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With simple lines and a flattering, masculine fit, the classic, nautical-inspired blazer jacket<\/a> is a worthy men’s wardrobe staple. It differs from a suit jacket in that it doesn’t come with a matching pair of trousers and is thus a stand-alone separate that can be worn with different pairs of pants. It also differs from a sports jacket in that the latter is generally thicker, comes in a wider variety of fabric materials, patterns, and textures, and includes more design details like extra pockets, while the former is generally simpler and more structured with a thinner, smoother, “hard-finish” wool fabric. (You can learn more about the differences between the three jackets here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n On the formality scale, the blazer resides just below the suit jacket and just above the sports jacket, but can be dressed up or down to encompass a wide variety of styles and dress codes. While blazers come in various colors, the most traditional and versatile of this already flexible garment is navy blue. Sharp and masculine, a navy blazer looks great and goes with just about everything. To enhance its versatility even further, choose one that is single-breasted, with plastic or mother-of-pearl buttons that match or complement the color of the fabric. While a double-breasted cut with brass buttons is most traditional, it’s also more formal looking, limiting your ability to wear it in a more casual way.<\/p>\n While you can theoretically dress a blazer up and down, many men aren’t sure what to wear with it generally, nor what to wear with it to suit particular dress codes specifically; consequently, their jacket sits in the closet, getting used less often than it could. So below we offer a descriptive and visual guide on to how to wear a blazer in everything from more formal to more casual occasions.<\/p>\n Traditional semi-formal calls for a dark-colored suit, but you can also get away with wearing a blazer with separate pants, especially if the event is in the daytime. Ditto for dressing up a blazer as business wear when you need to look professional, but don’t need to wear a full suit. A more structured, tailored-looking jacket works best in these scenarios; if you own a double-breasted blazer and\/or one with brass buttons, this is where it would be most appropriate to bust out.<\/p>\n On top, a light-colored shirt contrasts nicely with the dark blazer, so pair it with a white dress shirt for a more formal look, or a light blue shirt for a less formal one. On the bottom, you want to wear trousers that complement the blazer. Black and navy are out; you want your pants to neither be darker than your blazer, nor too close in color to it — otherwise, the overall outfit will look too much like a suit that doesn’t quite match. Gray wool trousers are a great option; light-colored trousers or chinos are little less formal, but still look sharp.<\/p>\n A blazer is a simple jacket<\/a>, so think about your accessories, too. Tucking a pocket square in the front pocket<\/a> adds some visual interest, a nice striped tie lends the right level of formal panache, and a leather dress belt<\/a> and leather dress shoes<\/a> will pull the outfit together.<\/p>\n This category is really the sweet spot for the blazer. It’s perfect for those times when wearing a full suit is out, but you still want to look sharp and put-together. Whether you’re going out for a nice dinner, attending a networking event, going to an Easter church service, meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time, or headed to back-to-school night, the blazer is a great choice.<\/p>\n The quintessential blazer combo is blazer + white button-down shirt + khakis. Worn with great-fitting garments, it’s a simple get-up that can still really look sharp. But, it can also be a little boring and read as an older man’s look (which may or may not be desirable, depending on your age). It’s easy to mix things up a tad, though; sub in a light-colored, striped, or checked shirt up top, and even try rocking jeans on the bottom. Complement the look with leather dress shoes or boots and a more casual leather belt — solid, braided, or leather-backed ribbon. Consider tucking in an interesting-patterned pocket square for extra flair as well.<\/p>\n Keeping the tie (making it something more matte and textured), but pairing it with chinos and a patterned (or even chambray shirt), creates a get-up that’s less formal than those above, but still looks very sharp and put-together.<\/p><\/div>\n The blazer arguably looks its very best without a tie, simply paired with a crisp button-down shirt. As mentioned, a white button-down is a failsafe option, but light blue and light pink<\/a> also look great. Wear leather dress shoes for a dressier look, or driving moccasins or boat shoes for a more casual look. In cold months, a thin v-neck sweater can be added for an additional layer of warmth and style<\/a>. <\/p><\/div>\n For the confident gent who wants to break away from the tan-colored-khakis crowd, a navy blazer paired with red\/rust chinos or corduroy<\/a> pants makes for a handsome, attention-grabbing look. Pairing a blazer with white pants is another option, of course, and a traditional one at that, but the look is so preppy in pedigree, it’s hard to pull off outside a horse race or country club visit.<\/p><\/div>\n Pairing a blazer with denim is certainly doable, and a great way to make the look more casual, while still maintaining a dressed-up, out-for-a-special-occasion appearance. To avoid a quasi-matching, pseudo-suit feel, you want your jeans to be a lighter color than your blazer. But still keep them on the dressier end — not too<\/em> light and washed out, tailored in cut, closer-fitted, and free from holes and distressing — so they don’t clash with the formality of your jacket. <\/p><\/div>\nSemi-Formal\/Business Dress<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nDressy\/Smart Casual<\/h3>\n
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![\"Navy](\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2018\/04\/jacks.png\")
![\"Navy](\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2018\/04\/red.png\")
![\"Navy](\"https:\/\/content.artofmanliness.com\/uploads\/2018\/04\/jeans-blazer.png\")
Casual<\/h3>\n
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