The blazer is the most under appreciated clothing of a man’s wardrobe. With an infinite ability to dress up or dress down an outfit, this clothing essential is often overlooked and dismissed as more of a functional piece rather than having a personality all of its own. If the suit gets all the attention, then perhaps it’s time to give blazers a chance to be in the limelight.
Rules to wear a Blazer –
There’s a lot of blazer misdemeanours kicking around men’s style cyberspace these day, so let’s go over the blazer basic rules.
Don’t Make It Part Of Your Suit
This is one of those eye-for-detail moments. Even if looks like a perfectly ordinary jacket on the hanger, connoisseurs can always tell when a suit has been separated for its jacket. The jacket is too formal in finish and structure, obstructing the casual aesthetic you’re going for, throwing out the whole look.
Your Blazer Should Be Shorter In The Body
The traditional rule of thumb (literally) says that the hem of your jacket should hit around the thumb knuckle, the one between the end of your thumb and where the joint meets the palm. Your blazer should, like a good lawyer, cover your ass, but it shouldn’t be overly long either.
Your Blazer Fit Should Accommodate Additional Layers
A suit jacket is meant to fit just one (shirt) or two (shirt + waistcoat) layers underneath and is tailored accordingly. A blazer, on the other hand, should be fitted to allow for layering. When the cold weather hits, you’ll be thankful for the ability to layer multiple pieces, including knitwear, beneath your blazer.
Employ Different Colours, fabrics & Patterns
Don’t be afraid to get bold and creative, as that is often what marks the difference between good style and truly great style. Try out vibrant block colour blazers, classic prints and patterns like stripes and checks, and a range of different fabrics from linen to velvet. If you go this route, the blazer should be the statement, so make sure you exercise appropriate restraint elsewhere.
Have More Than One In The Wardrobe
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous rule. Your blazer collection is a chance to try out all kinds of different styles and brands. Fill your closet with a mix of inexpensive and pricier pieces, so you’re ready for anything. And don’t forget to shop well come sale time, as blazers are often the last items to go on sale.
How to style a Blazer –
Blazer
Blazer, T-Shirt & Jeans
Dressing down the blazer? Evict the ever-present collared shirt and tie combo and move in a basic cotton t-shirt. But there are some rules: stick to plain (nothing patterned or printed), neutrals (white for day and black for nights) and make sure it’s a slim fit to avoid bulkiness. A round neck is a neater option, and stops the temptation of a plunging v-neck creeping under your coat. Finally, the t-shirt should end just past the waist, so nothing longline dangling past your jacket.
Blazer, Sweater, Shirt & Chinos
Perfect for casual Fridays or a smart Saturday lunch, this smarter blazer combination will vary slightly depend if it’s work or play that you’re about to embark on. Just be sensitive to dress codes, sticking to an unstructured blazer for this look, in a tasteful check (plaid, light windowpane or pinstripe) to stand out a little.
Blazer, Suit Pants, Shirt & Tie, Dress Shoes
The formalities of the blazer mean its made for the office. But, nowadays stuffy corporate looks aren’t acceptable. While there is flexibility, stick to a charcoal or navy blazer and a crisp sky blue shirt (with a cutaway or straight point collar), opting for a subtle check in a dark colour if you prefer patterns.
Blazer with a Polo Shirt
A polo shirt is a fantastic option for casual blazer outfits. While the collared style is slightly more sophisticated than a standard T-shirt, it still achieves an impressive laidback aesthetic. Additionally, a polo shirt will add an athleisure touch to your look that’s perfect for right now. Just add sneakers to make things even sportier.
Blazers are a MUST for your wardrobe because they are so versatile. From casual to formal, blazers can be the perfect addition to almost any outfit to really pull a look together.