Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (2024)

Step up your game for this year’s holidays and dress for any event with a single, affordable blazer that can go from formal to friendly and any occasion in between.

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (1)

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (2)

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (3)

By Zach Giordano, video by Suma Hussien and Andrew Robinson| November 20, 2017

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (4)

Contrary to what you see in glossy magazines or worn by eccentric celebrities, fashion should be simple. And the simplest way to take your wardrobe up a notch is to invest in a sturdy, stylish blazer. Why a blazer? One word: versatility.

The right blazer can work for a relaxed hangout or a fancy celebration, elevating any outfit while also pulling a look together. It’s also about time we leave those ugly sweaters out in the cold.

At Primark’s four-story location in Downtown Crossing, which was the hot Irish retailer’s premier store in the U.S., the blazers section has a wide range of affordable styles, from classic blues, grays, and blacks to herringbone and other more unexpected fabrics and designs. But where to begin? To show you just how versatile the right blazer can be in your wardrobe, we’ve put together a variety of outfits ranging from casual to formal that will help inspire your next shopping trip.

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (5)

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (6)A good blazer can upgrade your favorite jeans and t-shirt in an instant. The perfect look for Saturday drinks or Sunday brunch, the casual blazer-and-tee combo showcases the right amount of relaxed refinement. Take the slim grey birdseye blazer ($52), which pairs well with a range of colors and styles, allowing plenty of room for your own personality to shine through. Finish the look with a dark sneaker and you’re ready for any weekend plans.

This look is finished with a long-sleeve plaid flannel shirt ($8), black skinny stretch denim jeans ($15), and a pair of black suede Chelsea boots ($26).

Blazer tip: Fit
You know a blazer’s too tight if it pulls and forms an “X” when it’s buttoned. It’s too loose if the shoulders extend past your actual shoulders.

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (7)

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (8)Head into work looking professional before heading out on the town looking the right amount of put together by dressing up your blazer just a bit. A pressed button-down shirt and pants that aren’t jeans but aren’t too dressy either (think chinos of any color) are a perfect pairing for that presentation at 4 and dinner at 8. That same slim grey birdseye blazer ($52) goes well with a navy shirt and crimson pants for a touch of color and plenty of semi-formal sleekness.

This look is finished with a long-sleeve slim-fit navy shirt ($11), wine-colored slim-fit chinos ($15), and a pair of chocolate brogue Chelsea boots ($29).

Blazer tip: Color
While most blazers can be styled for any occasion, grey and navy are the most versatile colors, with brown and tan better suited for more casual settings.

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (9)

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (10)

Heading out on the town but don’t want to get bogged down (or overheated) by too many layers? Dress up your blazer with a quick twist of a scarf and pair of gloves and you’re ready to look sharp while also staying warm; especially if you grab a grey wool mix blazer ($52) that looks just as good with dark jeans as it does with black dress pants. The light-colored wool blend is perfect for holiday celebrations, and might cause everyone you encounter to put it on their wish lists.

This look is finished with a wine-colored, knitted long-sleeve polo ($14), black skinny stretch denim jeans ($15), a grey and black, lightweight skinny stripe scarf ($6), and a pair of black, vegan-leather formal Chelsea boots ($24).

Blazer tip: Style
Dress down with a polo shirt or v-neck tee. Dress up with a solid or patterned oxford shirt or layer with a sweater vest for more texture and sophistication.

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (11)

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (12)Big occasions require sharp suits, but that doesn’t mean your go-to formal blazer can’t double as a more casual option. Pairing your blazer with a neck or bow tie will immediately make it more formal, and finishing the look with a matching pant and polished shoes is a must for weddings, graduations, and other milestones. The navy check slim fit suit jacket ($52) has a hint of patterning that adds dimension, and its classic color can be easily dressed down with jeans and a white shirt.

This look is finished with a white, long-sleeve slim-fit shirt ($9), a navy paisley tie ($7), navy check, slim-fit suit pants ($25), and a pair of tan formal oxford shoes with memory foam in-sole ($21).

Moral of the story? Blazers are not just for special occasions anymore. Whether dressed up or dressed down, the right blazer can lead to plenty of new outfit options in your wardrobe, leaving you more time to enjoy what’s truly special about the holidays.

To find more blazers, styles, and accessories, check out Primark.com.

Every guy needs a versatile blazer for work and play. To find yours, try these tips on for size (2024)

FAQs

What is the most versatile color blazer for men? ›

Grey blazers are arguably the most versatile, which means there are plenty of ways to wear one. For example, for work, you could pair yours with a pair of slim-fit trousers in black, brown or navy. And, they can be layered over a formal or casual shirt, a jumper, or a T-shirt.

