Learning how to wear the casual blazer requires delving back into naval folklore. The story goes like this: in 1837, a young Queen Victoria paid a visit to a ship named the HMS Blazer, part of the Royal Navy. In preparation for the royal inspection, the ship’s captain ordered his crew to smarten up by wearing navy blue double-breasted jackets over their striped seamen’s sweaters.
The look (and the name) stuck. If it was good enough for Her Majesty, a blazer most certainly should be a part of your daily style arsenal. Despite its ubiquity, the tailored jacket offers a surprising amount of versatility too, louche and lax enough to be considered casual when it wants to be.
Taking the blazer beyond formal settings, we’ve assembled a complete guide on how to wear the casual blazer. Essentially, it’s about dressing things down for casual occasions, giving you a look that is still stately and clean, but has a more relaxed, fashionable feel. Still royal, never commoner.
The Rules Of Wearing A Blazer
There’s a lot of blazer misdemeanours kicking around men’s style cyberspace these day, so let’s go over the blazer basic rules.
- DON’T MAKE IT PART OF YOUR SUIT
This is one of those eye-for-detail moments. Even if looks like a perfectly ordinary jacket on the hanger, connoisseurs can always tell when a suit has been separated for its jacket. The jacket is too formal in finish and structure, obstructing the casual aesthetic you’re going for, throwing out the whole look.
- Your Blazer Should Be Shorter In The Body
The traditional rule of thumb (literally) says that the hem of your jacket should hit around the thumb knuckle, the one between the end of your thumb and where the joint meets the palm. Your blazer should, like a good lawyer, cover your ass, but it shouldn’t be overly long either.
- Your Blazer Fit. Should Accommodate Additional Layers
A suit jacket is meant to fit just one (shirt) or two (shirt + waistcoat) layers underneath and is tailored accordingly. A blazer, on the other hand, should be fitted to allow for layering. When the cold weather hits, you’ll be thankful for the ability to layer multiple pieces, including knitwear, beneath your blazer
- Employ Different Colours , Fabrics And Patterns
Don’t be afraid to get bold and creative, as that is often what marks the difference between good style and truly great style. Try out vibrant block colour blazers, classic prints and patterns like stripes and checks, and a range of different fabrics from linen to velvet. If you go this route, the blazer should be the statement, so make sure you exercise appropriate restraint elsewhere.
- Have More Than One In Your Wardrobe
This goes hand-in-hand with the previous rule. Your blazer collection is a chance to try out all kinds of different styles and brands. Fill your closet with a mix of inexpensive and pricier pieces, so you’re ready for anything. And don’t forget to shop well come sale time, as blazers are often the last items to go on sale.
Source: dmarge.com
