How To Wear A Blazer With Jeans
When it comes to easy, relaxed combinations, a great blazer and a humble pair of jeans do just the job. Why is this combination so appealing? Well, there a range of events in a gent’s life where he will need a go-to outfit that is relaxed, yet still has dressed-up elements. For drinks, dinners, and other semi-casual locations, look no further than sporting these two pivotal clothing items for a look that will have you remembered, even though you won’t be in a tux. We can ensure that you perfect this combination, but we do have a few stipulations. After all, done incorrectly and a blazer paired with jeans reads frumpy and totally mismatched. Done right, however, the look produces a memorable take on the simplest of silhouettes.
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First things first, color is critical when finding the perfect casual blazer to pair with your jeans. For something failsafe, the navy is your best option. Navy is ultra-versatile and complements a diverse range of colors. Grey also works terrifically and comes in a range of shades that will suit different complexions. Just know what suits you best. Tweeds are also another alluring option for a more dimensional version of a sports jacket that works great with denim. Keep in mind that blazers differ from suit jackets and do not require a matching pair of trousers.
For a quick reference for the fit of your blazer, ensure that the sleeves are around wrist level and that the shoulders of your blazer align with your shoulders appropriately. Further, be keen to make sure that you aren’t opting for too loose a fit and also know whether your blazer is too tight. You should be aiming for streamlined, youthful tailoring.
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A great pair of jeans is one of the most worthy investments you can make. Don’t be reluctant when it comes to splurging on great denim, but also, be aware that you can find excellent alternatives at more affordable price points. For the best jeans to pair with a blazer, opt for darker styles to anchor your looks or lighter versions for more casual day looks. As you are working with semi-formal attire, refrain from wearing denim that is overly distressed or extremely skinny when it comes to fit. You still want to maintain a bit of formality! The slim cut is your best bet, as it allows you to cut a more streamlined silhouette while preserving a youthful edge. Jeans in navy shades work best and are lifesavers when it comes to pairing with the wide range of blazer colors available.
The color of the blazer which you choose to wear can significantly affect the feel and style of your outfit. It can also impact what type and color of jeans you should pair with, so the choice is a crucial one. While today you can find blazers in any shade of the rainbow, there are several timeless colors that are perfect to pair with jeans. Grey, navy, black, tweed, and brown are all standard blazer styles and well worth considering when looking for a jacket to go with your jeans.
Grey can be a little plain so it requires a bit more dimension and color. Try and warm up grey tones with novel touches with richer colors. This will ensure that your look doesn’t come off as too serious or mature. A burgundy or powder blue pocket square or crochet tie will boost these looks simply yet effectively. Remember, there is nothing that beats a great white or powder blue button-down under a grey blazer. Keep in mind that a lightweight grey cotton blazer will also work suitably with other lighter colors for relaxed day looks and a darker charcoal blazer is an appealing choice for day-to-night looks. Black is a great accompaniment in terms of denim for grey blazers and works wonderfully to ground looks. Team with suede brogues for a softer approach to your blazer/denim combinations.
The Navy, as mentioned is a safe bet for most men. Teamed with darker denim or contrasting denim, the navy is ideal for grounding your blazer and denim combinations. Team your blue blazer with other traditional colors like emerald green, rich burgundies, and rusty browns for a classic interpretation of the blazer/denim combination, and don’t fear to experiment with other tones to spruce up your blazer.
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Whilst most men and women consider black to be the most versatile tone; it is, in fact, a little trickier to reconcile with other brighter colors. The trick to perfecting a black blazer with denim is to ensure that you have a simplistic palette to work from. A simple black turtleneck works wonderfully and plays into more of a casual aesthetic that denim endorses. When you are working with a more casual black blazer, go for whites, Merle, dove grays, and powder blues when it comes to your shirts. This will ensure that your interpretation of this combination reads classic. For jeans, keep things super minimalist with black jeans.
Tweed works well to add dimension to looks. It is also great visually to complement denim. The trick to reconciling tweed with denim is to layer up your looks with other traditional clothing pieces. You should commit to the traditionalism that tweed alludes to, so think preppy and classic. A good quality cable knit sweater is a novel option and corresponds well with both denim and blazers. Crotchet ties and crisp fitted button-downs are also a nice touch to emphasize a great tweed blazer.