How to choose a blazer for a man? ›

How Blazers should Fit
  1. Shoulders should not over-extend by more than half an inch; they should allow a full range of arm motion.
  2. There should be enough give in the chest to allow you to button the jacket.
  3. Sleeves should extend to the wrist bone and show ¼ to ¾ of an inch of shirt cuff when you stand erect.

What color blazer matches everything? ›

A solid black or navy blazer is a staple in everyone's closet — it goes with just about anything and can be easily dressed up or down. Same goes with classic prints like checks and stripes.

Does a man need a blazer? ›

Blazers are a must for any man with a 'business casual' office. The fit does matter but blazers are a little bit more relaxed than formal suits. They typically have structured shoulders, so make sure these fit well, and consider a little tailoring through the rest of the jacket, too.

What is the best blazer that goes with everything? ›

While blazers come in various colors, the most traditional is navy blue. Sharp and masculine, a navy blazer can be worn year-round and goes with just about everything. That includes jeans, though the formality of the jacket doesn't pair best with denim.

What color suits every man should own? ›

Common Questions: What 5 suits should a man own? Everyman should own a black suit, a navy suit, a grey suit, a brown suit and a tan suit with white, powder blue or cream shirts. These can be mixed and matched to create 75 different combinations!

How do I guess my blazer size? ›

Take a measuring tape and wrap it around thefullest part of your chest (under your armpits). If you measure 40 inches around your chest, then your chest size is 40 inches and, likewise, your suit jacket size is 40. The letter after the jacket size is thelength of your jacket (both body and sleeve).

What size blazer should I get men? ›

Blazer Size Chart
SizeChest (Inch)Waist (Inch)
S35 - 3729 - 31
M38 - 4032 - 34
L41 - 4335 - 37
XL44 - 4638 - 40
2 more rows

How do I know my blazer size? ›

Blazer sizes are equal to your chest size. For example, if you have a 38" chest, you would wear a size 38 blazer. . How tall you are will determine whether you need a Short (S), Regular (R), or a Long (L) suit.

Does blazer have to match pants? ›

A tailored jacket (aka sportcoat or blazer) paired with tailored trousers in a different fabric is not a suit. For instance, a navy blazer with gray tailored trousers: not a suit! This type of outfit is inherently less formal than a suit. A blazer paired with non-matching trousers is not a suit.

What color blazer is most popular? ›

Suit Jacket Colors

The most common colors are: Navy Blue (most common) Charcoal Gray.

Should blazer be same color as pants? ›

You also need to color coordinate your trousers and suit jacket. This doesn't necessarily mean that the two garments must feature the same color. It only means that the colors should match or compliment each other. If your suit jacket is black and your trousers are brown, your outfit won't match.

Can men wear blazer with jeans? ›

Pairing a blazer with jeans is a great way to pull off the smart casual look. Learn how to combine this classic piece of formal wear with a fresh pair of denim jeans.

What is a male blazer called? ›

Classic jacket, sport coat, blazer, suit jacket. Men's jackets have many names, however, the differences between them aren't always clear-cut.

Do men wear blazers anymore? ›

Blazers are now worn with denims in light and breathable fabrics with sharper fits. For a formal occasion, people wear blazers with a pocket square and a tie.” A blazer or sports jacket has become to men what the little black dress is for women — a wardrobe staple.

What kind of blazer is trendy? ›

GOOD-MOOD HUES

With brighter days come brighter palettes. Consider lime greens, Barbie pinks and cobalt blues à la Michael Kors and Proenza Schouler when selecting your 2023 blazers, then style them with complimentary colours to really max out this trend.

Which brands are best for blazer? ›

1. Van Heusen – Best Blazers For Men. Van Heusen, one of the best blazer brands in India. With a wide range of styles and fabrics to choose from, Van Heusen offers the best blazers for men that are perfect for both formal and casual occasions.

What can I wear instead of a blazer? ›

Crew neck sweaters, half-zip knits and V-neck jumpers are all excellent alternatives to a suit blazer. Their formal style pairs well with a long-sleeve shirt and chinos. If it is colder outside, they can also be layered under a sports or casual jacket.

What is most men's favorite color? ›

Universally, studies show that blue is both men and women's primary preferred color. One study dove into why blue is so popular and found that it's associated with clean water, clear skies, authority, truth and tranquility. Both men and women also like green and red as top favorite colors.

What colour turns guys on the most? ›

Scientists have revealed that wearing the colour red will make you more attractive to the opposite sex. Studies reveal that red is the most attractive colour to both men and women but, curiously, the two genders are attracted to the same colour for different reasons.

