Wearing a t-shirt with a blazer can either look really good or really bad. At the height of the t-shirt and blazer combo fashion game are Kate Moss and David Gandy, though, admittedly, it is hard for these international supermodels to look bad in anything! It’s all too easy to go wrong with this look, too.
Think early noughties t-shirts and ties – this indie-rock fit is a little outdated. However, with the ultimate guide on how to wear a t-shirt with a blazer for men and women below, you’re sure to be rocking a t-shirt with a blazer!
The T-shirt with Blazer Look Broken Down
The debate on whether a t-shirt should be worn with a blazer doesn’t seem to be simmering down, so while they are at it, let’s discuss some styling ideas for the tee and blazer look that are bound to get a nod of approval from us.
In case you haven’t guessed, we are team t-shirt with blazers as long as you play by the rule book;
Keep your t-shirt loose fitting
We get it! It’s the weekend and you’re eager to show off the gains however the slim-fitting t-shirt might look a little tacky. We’re not saying you should go a size up, just don’t go a size down.
Keep the shoes casual
Throwing in the t-shirt means you’re trying to get away from the business look. So go all out by bringing in casual shoes like sneakers, loafers or Chelsea boots to match the aesthetic.
Steer clear of bright colors, graphics, and patterns
Bright colors and graphics aren’t frowned upon completely but a clean look like this could do without all those extras. Instead, settle for stripes, or plain t-shirts to maintain the polished look.
Keep switching from crew neck to V-neck
The V-neck is great, well-established attention-grabbing piece. But sometimes it would take a lot of work to balance this outfit out. All in all, in some cases the crew neck is a safer choice. At the end of the day you can always get the best of two worlds by switching from crew neck to V-Neck and vice versa.
Always leave your blazer unfastened
In the spirit of creating smart casual looks, you don’t want to end up looking too official. Leave your blazer open and let your tee have its moment. This is why high-quality tees are recommended as it’s the star of the show. The only exception to this if you’re going for a more formal look. In which case, you can fasten your buttons.
Wearing a t-shirt with a blazer is an easy look to pull off and you likely have all the pieces ready to go at this very moment. Accessorize this look according to the event and occasion and you’ll stand out in a crowd full of collared gentlemen. This look is always in style and can be worn throughout the year as long as you bring the right blazer along for the ride.
How to Wear a T-shirt With a Blazer For Men at Play
Which Blazer?
Pulling off the perfect t-shirt and blazer look starts with finding your perfect blazer. Consider the following when you’re choosing:
Material
Cotton blazers are usually the comfiest, and an added bonus is they are natural, so their production isn’t harmful to the environment. Cotton blazers are a great option to pair with cotton t-shirts for chilled days out in hot weather. If you need a more formal outfit – say, consider tweed or linen for a work from home day.
Color
Fun, colorful blazers are on-trend and can brighten up a wardrobe instantly. However, you should consider the versatility of a colorful blazer. You’ll likely have to wear a plain top every time, and the blazer will be the statement piece every time you wear it.
Fit
This depends on what kind of events you’d like to wear your outfit too, as well as what you’re wearing it with. If you’re wearing (a) high-waisted pants, a cropped blazer will compliment your figure by emphasizing the hourglass shape. Tailored, fitted blazers are great to throw on to make your jeans-and-a-t-shirt outfit immediately smarter, but loose blazers work equally well for a more casual look.
Which T-shirt?
This is where it gets fun! Once you’re happy with your blazer, you can create endless outfits by pairing it with different tees. Here are some t-shirts you could try:
Bright T-shirts
These look great if your blazer is a neutral color, as wearing different colored tops can change your look every day! If you have a bright t-shirt, opt for a contrasting color blazer to really make your outfit pop. A great example is a light orange t-shirt and a green-blue blazer as in the below picture.
White T-shirts
You can’t go wrong with these – whether you choose a V-neck, a round neck, or a button-down, a plain white tee will work perfectly.
V-neck T-shirts
Simple v-neck t-shirts look best with fitted blazers. This is because both items of clothing have sharp angles, which combine to make a smart-casual look.
