Men’s Blazer & Suit Jacket Guide | Fit, Style & Fabrics
Do you know why blazers are called blazers? You’d be forgiven for thinking they were named after something like the searing crimson flannel jackets worn by Cambridge’s Lady Margaret Boat Club as they sped down the River Cam, turning themselves into blazing streaks of red. You would be forgiven for thinking that, because you would be correct. Etymology: Done. Tick. Now, let’s learn how to style a blazer.
What colour blazer are most popular?
Colours in fashion come and go, but right now we’re seeing a lot of Forest Green, Brown, Cream, and Navy. Understated, classy colours but something a bit different from the classic black.
What is a blazer?
Blazers are generally pretty lightweight, pleasantly boxy suit jackets, often adopted by sports clubs and embroidered with emblems.
Blazer vs suit jacket: what's the difference?
Suit jackets are tailored to fit and perfectly match a pair of suit trousers. Blazers have a slightly looser fit, and work as stand-alone jackets with contrasting trousers, often with more detailed embroidery than suit jackets.
Is wearing a blazer too formal?
Depends. If you’re going to the gym, then yeah, probably. If not, you’re fine. Blazers are far more flexible than a suit jacket on account of that boxier fit.
How should a suit jacket fit?
Suit jackets should be tailored to your body, cinched a little at the waist, but with movement where you need it most—around the armpits, shoulders, arms etc.
How long should a suit jacket be?
Typically the fabric should fall to just below hip height. Unless you’re an undertaker. Or The Undertaker, for that matter.
How to measure suit jacket size
We have a comprehensive guide on how to Measure For a Suit. No need to thank us—it’s what we’re here for.
Popular types of men's blazers
There are many different flavours of blazer in the Ristorante dei Menswear. Peruse the menu with us.
Single breasted blazers
Single-breasted Blazers are a little more casual than their double-breasted cousins. They have one single column of buttons, which means that the fabric of the main body of the blazer doesn’t overlap much.
Double breasted blazers
Double-breasted Blazers are more of a statement. They feature two parallel columns of buttons that cause a classy overlap of fabric. They’re slightly less versatile than the monobreasted version, but they do add a certain flair to a smart fit.
Linen blazers
Linen Blazers are lightweight, super comfortable, and specialists in versatility. Add one to your wardrobe immediately.
Tweed and wool blazers
If you want to look like you know fashion but you also know pi to thirty-seven decimal places (and why wouldn’t you?), pair a Tweed or Wool Blazer with a shirt and tie. Trust us. Dark academia chic is coming, and it is coming quick.
Herringbone blazers
For a fit that says, “I have come here straight from my six-figure-salary job, all is well in my life, and I suggest we grab a negroni and some serious bruschette.” This is your blazer. Pure class.
Birdseye wool blazers
A lot more versatile than you’d think, Birdseye Wool Blazers can make a pair of jeans look like ultra-classy formalwear. One of those style alchemy things that just works. No point questioning it, just accept it and use it to your advantage.
How to wear a men's blazer casually
The key difference between blazers and suit jackets is the blazer’s capacity to lend itself to casual looks. Here’s how to do it.
What top should you wear with a blazer?
For a casual fit, go for a classic White T-shirt, or an open-collared linen shirt. Leave the buttons undone for extra chill.
How to wear a blazer with jeans
Now, you do need to pay a bit of attention here. With darker blazers you’re better off going for darker wash denim. For greys, whites, and generally paler shades, go for a lighter wash. Also, blazers may be boxier than suit jackets, but they’re still a more tailored fit than most jeans, so don’t go too baggy with the jeans, otherwise you’ll look like you’ve just Supermarket Sweeped it through the store, and that’s not a good look. Dale Winton would not be impressed.
What trousers should you wear with a blazer?
Jeans, contrasting Linen Trousers or Chinos, Wool Herringbone Trousers… A good blazer will pair with a wide variety of trousers, so simply choose a pair that works with the colour of your blazer and the style you’re aiming for.
What blazer should you wear for different occasions?
Because men’s blazers are appropriate for all manner of occasions, it’s important to know which blazer to deploy at specific events and functions. All you need to know can be found below.
Are linen blazers appropriate for weddings?
Yes, absolutely. If you’re part of the groom’s party or are, in fact, the groom, chances are you’re going to be in a matching suit. However, a blazer with contrasting chinos is a superb option that will set you apart from other guests.
Blazers for business casual outfits
There is no business casual without a blazer. Blazers are the tightrope walkers tiptoeing along the wire directly above the meeting frontier betwixt business and casual styles.
Is it unprofessional to wear a blazer unbuttoned?
No, it certainly is not, and if your colleagues or boss have a problem with your unbuttoned blazer, you can tell them they don’t know what the absolute hell they’re on about, and show them this page. If you’re a boss or a colleague reading this right now—we said what we said. You heard.
Casual blazers for weekends and evenings
An unbuttoned blazer with jeans and a T-shirt hits the perfect tone for casual weekend activities.
The best blazer fabrics for every season
Say it with us—you know how this one goes: Sticks for a drummer, wood for a splinter / Linen for summer, wool for winter.
Just made that up. Happy with it.
What blazer is best for layering?
Blazers tend to work best as an outer layer since they’re often a bit of a statement piece. When layering, you’re generally looking for something boxy and light. For these reasons, we’re opting for linen as the best blazer for layering.
Blazer, dinner jacket or tuxedo: what's the difference?
Tuxedos are ultra formal, the sort of thing you wear to a fancy awards ceremony. Dinner Jackets can be standalone jackets just like Blazers, but they tend to be a little more formal—they’re going to look insane with a pair of jeans at Sunday dinner with your in-laws. Blazers are the versatile master keys to unlock a superb fit for any situation.