What's the difference between a suit and a blazer? ›

The main difference between a blazer and a suit is that a blazer is less formal than a suit. A blazer can be worn with a variety of different pants, whereas a suit must be worn with matching pants. Blazers are also often made from lighter fabrics than suits, which makes them more comfortable to wear in warmer weather.

How much bigger should blazer be? ›

The hem of your blazer should skim your hipbone. The sleeves of your blazer should hit mid-thumb when your arms are down at your sides. Sleeve width can make all the difference in the way your blazer fits.

Is blazer size same as shirt size? ›

If you wear a men's Small, a size 36 jacket should work for you. Men who wear Medium-size shirts can go for a size 38 suit jacket, while men who wear Large can try sizes 40 and 42. If your shirt size is an XL, you may find that a size 44 suit jacket fits comfortably.

Should blazer be tight or loose? ›

Measured to not hang over your hands or rise up your arms, the sleeves should land somewhere between your wrist and your thumb. When buttoned, the lapels of your blazer should only be loose enough to fit a tightened fist between the fabric and your chest, and they should be snug to your chest.

Should blazer be longer than shirt? ›

Gentlemen who have a more classic style or want to show little to no cuff can use the end of the shirt sleeve as reference. The jacket sleeves should be either the same length as the shirt sleeve or 0.125” shorter.

What is the average man's jacket size? ›

Roughly speaking, men at or under a height of 5' 7” with a chest measurement between 36-46” will need a short, men who are 5' 7” to 5'11” with chest measurements between 36-54” will need a regular, and taller men will always need a long.

What size is XL in men's blazer? ›

Men's Blazer Size Chart
SIZETO FIT CHEST SIZE (INCHES)
L40-42
XL42-44
2XL44-46
3XL46-48
5 more rows

How do I look fit in a blazer? ›

5 Ways to Wear a Blazer
  1. Go simple with jeans and a T-shirt. ...
  2. Add a scarf for extra flair. ...
  3. Wear a blazer with chinos and dress shoes. ...
  4. Throw a blazer over your dress. ...
  5. Wear with a crop top.
Feb 16, 2022

Do blazers run big or true to size? ›

How Does the Nike Blazer Fit? Generally speaking, the Nike Blazer will fit true to size with both the men's and women's versions following this rule.

What jeans to pair with blazer? ›

Again, dark indigo or black jeans are your safest bet, depending on what colour jacket you opt for. For blazers in shades of brown, beige, green or blue, go for dark blue jeans; whereas for a monochrome look, pair grey and charcoal blazers with black jeans.

Do shoes have to match blazer? ›



Absolutely! However, it's smart to have a noticeable difference between the shades of your shoe and your suit. As a general rule, it's typically best to choose a brown shoe that is a shade or two darker than your suit color. This will ensure that your outfit has a distinct contrast.

What color blazer with blue jeans? ›

Traditional blue to midnight-blue jeans work with blazers that are lighter in color. Think light to medium gray, khaki, and even light to medium blue for your blazer pairing. Dark navy blue jeans will look awkward with darker colored blazers, but don't deny the dark side of the color wheel just yet.

What is the most common blazer? ›

Single-Breasted Blazer

Single-breasted blazers are the most common form of blazer. Blazers with a single column of buttons on the front are called single-breasted blazers.

Can I wear a blazer to a wedding? ›

Incorrectly deploy a tuxedo: Anything from a co*cktail dress code down does not need a tuxedo. You're not terrible, but you'll look like you're upstaging. Mix and match: It's acceptable to wear a smart blazer and slacks for less formal weddings. It's not ok to take a suit jacket and slap it on pants.

What color suits everyone? ›

Universal Neutrals

Navy is the universal cool neutral. Less harsh than black and more soothing than brown, navy is a flattering color for every skin tone. It is a cool muted blue that leans toward purple. You can see on the color spectrum that it contains purple, blue, gray, and veers towards black.

Is it OK to wear a blue blazer with black pants? ›

Navy blue blazer with black pants – an absolute dapper look!

The blue and black combination might seem a bit boring, but it all comes down to what color shirt with blue blazer to make the outfit look dapper. The go-to shirt colour for the navy blue blazer with black pants look would probably be black or white.

Can you wear a dark blue blazer with black pants? ›

All shades of blue go well with black — so long as you don't look like you got dressed in the dark. This is really the trick — the closer the blue is to black, the more you have to wear it with intention.

Does a dark grey blazer go with black pants? ›

We reckon this is a very versatile outfit that works just as well altogether as it does with the individual items.

What shirt to wear under blazer? ›

T-shirts underneath Blazers can create the perfect 'cool' combination when done right. You don't want anything too graphic as it makes the outfit look busy, and a V-Neck tee can look like you're trying too hard. The safest bet is to go with a crew-neck in simple colours.

