There are different ways to wear a blazer for men. Blazers can be a great addition to almost any outfit, from casual to formal, to really pull a look together. We’ll give you fashionable blazer-wearing ideas for men.
Additionally, when worn with modern-casual elements, classic jackets or blazers can create a variety of looks. Our comprehensive guide on how to wear the casual blazer extends the blazer’s use beyond formal settings.
Basically, it’s about bringing things down for more informal settings, giving you a look that is still formal and impeccable but has a more laid-back, trendy vibe.
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What is a Blazer?
A blazer is a type of jacket that is considered suitable for formal occasions. Blazers resemble suit jackets, but they do not have a matching pair of pants. Like suit jacket shoulders, blazer shoulders frequently have a more relaxed appearance. They have been around since the early nineteenth century and were first worn by the British Navy.
Men’s Blazer Types
Here are some common blazer styles!
Cotton
Summertime favorites, cotton blazers are a great choice for everyday looks. Cotton blazers achieve a casual yet polished look on the body because of their lightweight fabric.
They come in a variety of colors, but the traditional shades like navy, grey, and beige are the most adaptable. Make sure to choose one that complements your skin tone. Cotton blazers are versatile and go with many different looks, but they look great when paired with sneakers, jeans, chinos, and T-shirts.
Wool
Wool and wool blend blazers are perfect for other seasons, but they might be too heavy for the summer. To maximize versatility and longevity when purchasing a wool blazer, stick to shades of navy and grey.
Additionally, try it on before buying to make sure the cut and quality are appropriate. Once you’ve found the wool blazer of your dreams, you can create a chic, relaxed look by teaming it with jeans, chinos, sneakers, or boots.
Linen
Linen blazers are the ideal summertime clothing because of their light weight and breathable fabric, which allows you to stay cool without sacrificing style. They look best unstructured and are particularly well suited for casual and smart casual outfits. To wear one, keep your overall appearance airy and light. Avoid wearing bulky shoes and choose sandals, sneakers, or loafers instead.
Tweed
Tweed works best for winter outfits because of its weight. In fact, wearing a tweed blazer is a great way to stay warm in style while it’s cold outside. Tweed jackets are known for their timeless appeal, but they also go surprisingly well with everyday outfits. Put on a pair of dark blue jeans, a white shirt, and a brown tweed blazer to pull off the look. Alternately, choose monochrome for a clean, modern look.
Structured/Unstructured
You can choose a blazer with either a structured or an unstructured design. Structured styles are perfect for more formal occasions because they have shoulder pads and sharp, clean shapes. Unstructured blazers are more comfortable and flexible, have fewer or no shoulder pads, and are better suited for more informal events.
How to Wear a Blazer for Men?
These four suggestions for men’s blazer-friendly outfits are provided.
Blazer, T-Shirt & Jeans
Bringing the blazer down? A simple cotton t-shirt should replace the ubiquitous collared shirt and tie ensemble. But there are some guidelines to follow: stay with plain (nothing patterned or printed), neutrals (white for days and black for nights), and make sure it’s a slim fit to avoid bulkiness. A round neck prevents the temptation of a plunging v-neck sneaking under your coat and is a neater option. Last but not least, the t-shirt should end just above the waist so that nothing hangs past your jacket.
Unstructured blazers go better with the t-shirt because structured ones (canvas and lined) look a little out of place with the casual tee. Regarding your bottoms, they are jeans in a slim (trouser-like fit) wash that are still dark. A great choice for the street are minimalist sneakers, or for something a little more sophisticated, suede loafers.
Blazer, Sweater, Shirt & Chinos
This smarter blazer combination will differ slightly depending on whether you’re heading out for work or play. It’s perfect for casual Fridays or a smart Saturday lunch. Just be mindful of dress codes and stick to an unstructured blazer in a classy check (pinstripe, plaid, or light windowpane) to make a statement.
Or forego patten and chose texture, says Riley: “Choose a surface that is more casual, such as pure navy linen, which has a lovely worn appearance.”
Off-white or khaki are the ideal off-duty colors for your chinos, so ditch the office-appropriate tie for the weekends. The blazer looks good with a crisp Oxford shirt and a navy, brown, or beige sweater (pastels can look too preppy). Increase the sweater’s sporty vibe with sneakers, while choosing the classic look for the office—brogues or chunky-soled derbies.
Blazer, Roll Neck & Wool Trousers
The roll neck knit, which is this season’s must-have item, is perfect for winter. The roll neck eliminates the requirement for a tie, similar to the aforementioned t-shirt. However, it must be of a fine gauge; for layering purposes, avoid anything made of cable knit or thick fabric. Keep it simple and let the texture speak for itself, or experiment with intarsia geo-prints or jacquards for a statement knit. In a tonal outfit, texture brings disparate shades together and adds visual interest. This appears to be a blazer with a smooth finish in navy, a cream roll-neck, and charcoal flannel or tweed pants; the darker color is chosen for formal occasions and winter.
“I think the blazer can come as half of a navy suit if detailed and structured appropriately,” adds Riley: Once more, the outfit’s movement is dictated by the shoes. Conversely, oxblood or chocolate brogues or Derby boots create a look that is ideal for day to night wear. Sneakers are Sunday-friendly.
Blazer, Suit Pants, Shirt & Tie, Dress Shoes
Because of the blazer’s formality, it was designed for the workplace. But today, formal business attire is unacceptable. “It depends on the character but a superfine merino with a soft structure can be very sleek and sharp yet has a generosity due to it’s softness,” adds While there is some leeway, Riley, wear a charcoal or navy blazer and a crisp sky blue shirt (with a cutaway or straight point collar), choosing a subtle check in a dark color if you prefer patterns.
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The Rules of Wearing a Blazer
Today, there are a lot of blazer transgressions floating around men’s fashion cyberspace, so let’s go over the fundamental blazer guidelines.
Don’t Make It Part of Your Suit
One of those instances where you really need to pay attention to the details. Connoisseurs can always tell when a suit has been divided into its jacket and pants, even if it appears to be a perfectly normal jacket on the hanger. The jacket’s finish and structure are too formal, which interferes with the laid-back vibe you’re going for and completely ruins the ensemble.
Your Blazer Should Be Shorter in the Body
The traditional rule of thumb states that your jacket’s hem should fall around your thumb knuckle, which is located between the tip of your thumb and the point where the joint meets your palm. Although it shouldn’t be excessively long, your blazer should cover your ass like a good lawyer’s does.
Your Blazer Fit Should Accommodate Additional Layers
A suit jacket is designed to fit one or two layers underneath—a shirt and a waistcoat—and is tailored as such. On the other hand, a blazer ought to be fitted to allow for layering. You’ll be happy you have the option of wearing knitwear underneath your blazer when the cold weather arrives.
Employ Different Colours, Fabrics & Patterns
In order to distinguish between good style and truly great style, don’t be afraid to be bold and inventive. Try wearing bold, solid-colored blazers, timeless prints and patterns like stripes and checks, and a variety of fabrics, from linen to velvet. If you choose to go this route, your blazer should make a statement, so be sure to use restraint elsewhere.
Have More Than One in the Wardrobe
This complements the preceding guideline. The opportunity to experiment with a variety of brands and styles is provided by your collection of blazers. So that you’re prepared for anything, stock your closet with a variety of affordable and expensive items. When it comes to shopping during the sales, remember that blazers are frequently the last items to go on sale.
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