Part of our heritage as men is to be confident, dare to make bold decisions and ultimately aim to impress not only women and other gents, but also impress ourselves with what we can achieve. Fixing up and looking sharp is key to this and can create a brilliant first impression, which helps us cement lasting relationships with others. I mean let’s face it, when was the last time you decided to spend more time with someone based on the fact that they styled themselves poorly?

Our ultimate guide to styling a blazer aims to help our fellow urban gents make better decisions on how to wear this classic item and when to wear it. We break down the 5 main elements to guide you through choosing “the blazer”.

Blazer Types

There are lots of materials that blazers can be made from so rather than create a ridiculously long list, we decided to outline some of the most common and popular blazer types below.

Tweed Blazers

Tweed is a brilliant material for insulation in colder months and is also quite resistant to the elements such as rain and wind. The patterns and shades of these types of blazers are great for smart casual occasions but can easily work for more formal occasions when paired with a smart shirt and shoes.

John Legend wearing a tweed blazer

Kanye West wearing a tweed blazer for his 808 and Heartbreak photoshoot

Linen Blazers

Linen is well known for being a durable and versatile fabric, which is 30% stronger than cotton. It is a popular material for blazers due to being able to keep you cool in hot and humid conditions due to its very breathable properties. Although the material can be crumpled and creased more easily than other materials, it can generally be ironed out again and it’s benefits far outweigh this slight downside.

Model wearing a linen blazer

Flannel Blazers

Another great choice for the winter, flannel blazers are generally more heavy and thick compared to a lot of other materials and it does not breathe well. If you take care of it, these blazers can last for a number of years however they are prone to fray slightly sooner than other blazers made from different materials.

Model wearing a flannel blazer

Wool Blazers

If you have any reactions to man-made materials, the wool blazer is a great choice which can help you avoid this issue. It’s naturally water resistant, stays dry while absorbing humidity and is also resistant to static electricity. As long as the thread is tight, wool can be one of the most durable fabrics. This is why it is used in a lot of different clothing. Wool blazers are great for winter or summer due to being a more breathable material.

Model wearing a wool blazer

Popular Colours and Button Types

Grey blazers are a staple in most men’s wardrobes, mainly because of how versatile this colour can be against so many other coloured items. We recommend having at least 1 smart grey blazer and then experiment with light shirts, t-shirts and dark chinos, jeans or trousers.

Navy blue and brown blazers are great when you want to make it the main feature of your outfit. The colours can draw peoples eye towards it and pairing your blazer with a clean pocket square and tie can easily change your look from smart casual to an even smarter outfit.

Ronaldo wearing a navy blue blazer, tie and pocket square combo

Black is a classic colour when on a night out and when you are dressing up for special dinner parties or dating occasions. Black absorbs heat more than any other colour so we recommend wearing a black blazer in the evening when it is a little cooler. Black blazers also look great with a plain white or light coloured t-shirt as the two colours contrast nicely.

Light coloured blazers such as cream, white, light blue or light green are very popular colours in the summer months and when on holiday near the sea. These lighter shades will make you stand out amongst anyone wearing darker colours and with bright sunlight in the mix, helps to show off all of your other items of clothing in almost the same way a light canvas shows off dark and bright colours against it.

• Jacket with 1 button – When standing, this jacket should be buttoned and then undone while sat down
• Jacket with 2 button – The general rule is to only fasten the top button and never fasten both
• Jacket with 3 button – There is a simple rule for 3 button blazers; “sometimes, always, never.” Essentially it means that you should fasten the top button sometimes (when ever it suits you), always fasten the middle button, and never fasten the bottom button

Model wearing a red blazer with one button open

Have any good photos of yourself swagged out in the latest style? Are you a stylish personality with your own blog or Instagram account? Get in touch with us to enquire about collaborating and being featured on SA.