The blazer is a staple addition to every guy’s closet. Men should have this essential piece because it can be worn dressed up or down. This is a versatile item which is suitable for the office, nights out, or less formal events. Men who want to instantly look dapper and stylish often go for blazers due to their classic shape and cut.
While it cannot offer protection from the elements, it is a great piece to wear whenever the weather is in an in-between phase. They are also better alternatives for wearing indoors compared to jumpers or cardigans. If you want to look good while wearing a blazer, make sure you know how to choose the right blazer fit and style. Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind when buying one.
How To Choose a Blazer: Tips for Selecting the Right Blazer
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Get the Right Measurement
First, you need to determine your chest’s measurement. Wrap a tape measure under your arms and make sure that it crosses the shoulder blades and the widest spot of the chest. The dimension that you get in inches will correspond to the blazer size that has the best fit for your body. The goal here is to look tailored, so the measurement is crucial.
Next, you need to get a measurement of your overarm. Put your arms down to your sides and measure them all over the shoulders using the measuring tape. The difference between this and the measurement for the chest is typically 7 inches. In case the difference is higher, the blazer requires a larger size to offset the additional material required to cover the shoulders and the arms.
Take into Consideration Blazer Cut and Style
Blazers come in a good range of styles and cuts so you need to choose what you like best among them as soon as you have the required measurements. Those with a single-breasted style are totally versatile and most men look good in them. For a more formal look, you can opt for a double-breasted type blazer. The double-breasted ones are also great for office wear.
Consider the Color
Men’s blazers also come in a nice array of colors and designs. The trick here though is to select a color that will easily suit the items of clothing that you already have in your possession.
Frame
All bodies aren’t built the same which means not every single blazer can look good on everyone. Understanding what works for you and what doesn’t is the key to finding blazers you can rock confidently. Slimmer and tall builds can get away with wearing most blazers however if you’re shorter, blazers that elongate your frame may work best for you. If you’re a little chunky, no problem because a relaxed blazer with no structure will fall naturally and highlight your body without the extra bulk.
Structured or unstructured
Structured blazers are made with fabric, canvas, lining, and shoulder pads. The canvas is meant to shape the jacket and bulky shoulder pads are added to give that broadened look. Unstructured blazers on the other hand have minimal lining, shoulder pads, and canvas making them less bulky and more inclined to take the shape of the wearer’s body.
When choosing a blazer, determining whether you want the traditional formal look or a relaxed look comes into play. Fortunately, no matter where you go you’ll have no shortage of options between the two.
Formal or Casual
How you want to wear a blazer ultimately plays a role in the blazer you end up picking. After all, you can’t bring a double-breasted blazer on a date and a casual blazer to your business meeting. Pick blazers that match the occasion and settings you will wear them to.
Reserved and neutral colors are best for the formal look and bolder, more casual blazers are perfect for more relaxed occasions. The same applies to materials: reserve the finer materials like velvet, corduroy, and wool for more formal settings and embrace cotton, linen, and tweed for days out on the town.
Buttons
The buttons may be an insignificant part of the blazer to the regular wearer however for someone that goes into the details to make sure personality shines through, buttons matter. Most blazers come with standard gold or silver buttons however exclusive buttons are still as flashy today as they were decades ago.
When picking your blazer, make sure the color contrast of the buttons flatters your features and is something you can wear confidently. Fortunately, you can always find buttons you like and switch them out yourself if your local shops don’t offer this luxury. The possibilities can be endless if you go with the latter as you can style the same blazer differently for different occasions.
Check out Fabrics
The material that a blazer is made of is also something that you need to factor in. The weather is an aspect that will help you decide on the material; for colder weather, you can invest in 1-2 wool pieces, and for hotter weather, have some made with cotton or silk. The environment you often work in will also help you select the right blazer fabric. Furthermore, you should check whether the item is washable or needs dry cleaning for maintenance.
Wearing a Blazer
You have found the perfect blazer, and now it is time to wear it the right way. If you have selected a blazer in a neutral tone for office wear, you can wear it with oxford shoes and collarless shirts for a stylish and dapper look. If you want a friendly, business-casual approach to your dressing, you can wear it with a nice white shirt and boat shoes.
If you want a blazer for stylish outings around town, you can opt for those made with jersey. Select a blazer in block colors and match it with striped tops for tons of style. Going to a party without a black tie dress code? Go for a blazer with vivid colors like electric blue or emerald green.
Blazers are also a great clothing choice for weddings. Look for those made of velvet or tweed material and match them with more formal pants and a bow tie, or a simple tie. If you are after a more elegant look, you can pair a blazer with pinstripes with white pants.
The blazer is an important piece in your wardrobe because it is not only a flexible item, it will also provide your look with loads of style. They can be found in most department stores, and most online stores also sell numerous brands that you can check out.
Samoel Ovanessian is the founder and creator of StylishAlpha.com – a website dedicated to men’s fashion. As a proud owner of more than 200 ties, he loves digging through new clothing combinations for everyday use, formal events and even just for fun. You can read more about Samoel here.
