A closet essential, once you’ve learned how to style a blazer, you’ll wonder how you ever got dressed without this tailored masterpiece. Adding instant sartorial elegance to any look, a blazer will easily become your go to jacket.
For many years, only high-flying corporate women donned the best blazers, but now this structured jacket has become an integral part of many a fashionable woman’s wardrobe. A building block for a capsule wardrobe, it’s hard to think of an outfit that wouldn’t work with a blazer. From traditional office wear to jeans, blazers have the knack of being able to pull any outfit together, even elevating a pair of leggings into something much more stylish.
“Blazers work for everyone regardless of age, size or style, plus they can be styled in so many ways – dress them up with heels and tailored trousers to create a sleek smart silhouette or pair them with jeans and trainers for a great casual outfit,” says presenter and stylist Emma Lightbown (opens in new tab) when discussing a blazers amazing versatility
When it comes to which blazers to stock up on, unsurprisingly, neutral hues will always be great investments. A black or navy blazer will see you through most occasions, but directional blazers in quirky prints or pastel shades are an easy way to inject a touch of color into any plain outfit and tap into the fashion color trends 2022. When it comes to shapes, oversized is still very much the fashion trend 2022 isn’t letting go of, however, there are still lots of other shapes available if you’re after something a little more tailored.
How to style a blazer – inspirational outfits from a fashion editor
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1. How to style a blazer with midi dresses
The best midi dresses are super versatile and can take you from work to cocktail hour, and, matched with a blazer, they can make your midi dress the hardest working item in your wardrobe.
There are so many ways to wear this look. An oversized blazer looks chic over a slip dress, whereas a shorter belted jacket gives a great vintage vibe to a print midi. While you may instantly reach for your trusty black blazer to throw on over your dress, try styling a blazer in the same tone as your dress for a sleeker and more directional finish.
A blazer and midi dress also make a great pairing for dressier events – especially if you shy away from barely-there party outfits. Adding tougher edge to a dress, utilizing a blazer gives a touch of androgyny to more feminine outfits, but will also help to shape your silhouette. Whether wondering what to wear on a first date or to a wedding, this combo will tick all the boxes.
Styling tip: “The key things to consider when pairing a blazer with a midi dress are the shape of the dress and the length of the blazer”, says Emma.
“A slimmer fitting midi dress such as a simple tank dress or slip dress will look fantastic teamed with a longline blazer, which is great if you prefer that extra bit of bum coverage! If you have a smock or A-line dress, try a shorter or cropped blazer, as this will prevent too much bulk around your waist and hips.”
Fashion editor’s picks…
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M&S Satin Look White Blazer
RRP: $125 / £69 | A white blazer is a stylish alternative to black that will instantly make you look more pulled together. The satin sheen of this slim blazer from one of the best British clothing brands, M&S, makes it ideal for any evening outing or formal occasion.
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Mango Flower Print Dress
RRP: $59.99 / £29.99 | If you’re looking for a floral dress that will see you through the year, try this pretty red number. Great with your best sandals and a basket bag on hot days, and, when the weather cools add tights, the best Chelsea boots and a knitted cardigan.
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ASOS Strappy Mules
RRP: $37 / £29.99 | The barely-there sandal continues to be one of the most stylish shoe trends 2022 has to offer. A mid-height kitten heel, like these, offers comfort and style in one and will go with everything in your summer wardrobe. Also available in wide fit.
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2. How to style a blazer with tailored trousers
If you’re stationed in the office more often these days, a blazer added to a pair of tailored trousers makes a smart, yet stylish, summer outfit for work.
While a suit may feel a little old-fashioned, matching your blazer to your trousers is actually a very modern option. To make it more contemporary, however – and if your job allows – ditch boring black and go for a zingy sherbet or pretty pastel colour. Alternatively, mix and match neutral trousers with patterned or colored blazers. If your working environment is more corporate or you’re wondering what to wear to a job interview, neutral shades such as navy, cream or black are your best bet. To keep this look directional, pay attention to the tailoring and detail, opt for slimmer cuts to keep the look professional.
But remember, this look isn’t just for the boardroom, tailoring is playing an ever-increasing role in the fashion landscape for both casual and evening occasions. Try adding a graphic t-shirt and a pair of your best white trainers for a look that straddles smart-casual to perfection.
Styling tip: For a sleeker silhouette, wear either a slim-fitted shirt under your blazer or add a simple camisole or silky tee. The blazer should be the focal point – after all, you want to show you mean business!
Fashion editor’s picks…
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Ann Taylor Petite Blush Blazer
RRP: $169 / £191.45 | Pastels make a summery choice for a blazer – and a brighter and lighter alternative to black. As well as teaming with matching trousers, it will go perfectly with denim or a white pleated midi skirt, giving a softer finish.