Is wearing a blazer too formal? ›

Contrary to popular belief, blazers are not just reserved for formal occasions or ladies' office wear. Blazers can be worn even for smart-casual occasions as long as you have a few tricks up your sleeve.

What is the bottom of a blazer called? ›

The bottom of the jacket, all the way around the entire jacket, is the hem.

What is a half blazer called? ›

A waistcoat (UK and Commonwealth, /ˈweɪs(t)koʊt/ or /ˈwɛskət/; colloquially called a weskit), or vest (US and Canada), is a sleeveless upper-body garment. It is usually worn over a dress shirt and necktie and below a coat as a part of most men's formal wear.

What does a blazer symbolize? ›

It goes as far as simplifying the process of looking put-together. Even after all these transformation, the blazer is still symbol of power, structure, and seriousness.

Why do men not wear suits anymore? ›

Now, the “suit” has become casual-looking and has taken a back seat to more causal clothing styles like t-shirts and jeans. With globalization, American clothing standards have caused many other countries to emulate the same causal dressing styles, causing a decline in the “traditional” suit's use in daily life.

Should shirt come out of blazer? ›

Your shirt sleeves should come all the way down to your wrist bone or the base of your pinky fingers. This means that a half-inch of your shirt cuff should show beyond the jacket cuff when you're wearing a jacket.

Why do blazers not suit me? ›

Pay attention to the shoulders

You definitely won't like wearing blazers that are too tight in the shoulders – or that puff out too much. If you have broad shoulders, go for blazers that are less structured in the shoulders, or one without a collar.

What is the best color for blazers? ›

Blazer Colours. The most popular blazer colours that complement almost every occasion include charcoal grey, navy blue, light grey, and black. If you want to play a little more with designs and colours, you can also go for the eye-catching printed blazer for weddings.

What color suit jacket is most versatile? ›

However, if you intend to wear your suit beyond rare occasions, then charcoal grey and navy blue are the superior choices. Why? They are the most versatile and useful suit colours that provide a great value for those who have to wear formal suits regularly and look for a classic and timeless option.

Which blazer suit color is best? ›

We recommend sticking with dark-colored suits, like black, navy, or charcoal gray for a formal event. For a day at the office, an all black men's suit is way too formal. Instead, we recommend wearing a gray or navy blue men's suit to work.

What color blazer looks best with jeans? ›

For blazers in shades of brown, beige, green or blue, go for dark blue jeans; whereas for a monochrome look, pair grey and charcoal blazers with black jeans. For those wanting to branch out from the safety of dark washes, try pale or white denim – neutral shades that work best during the spring and summer months.

What shirt to wear with blazer? ›

T-shirts underneath Blazers can create the perfect 'cool' combination when done right. You don't want anything too graphic as it makes the outfit look busy, and a V-Neck tee can look like you're trying too hard. The safest bet is to go with a crew-neck in simple colours.

What color suit makes you look bigger? ›

Darker shades of colors like blue, purple and brown can also help to hide flaws and create a slimming illusion. On the other hand, lighter colors, like white and khaki, can add pounds and give the illusion of a larger frame.

What color jacket goes with everything? ›

1. These are the coat colors that will go with everything: Black; Earth Tones (olive green, browns, beige) Red; Navy; Light Blue; Keep reading to see how you can choose the perfect coat to add to your wardrobe.

What suit color goes with everything? ›

Not everyone can wear a suit of every color, and for that reason, it's important to know what colors suit you best. Black and grey suits look great on everyone, although they can be a bit formal. Navy and light grey are perfect for weekends and when you want to be casual.

What kind of blazer goes with jeans? ›

Single-breasted blazers tend to work better with a pair of jeans, but double-breasted blazers are great when you need a statement piece. Blazers come in a wide range of colors including navy, black, tan, grey, brown, and white. Fabric options include suede, cotton, tweed, linen, and polyester.

What is the best suit color for work? ›

For business attire or business suits, the color is straight forward. The standard color for suits are navy or grey. The choice is limited but it STILL needs to be done right. There is no other color that looks smarter or flatter one's skin better than these two colors.

How many suits should a man own? ›

No matter how you like to dress or what you do for work, sometimes only a suit will do. But how many suits does a man need? For us, the magic number is three. Whether you're at a wedding, job interview or business event, these are the men's suits that will never let you down.

What's the difference between a blazer and a suit jacket? ›

Blazers are less formal than suit jackets. A blazer must not be as poised as the suit jacket, therefore it's typically unlined, unpadded, the lapels aren't edge-stitched. The blazer is very light, comfortable to wear over multiple clothes.

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