I can’t think of another garment type as specific as the blazer that goes through as many transformations over the course of seasons and trend cycles. They’re long, they’re short, pockets, no pockets, double breast, single breast, lightweight, heavy, embellished, plain. This must be why they never go out of style — they’re always changing with the style, even if at times they can seem dated. Maybe they only ever start to seem dated because a shape-shifting nuance has descended.
So what makes a blazer good these days? Lately, I have been gravitating towards a single-breast, grey tweed blazer with three brown acryclic buttons down the front and two flap pockets on either side. It’s the companion to a pair of matching pants, but it looks best when styled outside of its pair.
If you’re in the market for a new blazer, I recommend considering the above guardrails, which are elaborated upon here in bullet form:
Shape: Single breast (I have one exception to this rule and it is this), 3-4 button-down (a 4-button blazer often buttons up higher, presenting the illusion of a heavy-weight shirt, which is a good thing rn), hits right at the point of hip bone. I’m not particular about how many pockets it does or does not have.
Color: This changes by season, like if you go for a brown one this year, it will probably feel very timely and useful for at least the next two, but for maximum timelessness, I recommend a mid-to-dark shade of grey. Part of the reason why is that grey functions like a neutral in much the same way denim does: you can dress it up or down. And does a good job chilling out more formal clothes, which also means when you’re styling it with informal clothes, you have a chance to go jewelry ham.
Material: Wool tweed. This gives it a more versatile edge, making it suitable, pun intended, in the context of a suit
But also relatable with casual basics:
Or a skirt.
Or…a skirt and jeans.
But how many ways can it be worn and what does it do for an outfit?
You can wear it as a top like in the example above, or as a contrast to lightweight fabrics
It also makes for a good bedrock layer when you’re wearing a dickie as the main event.
It can be an anchor within a look of extras
The interior layer of another made-up suit:
Or the vessel you choose to justify wearing two belts.
I especially like it to add dimension to a party look
Or in the below instance to compliment corduroy underwear:
This is a more cropped blazer, which makes a good friend to two specific proportions: tiny shorts (demonstrated above) or skirts, or big pants/shorts like these (I have them — you can unroll them and re-roll them to adjust them to your preferred length, I prefer that they graze the floor).
And is surprisingly fun with something more disarming, like this:
Never mind that you can also always wear it as a belt…
But in the end, I think I have to say, the most satisfying way to wear a blazer now is…as a stand alone jacket.
That concludes the styling portion of this episode. Here are 5 good blazers (same collage as the one at the top) to consider if you think they’re worth the try.
this is truly one of your top 5 posts that resonates for me. so much inspiration. thank you leandra.
Love your three button make and all the styling ideas!