For a garment so simple and straightforward, blazers sure are hard to style—or at least they can be. For me, they have been. Due to one reason or another, the garment always felt out of reach, as if it was none of my business. But, you see, I think this tailored staple is deeply misunderstood. I associated it with lawyers and private schools (and I ask myself, why?), but they’re so much more than that. And on one fateful day, wearing one that actually fit me, I finally understood why fashion icons like Kendall Jenner are so obsessed with these jackets.
This newfound revelation brings me here to present you with blazer outfit ideas. First, you’ll need to forget everything you think you know, because I found 16 expertly styled looks that truly cast blazers in a whole new light. Shop them all, ahead.
Suit Up
Divisive as it may be, I love when women wear neckties. Nothing completes a power suit quite like it. To keep things fresh (and far from Boss Baby territory), go with a fashion-forward brand or a trendy color palette.
Chimi x Paul Pogba Sunglasses
Jenni Kayne Relaxed Trouser
Now 20% Off
Thom Browne Striped Silk-Blend Tie
Sweats (Fashion’s Version)
Next time you’re wondering how to take an athleisure look up a notch, slip into a blazer and see how it goes. I think this pairing would work especially well with knit sets.
Everlane The Oversized Blazer
Reformation Vintage Crewneck Sweatshirt
Reformation Wide Leg Sweatpants
Salomon XT-6 Unisex Sportstyle Shoes
Polo Ralph Lauren Chino Sport Cap
Mini Dress
This is one look I just can’t get enough of. Taking a call hasn’t looked this cool since corded phones were around! Shop around for a designated blazer dress, or try sizing up and turning any style into a frock.
Anine Bing Katharine Dress
Fendi First 54mm Oval Sunglasses
Coperni Swipe Mini Leather Shoulder Bag
Jennifer Fisher City Link Ring
Skims Fits Everybody Slip Dress
Loose Fit
A suit jacket doesn’t need to feel stuffy. This combination of a pinstripe blazer and butter-yellow pants strikes me as a fantastic outfit for traveling.
Maje Single-Breasted Pinstripe Blazer
Tibi Satin-Twill Wide Leg Pants
Now 55% Off
Mansur Gavriel Glove Flat
Now 40% Off
Proenza Schouler Silo Zip Napa Leather Shoulder Bag
Mejuri 18K Gold Vermeil Dome Figure Hoops
Bottega Veneta Classic Aviator Sunglasses
No Pants
Look, ma, no pants! Admittedly, the pantsless trend is one of my favorites to pop up over the last few seasons. Here, Kendall expertly styles a blazer that offers the illusion of being layered with a button-down.
Favorite Daughter The Kelly Blazer
Now 85% Off
Calzedonia 30 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights
Aeyde Zazie Kitten Heel Tall Boot
The Row Dalia Leather Baguette Shoulder Bag
NOOD New York The Game Changer Lift & Shape Bra
Long Lines
There was a time when unbalanced proportions were considered a fashion no-no. The results were too “unflattering.” (Translation: bullshit!) Today, this kind of outfit scores major style points.
Wilfred New Generation Blazer
Ronny Kobo Elias Knit Dress
Now 26% Off
New Balance 1906 Unisex Sneakers
Christopher Esber Dillon 95 Sunglasses
Boardroom Ready
There’s something to be said for wearing blazers the way they were intended to be worn (i.e., for work). They really do make the perfect layering piece for the office. I love to wear a suit with a T-shirt to tone the corporate-core, and the added comfort doesn’t hurt, either.
Camila Coelho Morena Blazer
FM 669 Little Organic Cotton T-Shirt
Robert Lee Morris Dome Pendant Wire Necklace
Now 30% Off
Reebok Club C LTD Sneaker
Party on the Bottom
Fiiiiine. I suppose this might not qualify as “business on the top,” but that’s not the point I’m trying to make. Have a little fun with your pants and skirts! If you’re lucky, the spirit of the Hadid sisters might just bless you.
Leset Kelly Racerback Tank
High Sport Exclusive Kick Gingham Cropped Flared Pants
Ettika Medium Thick Classic Hoop Earrings
NeroGiardini Leather Harness Biker Boots
Motique Accessories Faux Leather Headband
Denim to Die For
Denim and blazers go together like peanut butter and jelly. For those instances when a suit feels like too much, or blue jeans feel like too little, wear both and call it a day.
