Brown blazers can be a hard article of clothing to pull off and not become a boring piece of garment. Depending on the blazer itself and what you pair it with, brown blazers can end up looking drab, boring, and old-fashioned. Although the first thing you may think of when you imagine a brown blazer may be an office worker in a dusty, windowless office, there are actually lots of ways to wear this item of clothing in a really flattering way.
So here we will be going through the ultimate guide to pulling off a famously boring article of clothing into something usable. Let’s get right into it!
Which Blazer?
Warm winter browns are on trend this winter, so expect to see many varieties on the (virtual) high street. Here are the features to look for when choosing a blazer:
Material
You’ll have many material options, including tweed, synthetics, and cotton.
Tweed
High-end jackets are often made with tweed, a rough, woolen fabric. Tweed jackets can look incredibly classy, reminiscent of the classic Chanel skirt suit, but they can also look old-fashioned if paired poorly. It’s also worth noting that tweed can be rough and itchy against your skin, so look for a jacket with a decent lining in.
Cotton
Cotton is a great all-rounder. It’s comfortable, as it’s a soft fiber, and it wicks up sweat, so it’s a good option if you’re in a hot country but still want to rock the winter trends. Cotton is also the best option if you’re looking to make ethical fashion decisions. Cotton is natural and isn’t extracted from crude oil, like synthetics, and it supports farmers in lower-income countries.
Synthetic Materials
These aren’t great for the environment, and they’re not as comfortable as cotton, but they are really affordable options. You could try a synthetic/natural blend to get the best of both worlds!
Fit
Don’t underestimate the importance of making sure your blazer fits you well. You should be able to lift your arms over your head comfortably and perform regular daily tasks without subsequent tearing. However, when you look in the mirror, it shouldn’t look too loose in some areas.
Given the pandemic, it may be difficult for you to try your brown blazer on before you buy it. Our best advice would be to scour the reviews. Some websites even have useful fitting guidelines.
Color
When choosing the color of your blazer, consider everything else in your closet. What will this brown blazer go with? This is especially important if the price is a big consideration in choosing investments for your closet! Think quality over quantity.
What to Wear with a Brown Blazer for Men
We can all agree that the brown blazer is a classic but worn wrong, it may give the illusion of having traveled through time. Jump on these ideas to stun in what is possibly one of the trickiest looks to pull off
Paired with a black shirt
The black and brown contrast is bound to get all the attention on you. It is a simple look to put together and you’re likely to have the pieces to get this look going in your closet already. You can pair this with khaki pants to tap into that regal look.
Another great option is to pair the brown blazer and black shirt with grey jeans or chinos for a more casual outfit.
With a Denim Shirt
Yes, we’ve seen the brown-on-denim look over the years however don’t be afraid to switch it up by bringing the denim closer to your blazer. This look is classic and is impossible to mess up because denim is always in style. Use a lighter shade of brown for the blazer and wear light brown chinos. You can add additional elegance with a blue paisley pocket square which makes a reference to the denim shirt and matches well with the other outfit elements. Suitable footwear would be blue sneakers or khaki loafers.
With the classic white shirt
A brown coat on a plain old white shirt doesn’t have to be boring. Pull together this casual look by introducing a patterned tie of red or brown and slim fit blue jeans. You can wear brown belt and either brown shoes or trainers to complete this dapper look.
Another great option is letting a few buttons loose on your dress shirt and throwing on that brown coat with your go-to laid-back shoes.
With a turtleneck
The turtle neck is always in style when it’s cold out and pairs perfectly with a good blazer. A black, navy blue, or a slightly different shade of brown is what you need to pull off this look.
With a t-shirt
The blazer on a t-shirt is a perfect look for when you want to rock a good blazer without looking like you came from the office. Pairing the good ole brown blazer with a white or black t-shirt is a good way to stun without putting in a lot of work.
Go Country
Try a fitted tweed or cotton blazer with some cropped riding trousers or fitted chinos to channel the country vibe. If you’re lucky enough to be in the countryside during the pandemic, finish the look off with black or brown boots, for a practical country walk outfit. Even if you’re in the city, this is such a cute look that you can pull off easily! Just remember to switch from boots to shoes.
Play it Sporty
Sporty made its way from the basketball court, onto the runway, in the early 2010s. Since then, the style has grown, developed, and integrated into others. Layer a loose brown blazer with a hoodie underneath, and track pants on the bottom. Choose a bright or neon-colored hoodie for an extra pop on a rainy day, but keep your track pants a neutral color. Remember, your awesome brown blazer is the statement piece!
Shades of Brown
This one’s for the ambitious fashionistas and may take a little trial and error to work out exactly which browns in your closet go together. However, getting this right transforms your outfit into a high-end, classy look. Pair different browns together – with pants, skirts, and jumpers – and see what works. We recommend going for warm browns, as they tend to blend together more, and layering your items of clothing for a sophisticated look.
Matching Blazer Suit
Great for people who need an outfit and need it now, pick up a matching blazer suit for guaranteed suave. You can find a huge selection of matching blazer suits, from tweed to plaid trousers. If you have a little more time on your hands, or you already have some brown trousers, try finding your own semi-matching blazer suit. For example, a brown plaid jacket with slightly different brown plaid pattern trousers can look really fresh!
Keep it Casual
Probably the easiest brown blazer look to pull off, you can always go for the casual option. Chuck on a plain white tee or a turtleneck and blue skinny jeans for a busy day out. Or swap the skinny jeans out for loose, torn jeans for a lazy day and a relaxed, casual vibe.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to styling your brown blazer however the rule of thumb is to keep the colors neutral. As brown is a neutral color, it works best with other neutral colors such as black, white, cream or gray and subtle prints like stripes. It doesn’t hurt to add in a pop of color once in just make sure it doesn’t bring down the entire outfit.
Also make sure to pick a brown that is flattering to your skin tone. This is especially true if you are brown or you’ve got a good tan to show off your time at the beach. The worst thing that could happen is having an otherwise good look ruined by the fact that it seems to wash you out.
What to Wear with a Brown Blazer for Men At Work
Long Day at Work Casual Look
Wear a loose light brown blazer with track pants or loose jeans in neutral colors for a comfortable, relaxed look. Pairing brown blazers with fresh, trendy items can help the outfit to not look old-fashioned.
Formal Wear to Work
The brown blazer is a great work staple, and a huge pro is that it’s a really versatile piece. For a simple, no-nonsense outfit, find a matching brown blazer, brown trousers combo. To add more variety, try a different shade of brown for your trousers, or even a plaid pattern.
This is an easy work outfit to layer, too, allowing you to stay at your optimum productivity temperature. We recommend investing in a good quality turtleneck – navy tends to work great with a dark brown!
Final Thoughts
These are some simple ideas on what you can wear with a brown blazer. The most important thing is to work out what works for you, find a brown blazer that’s comfortable, and find an outfit that makes you feel confident.
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.