subject: What should you wear with a blazer? [print this page] What should you wear with a blazer? What should you wear with a blazer?
Blazers are a great choice for men seeking the stylish look of a suit, but without the severe formality. The beauty of a blazer, whatever colour or material, is that it can go with almost anything - though it can still be useful to plan your outfit combinations in advance to make sure they make the impression you're after.
Many outfits that were complete even without a blazer can be enhanced considerably by the added garment. Whether you prefer to wear formal or casual shirts, with or without ties, or V-neck sweaters and patterned knits, a loose blazer can make a striking impression. You also need to consider what trousers you'll wear, as suit trousers aren't necessarily your only option.
If you're wearing your blazer to the office, you'll already stand out from fellow employees in just their shirts, without running into the problem of seeming too aloof in a suit. To enhance this classy appearance, you could consider a dress shirt with button-down collar and even a tie, all of which will keep you respectable without seeming like overkill for a day at the office.
Blazers aren't just for wearing at work, of course, and are suitable for all seasons. In the summer time, a bright polo shirt and light trousers under your blazer can create a great laid-back look, while turtlenecks and flannel sweaters can keep you warm in the winter.
While blazers are not reserved for formal occasions, as suits can sometimes be, they are still perfectly acceptable at everything from funeral services to weddings. You should avoid accidentally creating the impression of a suit, however, as this may let you down - for this reason, choosing trousers that clash with the colour of the blazer is always a good idea, and even jeans are acceptable in casual environments.
One of the advantages of blazers is that they give you the opportunity to wear some items of clothing that would look garish under a suit or by themselves, such as button-down dress shirts in tasteful striped and checked designs. On the other hand, there are some contemporary suit dressing styles that don't work so well with the historical charm of the blazer, such as loose T-shirts and khakis.
As far as footwear is concerned, everything from dress shoes to trainers is acceptable with a blazer, but you may wish to experiment with combinations such as combat boots over jeans for a masculine look.
