Blazers and sport coats are wardrobe staples that can instantly elevate your style, but figuring out how to wear them properly can sometimes be a bit tricky.
This video breaks down the key do’s and don’ts of wearing a blazer, share styling ideas, and offer practical advice for creating sharp, put-together outfits that work for almost any occasion.
What’s the difference between a blazer and a sports coat?
A blazer is solid in color, while a sports coat has a pattern or rich texture. So, a jacket with a subtle or bold pattern is a sports coat. The Blazer is a bit more superior in terms of versatility. It is a solid pattern, which means you can wear a patterned shirt underneath it or pair it with patterned pants. And if you wear a patterned shirt under your sports coat, understand how to combine patterns when wearing a patterned shirt with a sports coat.
Can you wear a suit jacket as a Blazer or sport coat? It depends, but sometimes. A suit’s fabric is shinier and has a sheen, so a suit jacket will look like a suit jacket and won’t work well when you dress it down with slacks or jeans. Also, the peak lapel you find on many suits doesn’t look as good when paired with denim.
Your sport coat should have a notch lapel to maximize its sexiness. I give an example of a suit jacket that could be worn with denim or light cotton pants. The reason is the notch lapel, and the fabric isn’t shiny, which makes it a bit more casual. That being said, currently, sports coats can be a bit more elevated and refined with double-breasted and peak lapels, along with a lot of fun and vibrant patterns.
What shirt should you wear under your blazer or sports coat? In my opinion, the crisp and clean white polo or button-down always looks amazing. It’s a must-have for every guy and works incredibly well underneath the blazer or sports coat. If you’re wearing a polo underneath your sports coat, blazer, or suit jacket, ensure it’s an elevated polo and the collar is not all whacked out. It needs to stand up rigid and flawless.
Get your polo from Collars and Co., which features crisp, clean, upright collars and deeper plackets. The fabric is a bit shiny and stretchy, so it’s an elevated aesthetic. They also have blazers, which are my favorites. They are super stretchy and don’t get wrinkled. They’re also not too boxy or baggy without being skin-tight. Check out their sweaters, too.
How should pants pair pants with each of these jackets? Check out my demonstration of three colors of jeans. Pick which color would not be best with the blazer, making the outfit more casual. Did you guess correctly? Also, remember that if you’re wearing a navy jacket, do not wear navy pants. It’ll look like you’re trying to make a suit from two items that are not the same. This goes for black as well.
So what shoes should you wear with your jacket? If you’re wearing jeans, make sure you’re wearing a bit more casual of a shoe that does not have a super high shine. It looks funny if you’re wearing jeans with a sports coat and super shiny oxfords or lace-ups. Opt for leather that has a more matte finish.
A simple pair of loafers is a great addition to anybody’s wardrobe. They work with jeans, slacks, or chinos. They pair perfectly with blazers or sport coats. If you want to wear sneakers with your blazer or sports coat, it is acceptable if the overall aesthetic is more casual. The white or black minimal leather sneakers are acceptable. But avoid Jordans or fun and funky sneakers.
Here are some combinations:
- Gray pants, brown loafers, white polo navy blazer — old money aesthetic and sexy as hell
- Denim, brown loafers, white polo, navy blazer — you’re ready for action like a date night.
- Black blazer, black polo, green pants, black shoes — crisp and clean because black with black elevates the aesthetic and makes you look like a badass.
- Black turtleneck, black blazer, denim, and Chelsea boots — look elevated and refined bad boy. A turtleneck underneath a suit or a blazer is next level, and going monochromatic is even better.
- Black turtleneck, black blazer, gray chinos, black boots — you’re killing it.
- Light-colored pants, white polo navy jacket, brown loafers — old money and bougie.
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