How To Style A Blazer This Season And Beyond
You quite simply cannot go wrong with a blazer. Few jackets offer such a fine balance of timeless appeal and versatility, which is why it's a piece that's worth revisiting often, always ripe for reinvention. A cornerstone of any good capsule wardrobe, the blazer pairs perfectly with jeans, midi skirts, and everything in between.
Given this infinite potential, it can be worth investing in a the best quality blazer your budget allows. Modern masters in the form include The Frankie Shop, Loulou Studio and Filippa K, known for their cool-girl takes on tailoring and sustainably minded minimalism. Then there are the high-street heroes – & Other Stories and Cos among them – which consistently offer blazers that bely their purse-friendly price tags.
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As for how to style a blazer now, the possibilities are similarly broad. But it pays to turn to the street style set for the latest and greatest ways to wear this wardrobe stalwart. We've scoured snaps of the fashion-savvy between shows on the streets of London, Paris, New York and Milan for some inventive new ways to style blazers, as well as fresh takes on time-honoured formulas.
Expect blazers worn over sheer dresses, paired with tailored Bermuda shorts, or used to balance out statement skirts, alongside more classic combinations. Or you can let the blazer itself do the talking for the entire outfit, whether you're channelling the Western trend with a little suede, opting for something oversized, or going brilliantly bold and wearing it with nothing underneath. All this and more below...
10 Ways To Style A Blazer
All black
All black outfits are always a safe bet, but when you add the right blazer and just a little extra thought, they become a sartorial master stroke. Play with shades of black by combining a block-colour blazer and shirt with a pair of lighter wash black jeans for some tonal differentiation. You can also achieve this with materials, mixing wool, cotton and denim for some textural interest, while keeping things effortlessly easy. Top it off with some shades (plus a belt, if you're so inclined) and you're good to go.
Single-Breasted Wool Blazer
Cotton Poplin Shirt
Straight-Leg Mid-Rise Jeans
Sunglasses
With a statement skirt
If you're a little daunted by the idea of a statement skirt (or any statement bottoms, for that matter), pairing it with a classic black roll-neck and blazer creates the perfect entry point. Opting for a thinner merino-wool blend jumper will ensure things layer seamlessly, and you can always layer an unlined overcoat over the blazer on chillier days. To add a little street style cred to the look, finish it off with penny loafers paired with black socks pulled triumphantly above the ankle.
Merino Wool Ribbed Roll Neck
€195.00 at artknit-studios.com
Printed Midi Skirt
Tencel Lyocell-Blend Blazer
£383.23 at net-a-porter.com.uk
Penny Loafers
A twist on traditional tailoring
You might well be familiar with jorts, but how about tailored Bermuda shorts? Worn with a blazer, this on-trend style is a welcome twist on traditional tailoring that will change up your workwear wardrobe and gain plenty of office style-icon points in the process. The blazer and shorts needn't match; in fact, opting for standalone pieces might make you more inclined to wear each as a separate. Try tying in herringbone and black – with a pop of burgundy for good measure.
Hutton Blazer
$350.00 at withnothingunderneath.com
Relaxed-Fit Poplin Shirt
Tailored Bermuda Shorts
Pointed Slingbacks
With a midi skirt and boots
What could be more classically chic than a black taffeta midi skirt, a crisp white shirt and a great pair of boots? All three topped off with a foolproof blazer, of course. Opting for an oversized fit adds a little edge to this somewhat formal outfit, while incorporating frilled detail on the shirt or blouse gives a touch of femininity that will peep through the boxy blazer. It's well worth investing in a great pair of black knee-high boots here, as they'll see you through season after season.
Frilled Blouse
Wool-Blend Blazer
Midi Skirt
Leather Knee Boots
£810.00 at net-a-porter.com.uk
The high-low
Variety is the spice of life, especially when it's incorporated into an outfit. Thrown on over bleached blue jeans and a super-soft white long-sleeved top, a blazer can playfully hint at formality while maintaining a chic air of nonchalance. Finding a more relaxed silhouette, such as this jersey Norma Kamali style, is the perfect way to make this high-low outfit formula work time and again, whether it's a relaxed day at the office or a lunch date requiring a little more effort than 'pull on jeans and go'.
Oversized Stretch-Jersey Blazer
Cotton-Blend Top
Tess High-Waisted Jeans
£200.00 at 7forallmankind.co.uk
Leather Biker Boots
Belted
Bored of your blazer? Adding a belt will add a whole new lease of life to this wardrobe classic – as well as delivering a more defined silhouette. A great street style secret to emulate is a double belt, looped twice around the waist for added interest (and if your budget doesn't stretch to YSL, look to London-based brand Saint + Sofia). We also love the idea of pairing a pinstripe blazer with acid-wash jeans, all dressed up a notch with white leather slingbacks.
Double-Breasted Blazer
Double Skinny Belt
The Danielle Jeans
Patent Leather Slingbacks
Over a naked dress
Naked dressing is a trend that's proved its serious staying power, but if you've been hesitant until now, consider pairing this most daring of styles with a classic black blazer. Not only does the addition offer more coverage (which you might welcome), it also smartens things up a little. It's not an all-night commitment, mind you, so if you rock up to the event or brave the dance floor and decide it's time to bare (almost) all, you can always slip the blazer off and fully embrace the naked trend.
Metallic Maxi Dress
Single-Breasted Blazer
Metallic Envelope Clutch
Mid-Heel Sandals
With a Western twist
The suede jacket is this season's must-have, and a suede blazer is even better – ideal if you want to dip a toe into the prevailing penchant for all things Western without going full Cowgirlcore. It's also the perfect way to update the classic white T-shirt and tailored trousers combination many of us have on rotation. Add a little more fun with a white bowling-inspired bag – plus a studded belt and aviator sunglasses when the sun comes out.
Single-Breasted Blazer
Cotton Rich T-Shirt
High-Waist Pleated Trousers
Mini Leather Bowling Bag
Oversized
Going oversized is a surefire route to looking put-together while also keeping things more relaxed. A blazer – and a suit, for that matter – is no exception, achieving that elusive 'effortless' quality while still feeling smart enough for an event or important day in the office. For extra style points, go for oversized styles in a shade of brown, tied in with accessories in rich chestnut and burgundy hues.
Wool-Twill Blazer
Wool-Twill Straight Leg Trousers
Épure XL Leather Tote Bag
Gillian Ankle Boot
With nothing underneath
The decision to try the brilliantly bold 'with nothing underneath' blazer trend also presents the opportunity for some fashion-flavoured maths. As you're not spending on anything to wear beneath, you can dedicate more funds to the blazer itself: foolproof. Questionable calculations aside, an Alexander McQueen blazer will last a lifetime (and beyond), and is heaven worn simply with Cos trousers, a JW Anderson bucket bag and Otiumberg hoops.
Crepe Blazer
Tailored Wool Slim-Leg Trousers
Small Corner Bucket Bag
Stratis Hoops
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