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The Compass  /  Style  /  How to Choose a Blazer

How to Choose a Blazer

how to choose a blazer

How To Choose A Blazer That Works For You

It’s back to school time and that means it’s blazer season. In the late summer and early fall, when the weather fluctuates between balmy and blustery a blazer will get you through it all. Choose a blazer wisely and whether it’s your freshman year, you’re fresh out of school or you’re just looking to freshen up a tired wardrobe, you’ll get an A in style this semester.

Why Choose a Blazer At All?

Blazers are powerhouses, and can be dressed up or down to any degree. Wear one to ball game and you’ll be the most stylish guy in the stands. Wear one to the office with a tie and a well-fitting pair of slacks and you’re a step up the style ladder from the average suit and white shirt combo.

The Graduate

how to choose a blazer

For a look that combines the classic gray blazer and the youthfulness of a bolder pattern, consider a gray windowpane blazer. Like that cool TA from English Lit. 101, this jacket knows how to honor the classics but is still in touch with today’s generation.

The Professor

how to choose a blazer

When you want an erudite look that doesn’t look too studied, pair a simple white shirt and solid tie with a textured navy blazer. The smart choice to mix up textures of blue (the blue knit tie, the blue jeans and blue jacket) says you’re qualified to teach a class in style and turns a stroll across campus into a lecture in good taste.

The Straight A-Student

how to choose a blazer

This light blazer will earn you a 4.0 in dressing. The understated pattern and khaki color make this jacket casual enough for the classroom with a T-shirt and jeans. Of course, after your school days are behind you, you can pair it with a dress shirt (and even add a tie) for a business casual look. Whether you’re a true businessman or a businessman-in-the-making, keeping an easy-to-wear blazer like this in your closet is a shrewd, and stylish, move.

Need some help figuring out how to choose a blazer that works with your style? Leave a comment below and we’ll recommend one for you.


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10 thoughts on “How to Choose a Blazer”

  1. ismail says:

    The blazer is a light grey & red prince of wales check design.

    Shirt, Pant and tie combinations please.

    Plaid or Paisley. Red or Navy??

    Thanks a lot

    1. Black Lapel says:

      Building outfits is not something we can do for you in the comments section of an article. That’s not what The Compass is all about.

      The good news is all you need to answer your questions is looking right back at you every time you look in the mirror. That’s because choosing the clothes to wear is not really about choosing what goes with what, but what goes with you. Looking at your skin tone, hair color and other distinguishing features, you can choose clothes that work with your coloring and then, without you even trying, the clothes will match each other. This is called dressing from the inside out and it’s the best way to determine what to wear with your jacket (or if you should even wear the jacket at all). It’s super easy and we break down the key rules of thumb in our article on How to Choose Your Clothes. For an even more in-depth look, check out the story on picking shirt colors that match you. Give those articles a look and you’ll never worry about “does this goe with this?” again.

  2. Aditya says:

    i have a little dark sky blue blazer can u tell me the combination to wear with that.

    1. Black Lapel says:

      That’s kind of like saying, “I have a chicken, what should I make for dinner?” Your options are endless and depend on your personal tastes, Aditya.

      The truth is, there is no right answer. Style is more art than science. So how do you master the art? Read the stories in The Compass’ Style Department for starters. To get ideas about how to wear this blazer, you’ve got to find a proxy. Peruse Pinterest for a stylish celebrity with whom you share some qualities (no matter what you look like, there’s one out there). Then look at he wears a similar jacket. That’ll spur ideas.

      For more on developing your style, check out the article on Knowing Yourself from our Style Series.

  3. Scott E says:

    Is there any difference between the blazers and the suit jackets? For instance is the Solid Royal Blue Blazer the same as the Solid Royal Blue Suit jacket? I like the idea of buying the suit but being able to where the jacket as a blazer. I would probably where it mostly as a blazer but having the option of also wearing it as a suit would be nice.

    1. Black Lapel says:

      To answer your specific question, the Solid Royal Blue Blazer is the same as the jacket from the Solid Royal Blue Suit. We’ve gotten this question enough to devote a whole story to it a little while back: Difference Between a Blazer and a Suit Jacket.

      By the way, we like the way you’re thinking, Scott. Solid Royal Blue makes a great blazer or a suit.

      1. Jon says:

        I wear my suit jackets as blazers “all the time”. Can’t beat that feeling of being “dressed” in jeans or chinos. Makes that WHOAAA!!! to a casual outfit…

        1. Black Lapel says:

          Good on ya, Jon. We agree, slipping a suit jacket on with a pair of casual pants can really make an outfit.

          Why stop with casual pants? A jacket with a pair of contrasting dress slacks can make for a stylish look with a shirt and tie.

  4. Talha A says:

    The first two are a little bild for me, but I love the khaki blazer combo! I’m considering buying a suit in a similar colour to the khaki above. But I’m not too sure if it will suit me.

    1. Black Lapel says:

      Khaki blazers are neutral and make for easy pairings with other clothes.

      As for pairing this one with your own coloring, you can request a swatch from the Black Lapel Concierge by emailing concierge@blacklapel.com

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