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Ann Taylor Petite Blush Trousers
RRP: $98 / £111.02 | Create a coord, and team the blazer with the matching, slim-fit pants, with an ankle-skimming cut. In a versatile blush hue. They’ll look polished for work with a white shirt; for play team it with a grey t-shirt and trainers.
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River Island White Camisole Top
RRP: $34 / £18 | A camisole top is one of those wardrobe essentials that every woman should own. Literally going with everything, a silky cami is much smarter than a vest top, offering instant, easy glam. This one has adjustable straps too.
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3. How to style a blazer with jeans
When it comes to how to style a blazer with jeans, you can afford to be more playful as denim goes with pretty much everything. Try bright colors, eclectic patterns and interesting cuts, such as cropped blazers – as they highlight a waist – making them perfect with baggier mom jeans.
An oversized blazer meanwhile, works particularly well if you’re wondering how to style straight-leg jeans. The straight leg helps to balance the oversized blazer, but make sure to keep the rest of the outfit simple – a vest and chunky trainers or sliders create a super cool, relaxed look.
A tan, navy or khaki blazer looks effortlessly chic when styled as part of a white jeans outfit, particularly if you’ve opted for a leg-lengthening wide-leg. The contrast of the neutral hues will really pop – particularly in the summer months.
Styling tip: Celebrity stylist Natalie Robinson (opens in new tab) says looking for interesting accents can help your blazer elevate your look, without being too over-the-top.
She says: “When styling a blazer with jeans, for example, I suggest wearing one with colorful/leopard print lining together with a white t-shirt and jeans. Roll up the sleeves of the blazer to 3/4 length for a casual/smart look accentuated by a pop of color.”
Fashion editor’s picks…
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New Look Cropped Orange Blazer
RRP: $40.44 / £33.99 | Inject a dose of cheeriness into your wardrobe with New Look’s jacket. The cropped style is perfect for rectangle body shapes as it creates curves. Great for pairing with high-waisted trousers, it elongates your lower torso too.
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Zara Ripped Light Denim Mom Jeans
RRP: $45.90 / £29.99 | Mom Jeans are comfortable, easy to wear, and offer so many new outfit possibilities, and are ideal for learning how to style a blazer. Take them from casual to smart by adding a blazer and the best designer heels for a night-out-ready look.
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Nike White Huarache Trainers
RRP: $125 / £114.95 | Originally for marathon runners, the Huarache trainer is the second biggest-selling style for Nike in the US. Chunky trainers have had a style resurgence and this design looks as good with jeans as it does with skirts – running optional.
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4. How to style a blazer with pleated skirt
While pleated midi skirts have long been a stylish wardrobe option, it can often be difficult to know what to wear with a pleated skirt.
Pleated skirts are great for skimming figures, however, unless you tuck your tops in, they can cause excess bulk. If you normally wear the most stylish dresses to hide a tummy, then learning how to style a blazer with a pleated skirt will offer you another figure-flattering option. A well-tailored blazer skims a silhouette and adds structure to the floaty nature of the skirt, making you look pulled together and more streamlined for work or play. If you want even more structure, add a belt or belt bag around your blazer – a great trick for hourglass body shapes as it emphasizes the waist more.
For a chic look, choose tonal shades, but if you want to have some fun, mix a patterned skirt with a block colored blazer.
Styling tip: Don’t forget the one celebrity trick to instantly make you look more glam… Shoulder robing. This is where you drape your blazer over your shoulders in a cape style, instantly elevating any skirt outfit or midi dress into pure A-list territory.
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Boohoo Plus Belted Jacket
RRP: $80 / £38 | If you regularly shop from the best plus size clothing brands, check out this black-belted design. In sizes 16-28, the belt cinches in your waist and is ideal for layering over sleek, form-fitting bottoms, such as a pencil skirt or leather leggings.
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Warehouse Animal Skirt
RRP: $77.30 / £65 | Every wardrobe needs a touch of animal print – with this green version a fresh take on a classic. The high-waist and floaty fabric is flattering for all body types and as green is one of the big color trends of the season, this skirt is spot on.
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AND/OR Silver Ankle Boots
RRP: $154 / £129 | Metallics needn’t be saved for special occasions – these silver boots will go with everything from jeans to your favorite little black dress, adding a touch of shimmer wherever you tread. They’re ideal for what to wear to a concert too.
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5. How to style a blazer with leather
Wondering how to style leather pants? While leather trousers are the rock and roll version of a tailored pant, they can as such be styled in pretty much the same way and both work really well when it comes to learning how to style a blazer.
A black blazer will always look cool and timeless when paired with leather, however adding a pop of color and considering textured fabrics such as boucle will really elevate your look.
