Every man needs at least one blazer (or sports jacket if you’re in the US) in their wardrobe, ideally in navy. From there, guys can begin to expand their sartorial horizons with the introduction of new colours and fabrics.
The great thing about men’s blazers – and subsequently the reason you should own one – is that they are a perfect piece for effortlessly turning casual outfits into smart casual outfits. Looking just as good with a pair of jeans or chinos as they do with matching suit pants, the blazer is truly a versatile menswear essential.
There is much to consider when buying a blazer, however, such as colour, fit and fabric, and you also need to determine whether a structured or unstructured blazer will work best for the occasion(s) you’re going to wear it to.
Not sure what we mean by that? Read on for a brief rundown of all there is to know before buying a blazer, and then take a look at our selection of the best blazers for men.
Different blazer fits and fabrics
Structured Blazers & Sports Jackets
The structured blazer is all about the fit: cut super close to the body while maximising shape, helped out with some padding, linings and the inner jacket mechanics. Richer looking, the structured blazer requires quality fabric and engineering best seen to by a tailor or a reputable suit store.
It will normally carry more defined shoulders than an unstructured blazer, feel luxurious to touch, and hug the body to enhance the slim fit. At first glance too, the jacket will appear simpler, elegant, with minimal details and doesn’t discriminate against the lapel: peak, shawl and/or notch. Needless to say, it’s a seamless pairing with ties.
Unstructured Blazers & Sports Jackets
The unstructured blazer is for those gents who are maybe more blue-collar or artsy in their profession and don’t need traditional workplace attire. Or, perhaps you just prefer a relaxed approach to incredible style. Unstructured blazers are designed to mould to the body, are relaxed and boast a less rigid shape.
More commonly known as a ‘sports coat’, they still cut sharp on the shoulder and can hug close to the body of the wearer. But, unstructured blazers give a softer, relaxed fit – falling from the shoulder peak fluidly. Stripped bare, the unstructured jacket is just that – unstructured, so the typical inner folds and shapes given to retaining a jacket’s shape, are gone.
Casual details may be added though: front pockets, exposed seams, lack of lining, multiple buttons and sometimes buttons in contrast colour to the jacket fabric itself. Plus, they are more likely to be made from one piece of cloth, so they are thinner, making them great for winter layering or going solo as a light add-on for summer.
Blazer Fabrics
Most commonly, blazers are crafted with wool but you can get blazer in a variety of fabrics to suit your needs. You can easily get a cotton or linen blazer if you’re needing a blazer for summer or warmer temperatures, but if you’re after an all-rounder that’ll be durable and comfortable enough to wear all year long, you really can’t go past a wool blazer.
Men’s Blazer FAQs
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If you’re ready to add a blazer to your wardrobe, take a look at these brands we’ve selected for making the absolute best blazers for men.
Suitsupply
1/18Price: From $199
Sizes: XXS-4XL
Material: 100% Wool
Customer Reviews: “Suitsupply is definitely the spot to go!”
Dutch-based company Suitsupply has been supplying suits to gents since the year 2000. It has consistently been regarded as one of the best places for men to get their suiting needs, as it perfectly marries together well-made designs with incredibly high-quality fabrics. Best of all, Suitsupply charges much lower prices than the quality of its suits would suggest.
We could, therefore, have chosen pretty much any blazer from the company’s catalogue, but have settled on this green Havana jacket, partly because we just love the colour. However, it has plenty of substance too, such as being made from a silk-linen blend fabric from Italian company Ferla. It’s an unstructured blazer too, so is best suited for spring and summer, with its slim-fit silhouette making it the perfect partner to a pair of tailored chinos.
Suitsupply is a no brainer for the best blazers for men.
Hugo Boss
2/18Price: From $645
Sizes: 36-44
Material: 100% Virgin wool
Customer Reviews: “The garment quality is always luxurious and softer than the products on offer in other cheaper stores. All in all you definitely get what you pay for.”
German fashion brand Hugo Boss is one of the go-to brands when it comes to luxury suiting. With fitment and quality of fabric being two main factors that go into every piece it creates, you can be sure a Hugo Boss blazer will not only make you look impeccable but last you for years on end.
The main baulk of Hugo Boss’ sport coat range is made from virgin wool, with pure wool and cotton thrown in for good measure. Available in multiple colours and styles, Hugo Boss make some great blazers on the market.
Bonobos
3/18Price: From $298
Sizes: 36-46
Material: 100% Italian cotton
Customer Reviews: “Ridiculously comfortable, looks really relaxed. Wear it to the Symphony or just out for drinks. Nice all in one Blazer.”
Bonobos was born because founders, Andy Dunn & Brian Spaly, couldn’t find men’s pants that fit (they were either too tight or too boxy) and wanted to fix this common problem men face while shopping. They fixed it with their not-so-secret secret: all Bonobos’ pants have a curved waistband that conforms to the natural shape of men’s waists.
