Which blazer should you choose?
All men should have a selection of blazers in their wardrobe: they are good for any occasion when there’s a need to dress up a bit, but an entire suit would be too much. The blazer fills the void, so to say, between a suit and a relaxed outfit. Blazers are an amazing method of adding a whole new selection of outfits, just by pairing them with anything from jeans to a pair of trousers in a different colour. The versatility of the men’s blazer really shines through when you’re headed more than one place in the same day, and don’t have the time to go home and change. Wear the blazer with pair of grey formal trousers and a tie for work, after which you can remove the tie and switch to a pair of jeans for an evening in the city.
What is a blazer?
To put it briefly: a blazer is a jacket that is not part of a suit, but that is considered appropriate for formal events. The blazer can also be defined as the informal and versatile friend of the suit jacket.
To get the most out of your blazer purchase, it’s important to consider what clothes you already have in the closet. Blazers can be worn with a large selection of clothes, everything from a shirt and tie to a polo shirt with open neck, or even just a plain t-shirt. You can see them paired with trousers of all colours and textiles, ranging from classic white cotton or linen to grey flannel or beige chinos, and of course also with jeans.
For example, if your wardrobe contains navy blue chinos, black trousers and blue jeans, a grey blazer will make a nice contrast. If you on the other hand have a lot of grey trousers and dark jeans, a subtle navy blue or dark blue blazer would be more ideal.
Materials, colours, and patterns vary, of course, and there are different models for different situations. But, because a blazer usually is a slightly more costly investment, it could be a good idea to choose among the more classic, stylish, and timeless models.
The classic blazer
The classic blazer is also known as the single-breasted blazer, and it usually has one, two, or three buttons, but can also be found with four or five. When it comes to choosing your blazer, the fabric is one of the most important aspects.
Wool
Because it’ll do an amazing job of keeping you warm, the wool blazer is the perfect jacket for both the autumn and the winter months. The wool blazer tends to create a fairly formal look, which means they’re not the best suited for relaxed occasions. Wool blazers come in a large variety of colours, and you can pair them with several different types of trousers, from a pair of dark jeans to a pair of chinos.
Tweed
Tweed blazers have the same tendency as the wool blazers, being more formal. Tweed as a fabric has the same thickness as wool and can keep you warm in winter. When shopping for tweed, there are several types you can encounter, including twill, overcheck, striped, chequered and herringbone tweed. The tweed blazer pairs well with a pair of fitted jeans or chinos of a neutral colour. If you’re feeling brave, a beautiful green, blue or burgundy could be relevant.
Linen
Linen blazers are light and airy, making them perfect for the warm summer months. They are a popular choice for summer weddings, and they come in a variety of colours. That means you can always find one that fits the occasion as well as your style. Linen blazers are commonly found in the classical colours, such as navy blue or beige, which means that they’re timeless and a perfect choice for your wardrobe.
Velvet
Because of the luxurious fabric, a velvet blazer will always look formal. That means they tend to work best for the formal events. A velvet jacket will work well with a pair of black or grey formal trousers. A velvet blazer can also be dressed down with a regular white or grey t-shirt. A pair of Chelsea boots or brogues could be a stylish way to finish the look.
Fit
A blazer should fit the same way as a sports jacket or suit jacket.
The shoulders are critical – the shoulder seam must not go past the end of your own shoulder. If the choice is between two sizes, go for the smaller one. The fabric of the blazer will stretch slightly, and when you start wearing the blazer the fibres will loosen around 1 cm.
There should be enough space across the chest so the blazer can be fully closed. A base rule is that you shouldn’t be able to fit anything bigger than a baseball in the chest area when the jacket is closed.
Make sure that the width of the lapel is moderate: not too thin nor too wide.
Summary
The blazer today is an extremely versatile piece of clothing and is considered appropriate for each and any situation, relaxed or formal. It can be combined with a large variety of clothes. Before purchasing a blazer, you should know that it’s likely to become your most stylish, classic, and versatile addition to your wardrobe.