Veronica Beard Sevyn Plaid Dickey Jacket
Levi’s 501® ’90s Jeans
Frye Billy Pull-On Western Boots
Wolford Colorado Turtleneck Jersey Thong Bodysuit
Tory Burch Marshmallow Satchel
Michael Kors Rylee Gold-Tone Ring Watch
A Bygone Era
As I browsed for inspiration photos, this look really stood out. It makes me want to use words like “telegraph.” I want to say hello to the milkman and find out what’s playing in the “talkies.”
Aligne Daphne Waisted Blazer
M.M. LaFleur The Cobble Hill Skirt
Nordstrom Cashmere Lined Leather Touchscreen Gloves
Now 40% Off
Lelet NY Glossy Top Knot Pin
All Black
“I only wear black.” Girl, I know. It seems like half the population prides themselves on only wearing the dark hue these days. Not that I have a leg to stand on; I’m guilty of it, too.
Rohe Knit Off-The-Shoulder Top
Everlane The Way-High Curve Jean
BY FAR Moore Black Semi Patent Leather Belt
Loewe Terra Vinyl Chunky Clogs
JW PEI Harlee Shoulder Bag
Slacks & Sneakers
You never have to tell me twice to take the comfortable route. It’s a happy fact that sneakers look good with suiting—and that includes sweatsuits.
Banana Republic Barathea Relaxed Italian Wool Tuxedo Jacket
Mango Poncho Jacket with Flap Pockets
Mango High-Rise Wide Leg Trousers
Falke Acitve Breeze Roll Top Socks
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66™ Vintage Sneakers
Louis Vuitton Side Trunk PM Monogram
Cinched Waist
If you’ve got it, dahling, you really ought to flaunt it. One of my main qualms with blazers is that they can, indeed, look boxy. Try a tie-waist or peplum style to highlight your shape, or play around by adding a belt.
Significant Other Leighton Pinstriped Oversized Blazer
Toteme T-Lock Leather Shoulder Bag
Saint Laurent Monogram Crystal-Embellished Tights
Ben Amun Santa Fe Silver-Plated Clip-On Earrings
Sheer Delight
Translucence is the trend that just won’t die—not that I’m complaining; I love a silhouetted, see-through moment. Whether you rock a sheer top, dress, pants, or skirt, a blazer serves as the perfect counterweight.
Khaite x Oliver Peoples 1989C Sunglasses
Prada Ribbed Knit Jersey Tank Top
JW Anderson Draped Twisted Sheer-Crepe Maxi Skirt
The Row Zipped Combat Boots
Bare Legs
One last hurrah before I put my razor away for the winter—just kidding! (Unless…) This darling ensemble is the epitome of office siren dressing. Pair with kitten heels and ankle socks for the real It girl look.
Ami Paris Double-Breasted Blazer
For Love & Lemons Billie Pointelle Mini Dress
Only Hearts Tulle Crew Socks
Le Monde Beryl Babouche 40mm Leather Pumps
Saint Laurent Le Carre YSL Top-Handle Bag
Jennifer Fisher Samira 10K-Gold-Plated Micro Ear Cuff
Now 20% Off
Bermuda Shorts
Carry this summer trend into fall simply by swapping your sandals for riding boots. I love the mismatched tweed seen here, but coordinating sets have a charm of their own.
LK Bennett Daphne Houndstooth One-Button Wool Blazer
LK Bennett Daphne Belted Houndstooth Wool Bermuda Shorts
Jil Sander Asymmetric Leather Riding Boots
J.Crew Étienne Oversized Shirt
Awe Inspired Lariat Charm Collector Necklace
Now 8% Off
Bombas Modern Rib Calf Socks
Meg (she/her) is the associate fashion commerce editor at ELLE.com, where she specializes in shopping stories spanning the fashion, home, and lifestyle categories. Over the past three years, she has devoted countless hours to researching brands, testing hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of products, and deep-diving into market and consumer trends. Her favorite job responsibilities consist of co-writing the monthly series Same Same But Different and curating the fashion market for ELLE Escapes. Meg graduated magna cum laude from the Missouri School of Journalism with an emphasis on magazine editing. In 2020, one of her feature stories in the service article category was recognized by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. The year prior, the Society of Professional Journalists named voxmagazine.com “Best Affiliated Magazine” in its Mark of Excellence Awards, when she was on staff. Meg’s stories have appeared on Cosmopolitan, Town & Country, Harper’s Bazaar, and Good Housekeeping, among many other outlets. Her personal passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and gardening. You can find her in New York, where she lives, or on Instagram, where she also lives. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.