Bonobos then expanded into producing awesome shirts, suits, swimwear; you name a piece of men’s clothing, they do it; including blazers. Bonobos has a huge range with multiple colours, prints, fits, fabrics, and styles available. Whether you’re after a casual or formal men’s blazer, Bonobos will have it.
Ministry of Supply
4/18Price: From $328
Sizes: XS-XXL
Material: 100% Primeflex warp-knit Japanese polyester
Customer Reviews: “Looks extremely nice! Clean lines. Slim and sharp. Quality is top notch.”
You don’t typically think of ‘science’ when you’re clothes shopping and yet, science drives everything Ministry of Supply does. They use science and engineering techniques to create garments that are comfortable, breathable, stretchy, sweatproof, are easy to care for, and will give you a full range of motion.
Their range of blazers is excellent, and every style has been engineered with moisture wicking, wrinkle-resistant, and machine-washable fabrics for easy wear and care.
Flint & Tinder
5/18Price: From $188
Sizes: S-XXL
Material: Cotton
Customer Reviews: “Goes with everything, fits perfect, easy button for dressing up jeans and tee.”
With blazers often being considered a piece of outerwear, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that outerwear specialists try their hand at producing their own interpretations. Flint & Tinder happens to be one of the best outerwear brands in the business and has a couple of blazers to back up that reputation.
J. Crew
6/18Price: From $178
Sizes: 34-46
Material: Cotton, linen
Customer Reviews: “This is really the jacket I’ve been looking for. Fits perfect, lightweight, and the unstructured look works for all but the most formal occasions.”
The go-to clothier for preppy Ivy League students and young professionals, J. Crew certainly knows a thing or two about the humble blazer (and its natural chino partner). If you’re after bold, garish prints or colours, then you’ll want to look elsewhere, but for classic colourings, a precision fit and quality, J. Crew is one of the best.
The company’s Ludlow suit series has been going since 2008, so must be doing something right. Available in both structured and unstructured, guises, it’s the latter we particularly love. Made from a woollen/cotton blend from British fabric mill Abraham Moon & Sons, this blazer can be worn in practically any way you can imagine whether it be over a t-shirt in summer or a cashmere sweater in winter. If you’d rather something a little more substantial, it can be in a twill fabric too.
Everlane
7/18Sustainable clothing brand Everlane is one you should be getting behind. Consistently a producer of well-made and stylish pieces, you could easily have a wardrobe comprising all Everlane gear.
Everlane’s Italian wool jacket – available in navy, charcoal and black – is the perfect entry-point into the world of blazers.
Rocking a classic, single-breasted two-button silhouette and benefitting from a fully recycled breathable inner lining – and, being Everlane, is comfortably affordable – it’s just begging to be experimented with.
Ted Baker
8/18Price: From $395
Sizes: XS-XXXL
Material: Linen, polyester
Customer Reviews: “I have all these suits in basic colors and they’re the perfect thing to wear to work!”
British designer menswear label Ted Baker is one that is well-associated with smart casual and formal dress, whether it be an eccentric shirt or knitted sweater. The brand is also known for its sartorial pieces, and its sport coat collection often incorporates funky designs and patterns in the lining.
Faherty
9/18Price: From $198
Sizes: XS-XXL
Material: Cotton, polyester
Customer Reviews: “Perfect blazer for everything from work to weekend fun.”
Family-owned Faherty was founded to provide men with a range of beach-inspired clothing that is sustainably made, rugged, and long-lasting. The brand now has an extensive collection of sweaters, t-shirts, shorts, swimwear, and outerwear, with a long list of blazers included.
Faherty’s small range of men’s blazers will be able to semi-formalise any outfit you put on, while also being a suitably casual piece paired with the likes of shorts and a t-shirt. Talk about versatility.
Todd Snyder
10/18Price: From $548
Sizes: 36-46
Material: Wool, cotton
Customer Reviews: “The fabric is very smooth and sturdy. A stylish look for various social and formal occasions!”
Todd Snyder blazers is a particular favourite for us here at DMARGE. The ex-Ralph Lauren designer has taken his knowledge of taking menswear essentials and giving them that expert designer twist to create a clothing brand that you really should be checking out. You name it, Todd has put his spin on it.
His range of men’s blazers is extremely impressive. Crafted from premium fabrics and available in various colours and styles, Todd Snyder’s blazers will pair perfectly with suit trousers or can easily be dressed down with some denim.
Charles Tyrwhitt
11/18Price: From $199
Sizes: XS-XXXL
Material: 100% Woolmark-certified merino wool
Customer Reviews: “Blazer looks nice and is made by high quality material.”
British shirtmaker turned sartorial and formalwear king Charles Tyrwhitt knows all too well how to make a guy look good. Understanding the various bodily proportions guys can have, Charles Tyrwhitt blazers are produced in a wide range of sizes so you can find the perfect fit.
This cotton blazer is made from a blended fabric combining cotton and TENCEL, an environmentally-friendly fibre that is supersoft and allows for improved breathability. It makes it suitable for year-round wear, keeping you warm when its cold and cool when its hot.