To balance out the usually form-fitting nature of leather pants, try pairing leather pants with a boyfriend blazer, t-shirt, and trainers for a smart-casual look perfect for a more relaxed work environment or brunch with friends. Then swap the trainers for heels, throw on some statement jewelry and you’re ready to party!
If you’re on the petite side, it’s best to choose a blazer that’s slightly more fitted to avoid being swamped by your clothes!
Styling tip: “Play around with the texture or color of the blazer rather than just sticking to black,” suggests Emma.
“Also don’t forget to add accessories – a statement necklace works great with this style of outfit and really adds that extra bit of polish.”
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Zara Green Textured Jacket
RRP: $89.99 / £59.99 | A blazer in a zingy shade is a great easy-to-wear item for your wardrobe. Sling it on over any simple outfit to stand out from the crowd and upgrade your outfit from blah to breathtaking.
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Reformation Stripe Silk Shirt
RRP: $148 / £150 | Looking for a shirt that skims, rather than clings? The vertical stripe here will elongate your frame too. Ideal for work, it also looks great tucked into high-waisted pants, teamed with chunky loafers.
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COS Leather Trousers
RRP: $450 / £290 | A forever piece, these butter-soft leather trousers are expensive, but you’ll get your value per wear. The wide barrel shape is super flattering, as it creates a lovely silhouette with tucked-in tops.
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6. How to style a blazer with sweater / hoodie
While a blazer may summon up images of the corporate world, they’re so much more versatile than that. In fact, they’re as easy to wear as your best denim jacket, replacing them in almost any casual outfit too (adding extra polish along the way).
Wearing your best hoodie or best cashmere sweater under a blazer instantly adds a dose of cool to any outfit. Layering up this way is also great during spring and fall when the weather can be rather changeable.
Most bottoms will go well with this combo – but it’s a sharp choice if you’re stuck wondering what to wear with black jeans, creating a chic, laidback look.
Styling tip: Natalie suggests keeping everything neutral when styling your blazer this way.
“Keep to neutral colors such as a beige, black or navy single-breasted blazer, for a minimal look, when styling it with a sweater or hoodie,” she says.
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All Saints Checked Blazer
RRP: $215 / £181 | If you’re nervous about introducing prints to your wardrobe, this small check – or puppy tooth – is a great way to dip your toe into the trend. The double-breasted silhouette is ideal for taller silhouettes, as it can be an overwhelming cut on petites.
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Uniqlo Black Hoodie
RRP: $29.62 / £24.90 | A black hoodie is the perfect mix between comfort and style! A transitional piece that will go with everything, the darker color makes this hoodie appear a little smarter too, so it doesn’t have to just be resigned to loungewear.
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Dr Denim Plus Black Jeans
RRP: $21 / £35 | The death of skinny jeans may have been heralded by a generation on TikTok but any style lover knows they’ll never really fall out of fashion. This high-waisted pair offer fantastic sculpting properties, for a smarter feel than jersey leggings.
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7. How to style a blazer with leggings
Like to feel comfy, yet well put together? Then team your blazer with your leggings for the ultimate in easy-to-wear.
Adding instant luxe to your look, such is the power of learning how to style a blazer, you can even add polish to leggings outfits, yes, really.
For this look, you’ll want a slightly oversized blazer – more boyfriend style than tailored, as this balances out figure-hugging, legging silhouettes. In the cooler months, wear a polo neck and boots, before swapping them out for a tee and flip-flops when the sun starts to shine.
While you can certainly wear this combo for meeting friends and weekend-errand running, it’s a particularly chic combo for covering workout clothing. Throw on a hoodie, your blazer and choose one of your best tote bags for all your gym essentials, to help your look feel coordinated – both pre-and post-workout.
Styling tip: An oversized style works particularly well with leggings for anyone wanting to skim hips or a bum and is great for balancing out pear body shapes
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ASOS Camel Blazer
RRP: $58 / £40 | This double-breasted blazer has a vintage vibe to it and can be worn open over a graphic tee or buttoned up with nothing underneath. Camel is also a great neutral that is as versatile as black. Wearable all year, it instantly lifts any look.
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Hush Black Leggings
RRP: $34.50 / £29 | Banish VPLs with a solid pair of leggings that will also help to contour your silhouette. Made from a good quality cotton with a decent amount of elastane these offer a firm fit and will keep their shape so you won’t get wrinkled knees.
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Dune London Leather Boots
RRP: $240 / £170 | One to bag for the fall 2022 fashion trends, add a pair of leather knee-high boots to instantly elevate any casual outfit. An obvious pairing for a mini skirt, they also look great over leggings or skinny jeans and help to elongate your legs.