With a new season right around the corner, I have fall fashion on my mind. Chunky knit sweaters, wide-leg jeans, classic turtlenecks…there are so many fun items on my pre-fall wish list! One of my favorite pieces to layer is a chic blazer. I have amassed a very impressive (or very embarrassing, depending how you look at it), collection of blazers. I love that these pieces can be styled for everything from a cocktail party to an everyday outfit. Today I am going to chat all about how to wear blazers. I’ll touch on my favorite blazer brands, advise on different ways to style these pieces, and share my personal dos and don’ts for wearing a blazer.
Favorite Blazer Brands
The first step of learning how to wear blazers is finding the perfect one. So, let’s discuss some of the best places to shop for these pieces. The market for buying blazers is overwhelming, and the price for quality is all over the map. So if you’re feeling a little confused on where to start, here are some of my favorite blazer brands for every budget!
Veronica Beard
When I think of Veronica Beard, I think of impeccably tailored pieces that feel modern, yet feminine. While I try not to be partial, many of my all-time favorite blazers are from this brand. For the price point, I find the quality and craftsmanship to be amazing and the fit to be impeccable. While their most famous blazer is the classic Miller Dickey Jacket, they have expanded their assortment to include so many versatile styles. Personally, I’ve been eyeing their Lyssa Blazer for fall.
Tuckernuck
If Tuckernuck makes it, it will probably be in my closet. This brand has been absolutely blowing me away, season after season, with their in-house labels Tuckernuck, Pomander Place, and Hyacinth House. They always seem to hit the mark when it comes to well-made items under $350 that feel relevant, but not too trendy. My favorite Tuckernuck blazer styles are this classic navy blazer under $300, this elongated fitted corduroy blazer, this cropped tweed blazer and this chic new style, which I just scooped up!
Nili Lotan
About three years ago, Nili Lotan became a brand I really gravitated towards. And after buying this blazer and wearing it non-stop on a European vacation last summer, I was sold. While they are expensive, they are some of the best cost-per-wear pieces in my closet. Additionally, they are typically thicker jackets. So if you are looking for something a little more substantial to stay warm, these pieces are excellent. I have been eyeing this chocolate brown one and this timeless one!
Zara
Wondering how to wear blazers without breaking the bank? My go-to for this are Zara blazers, which are affordable, but also quality enough to live in your closet for more than a season or two. I have a few blazers from this brand that I bought almost 10 years ago and still pull out today! Keep in mind, Zara is very seasonal. So while their blazer selection is currently slim, come September and October they will have an excellent selection. My Zara blazer collection is quite diverse, including styles that are cropped, elongated, fitted, and oversized.
Other Blazer Brands
Needless to say, this isn’t an exhaustive list, as there are so many other brands that make blazers I adore. A few of these include Smythe, J.Crew, Avec Les Filies, and lots and lots of pre-loved luxury blazers from TheRealReal, such as this one, this one, and this one.
How to Wear Blazers: Classic Ideas and Pairings
Now that we’ve covered where to shop, let’s chat about how to wear blazers for everything from casual airport outfits to elevated cocktail attire. There are so many fun ways to play around with these pieces. With a single blazer you can create a chic, streamlined look one day and more complicated layers the next!
How to Wear Blazers Over Your Shoulders
While it’s still plenty hot outside, here in Florida it’s typically freezing indoors! One way that I survive the blast of air conditioning is with a blazer thrown over the shoulders of an easy dress. This is a great way to highlight a pop color, add some warmth, and “complete” your look. You can see some examples of such blazer outfits here, here and here!
Make it Match
Looking for an easy way to wear blazers? Opt for a matching set! I love a matchy, matchy look, and there are a few different options for this. You could don a short and blazer set, a blazer and pants set, or a blazer and a coordinating skirt look. Wearing a matching set takes a lot of the guesswork out of styling and allows you to accessorize more!
How to Wear Blazers With a Belt
Wondering how to wear blazers with a belt? This is a big trend now, especially with Western-style belts. Truth be told, I’ve loved this styling of blazers for years, (check out this post from way back in 2018.) So it’s no surprise that I love how fresh it feels right now! At the beginning of this year, I shared a ton of blazer and belt combinations, and I fully stand behind all of these looks!
The key to pulling off this pairing is selecting a blazer and layers that aren’t too bulky. Additionally, the belt needs to be placed at your natural high waist. I’ve found that this is the most flattering way to wear this look.
How to Wear Blazers Layered
Okay, now let’s move on to some layered ways to wear blazers. First up, I love a double blazer or a blazer with a coat layered on top. This might be a bit much for others, but I love the depth it creates and the opportunities to mix materials. You can see how I wore one of my favorite blazers with a coat here and here. And in another look, I layered two blazers together. If you want to get really creative, you can even try layering a cape!
The trick to making these layers work is to ensure the base blazer is a bit more fitted and the jacket or blazer you are layering on top is a bit more oversized with a very generous span in the shoulders and cross back.
Layered, Take Two
Another really fun way to layer is to wear a tissue turtleneck under a great button-up layered under a blazer. It sounds like a lot, but trust me it isn’t! You can see one of my favorite examples here. And if you really want to take a risk, you can actually layer these pieces in reverse order, starting with the button up, as shown here.
How to Wear Blazers: Dos and Don’ts
While I’ve touched on a few specific tips on how to wear blazers above, I thought it might be helpful to list them all out. Of course, the way you put an outfit together will depend upon your personal style. However, these are some of the things that I always keep in mind when wearing blazers.
1. Do watch your proportions.
This is especially important once you start laying. You want to make sure the base layers aren’t longer than the outer layering pieces. Additionally, you will want to choose bottom and skirt lengths that balance your styling up top!
2. Do avoid too much bulk.
As with any outfit, you want to be comfortable and not feel constricted. Therefore, select base layers that aren’t too bulky and allow you to move with ease. Particularly when layering, choose finishing pieces that are a bit oversized and have plenty of room in the shoulders and upper arm.
3. Don’t be afraid to play with color.
When you think about fall, the colors that first come to most people’s minds are dark shades and neutrals. However, I recommend not being afraid to play with colors and mix and match prints. I especially love teals, reds, and mustard tones in the fall!
4. Don’t let ill-fitting blazers take away from your look.
When opting for a more streamlined and classic look that doesn’t involve a lot of layering, the fit of the blazer is key. The best looking blazers are the ones that are well-tailored and don’t have any large draglines, droopy collars, or ill-fitting sleeves.
How to Wear Blazers this Fall and Winter
So, what do you think? Are blazers on your fall wish list? If so, I hope these tips and tricks on how to wear blazers have been helpful! If you’re itching for more fall content, check out my posts on Adidas Gazelle outfit ideas, how to style wide-leg jeans, and turtleneck outfit ideas. And be sure to keep checking back, as this is only the start of so many fun fall fashion topics to come!