Brown is also another wise choice for men to go for when pairing a blazer with denim. The key to perfecting a brown-toned blazer with jeans is to pair them with other natural, neutral colors. Accompanying pieces could include beige or khaki. By using these colors as a starting point for your ensembles you will warm up the palette and sustain a look that reads classic and preppy. Brown also suits mid-toned denim really well.
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When pairing jeans and blazers together, the options are endless. From color and fit to style and accessories, every choice you make will contribute to the overall appearance of your outfit. Don’t let that scare you off, though. As long as you know the basics, you can easily create a stylish and sharp appearance. Just start by choosing your favorite pair of jeans and go from there. Whether you like black, grey, or traditional blue, this guide will help you sort out how to wear them and the best items with which to pair them.
A pair of slim or skinny black jeans are perfect for pairing with a blazer. The combination creates a sharp and modern appearance that is hard to beat. The look is especially great for autumn and winter when the cold weather demands thick fabrics and a dark color palette. As black is a neutral color, you can pair these jeans with any blazer and shirt; the choice is yours. For a quick and easy combination, try a dark grey or charcoal blazer and a black or white T-shirt.
Your classic blue jeans can also pair well with a blazer and can easily be adapted to suit the look you’re trying to achieve. For a casual style, choose light, mid-blue jeans or faded styles in a straight-leg cut. For a sharper look, try a darker wash in a slim or skinny silhouette. As for the rest of your outfit, the choice is yours again. Nearly all blazers will work with blue jeans, but it’s best to avoid navy. Sometimes the shades of blue can be too close and create a clashing effect. For a great on-trend option, opt for a blazer with a bold check print instead of a blocked color.
If you’re favorite jeans happen to be grey, then chances are you prefer a style that’s a little unique. As grey jeans often appear like faded black, they project a distressed and edgy feel, which is perfect for cool and casual outfits. To enhance this look, choose a skinny style and consider rips. Then, pair your jeans with a standout blazer and a stylish top or shirt. Like with your blue jeans, just be careful to avoid shades of grey that are too similar to that of your pants.
Any outfit including a blazer will always look smarter than your average casual look, but there are ways to make it appear less serious. Start by choosing a more casual type of blazer, such as a less structured style in a fun print. Then, pair it with other casual pieces. Opt for a T-shirt over a button-down for a quick and easy casual style. Then, add some sneakers for the perfect relaxed, and street-ready look.
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While the differences between a blazer and a suit jacket may be small, they do exist. In general, a suit jacket has a matching pair of pants and is more structured and tailored than a blazer. The material may also be of higher quality than that of your typical blazer. As suit jackets are more formal than blazers, they can look odd when paired with casual jeans. As such, this look is best reserved for fashion-forward occasions where you can be a little experimental. For a stylish look, try partnering a suit jacket with a slim fit, blue jeans, a white shirt, and suede loafers. You can also consider adding a tie and pocket square to complete your stylishly relaxed look.
While skinny jeans can work with a blazer, you may need to adjust your look to suit. To ensure a well-balanced silhouette, stick to slim blazers that aren’t too bulky or wide. As overly large shoulder pads will make you appear top-heavy and awkward, it’s best to avoid them. Also, stick to slim shoes and try cuffing your jeans above your ankles to keep the look stylish and sharp. When it comes to the color of your skinny jeans, black tends to look the best and be the easiest to wear.
Your options are pretty wide with shoes, but be careful that your choices are not too casual. A great suede or leather loafer, Oxford, or boot complements a blazer/denim combination perfectly and will allow your looks to register as more dressed up. Suede shoes add dimension and texture, lending a more layered aesthetic. Leather also works extremely well for this combination.
With such a simple combination, you will need to accessorize strategically. You do not want an outfit that is convoluted, yet you will still want to dress up a simple pair of jeans and a blazer. Go for pocket squares, one-toned hats, ties, and other playful touches to keep your looks fresh and different. A great pair of sunglasses will complete your outfit perfectly.
Darker jeans work well for versatility. Grey blazers work best with darker denim, particularly with black and darker navies. Beige blazers can also work, but ensure they are lightweight and won’t be overshadowed by too-dark jeans. Darker jeans are also another great way to incorporate a tweed blazer.
If you love a bit of a fade in your jeans, you are obviously going to prefer a blazer that is darker so that you can have a bit of distinction between the separates. For lighter-wash types of denim, team them with navies, emerald greens, and traditionalist colors so you can get more of a grounded look.
