguous dress code look: When you're not sure whether the dress code is formal or casual, you can always shoot for the middle. Try wearing a button-down white shirt under a navy blazer with dark denim. A smart pair of leather shoes work no matter the occasion.

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