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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.