Reiss
12/18Price: From $475
Sizes: 36-46
Material: Viscose, nylon, polyester
Customer Reviews: “By far my favourite clothing line! Excellent clothes (I could literally buy everything), great customer service and very nice stores.”
Reiss is another brand well-versed in the art of quality menswear. With its home country of Great Britain as inspiration, the brand has been creating pieces of quality for the dapper British gent since 1971 and has since expanded to other countries. And, having started life selling men’s tailoring, its blazer range continues to receive a lot of love and attention.
Available in many timeless colours, Reiss’ blazers will give you an effortlessly polished look whether you pair it with jeans and a t-shirt, or trousers, a button-up, and a tie.
Uniqlo
13/18Price: From $80
Sizes: XXS-XXXL
Material: Cotton, polyester
Customer Reviews: “This product is amazing, it fits true to size. The shoulder pads line up well and the sleeves aren’t too long. Perfect fit overall!”
Japanese brand Uniqlo consistently knocks out well-made menswear staples time and time again. Not just a brand to rely on for more casual clothing, but one that has formidable formalwear too.
Uniqlo does indeed offer woollen blazers for such formal occasions, but for outright versatility, its the Comfort Jacket you’re going to want. Looking every bit the formal blazer, the Comfort Jacket is in fact made from a cotton jersey material that gives it a much more casual edge. It’s wrinkle-free qualities mean you’ll never have to reach for an iron while quick-drying properties ensure it’s fresh to wear every morning.
Paul Smith
14/18Price: From $640
Sizes: XS-XXL
Material: 100% Wool
Customer Reviews: “Paul Smith suit jacket is a modern essential for any purpose and any season.”
British fashion designer Paul Smith has always been one to rely on for well-made menswear staples, but he’s also one who enjoys being quirky where appropriate. Naturally, the brand can be well-associated with British formalwear and gents who care about their appearance, and so the company’s tailoring range has options to suit all looks.
Expertly tailored, Paul Smith’s blazers come in playful styles and colours. Any Paul Smith blazer will not only be the ideal accompaniment for weddings and cocktail parties, but weekend drinks, and even date night. She’ll love the confidence you’ll exude in such an uncommon yet polished blazer.
Club Monaco
15/18Price: From $298
Sizes: 36-44
Material: Polyester, viscose, cotton
Customer Reviews: “Perfect blazer for easy work wear, or paired down with a pair of jeans. Quality material and workmanship lets me know that I will have this blazer for years to come.”
Offering gents a collection of everyday essentials that are made to a higher standard than your run-of-the-mill high-street brand. With a penchant for high-quality materials, Club Monaco is a brand for the modern professional who wants to look as good as he feels.
The Grant Wool Blazer is, as the name suggests, made from a woollen blend fabric and cut to a tailored fit to enhance your upper body proportions. You can forget about potentially unsightly sweat stains too, as the underarms are fitted with guards to save you the embarrassment.
Orlebar Brown
16/18Price: From $595
Sizes: XS-XXL
Material: Linen, cotton
Customer Reviews: “I love it. Perfect fit. Beautifully made. I love the brand.”
Orlebar Brown may be synonymous with tailored swim shorts, but in-keeping with the summer theme, has expanded its collections to include an array of clothing suited to warmer weather, including unlined blazers.
Orlebar Brown’s blazers are incredibly lightweight and come in a few neutral colours. These blazers are perfect for summer weddings, or hot days where you have to wear a blazer, as they’ll keep you looking good while also keeping you cool.
M.J. Bale
17/18Price: From $399
Sizes: 36-50
Material: 100% Australian superfine merino wool
Customer Reviews: “This is one of my favourite menswear retailers in Australia, excellent prices and fits. They often go on sale, so their shirts, pants and suits are a bargain.”
M.J. Bale is Australia’s answer to London’s Saville Row. Founded by Matt Jensen in 2009, M.J. Bale is a clothier for the gent who values quality tailoring. Sticking to its Australian roots, M.J. Bale aims to use as many materials from Down Under as possible, including merino wool.
M.J. Bale’s blazers are incredibly stylish yet versatile and will look at home in both smart casual and formal settings alike.
Alex Mill
18/18Price: From $195
Sizes: XS-XXL
Material: 100% Linen
Customer Reviews: “Light enough for summer, with a good weight to keep you comfy in a cooler or windier setting. Not too delicate, which some linen can be.”
American fashion brand Alex Mill was founded with the aim of creating the “perfect shirt”. Since then its amassed a following of loyal fans who appreciate simple, timeless style.
The Mill Blazer is a prime example of a well-made unstructured blazer. Made from a combination of cotton and linen, the Mill is available in a multitude of garment-dyed colours, expanding the breadth of your wardrobe. Its unstructured nature certainly leans it towards casual settings, but the classic silhouette and linen material mean it be the perfect formal jacket for summer formal events.