Round-neck T-shirts
These are the go-to for slouchy comfortable chic and dressing down a smart blazer.
Slinky t-shirts: Find a slinky t-shirt and wear it with your favorite smart, fitted blazer for an effortlessly cool outfit to take you into the night. A great combination is a plain white or black t-shirt with a light gray blazer as show in the below picture.
What to Wear on the Bottom
Once you’ve got the top half of your outfit sorted, you’re basically there. Here are some ideas on how to match your trousers with a blazer and t-shirt.
Skinny Jeans
Play it safe with black or blue jeans, or go crazy with colored. Either way, as long as you choose a color that goes with the top half of your look, skinny jeans are a safe bet. They make a fitted blazer and t-shirt combination look daytime put-together and look great, contrasting with looser top halves.
High-waisted trousers
Old school is back in, and if you have a cropped blazer, high-waisted trousers can look awesome!
Smart Pants
This is the most formal way to wear a t-shirt with a blazer. You can always get away with wearing this to a formal event as long as you keep the colors neutral and the shoes official.
How to Accessorize a T-shirt with a Blazer
The simplicity of this combination means you can accessorize to your heart’s content. More structured blazers that taper in at the waist look great with metal wrist watches, while looser jackets with slinky tees really go with long chains around the neck, elongating the neckline and adding elegance to a casual fit. If you decide to accessorize with a chain, choose a white tee, as it makes the chain stand out more.
How to Wear a T-shirt With Blazer for Men at Work
Choose Your Blazer Wisely
Before you start working out exactly how you’re going to style your blazer, you need to make sure you’ve got the right one! There are a few key features to look for when you’re trying to find a blazer that you can wear with a t-shirt:
Material
If you’re planning to wear simple cotton t-shirts, think about which materials and textures look good next to it. You should also consider what kind of occasions you’ll be wearing the blazer too. For example, a loose, cotton blazer can look really suave with a crisp shirt, but it can look too casual with a t-shirt underneath.
The sleekness of linen blazers and the timelessness of tweed blazers can make these a better option, as long as you like the contrast in texture between the blazer and your t-shirt. A pretty fail-safe option is a wool/blend. The speckled look of these makes them incredibly flattering when worn with t-shirts.
Color
Unless you’re feeling super adventurous, it’s best not to go crazy with the color of your blazer. Instead, choose a neutral color – like navy, gray egg, or brown – and let your tee do the talking! This also means your blazer will be able to be styled into lots of different outfits.
Fit
Again, you should consider where you want to wear this outfit combo. For a day at the office ready fit, choose a jacket that’s a little more tailored and tapered at the waist and arms. To channel an artsy, laid-back Hugh Grant-type vibe, find a looser blazer that doesn’t taper in too much.
The Perfect T-shirt
There’s no such thing! The beauty of the t-shirt and blazer combination is that it’s so versatile. Just by switching your t-shirt up, you can completely change the outfit. Generally, you can sort the t-shirts that suit blazers into three categories:
The No-nonsense Tee
Guaranteed to work with any blazer in your closet, and the go-to option for bright blazers, plain, neutral t-shirts can give your outfit an understated, effortless, and no-nonsense finish. Pair a black t-shirt with burgundy blazer and blue checkered chinos. We promise that this outfit will turn a lot of heads.
The Artsy Tee
Wear a loose striped or graphic t-shirt under a free-moving blazer for ultimate arty vibes. One suggestion – do not go overboard with graphic t-shirts. In this case the rule to follow is less is more.
The Bright Tee
Provided you’ve gone for a neutral jacket and trousers, this is your statement piece. Swap your t-shirts out to get endless virtually new looks! Try wearing white t-shirt with a white blazer and brown or khaki chinos. Add the last detail with a nice golden wrist watch or a ring. We promise you will love it.
Final Thoughts
Although wearing a blazer and t-shirt combination has long been associated with pretentious snobs, the growth in street style has seen a reimagining of this trend into something almost anybody can pull off!
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.