To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories
To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories Dress Supplier
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
By Heidi Quill , Jessie Atkinson and Faye Fearon
Whether worn as part of a suit or with a pair of mismatched trousers, men's blazers are a party season wardrobe essential. Here's our pick of the best to nail smart casual and formal dress codes alike
Despite the negative association of resentment and a need to rebel against "the system" that enforced the school blazer, outside the school gates men's blazers play a rather more sophisticated role.
In essence, a blazer is just the top (best) half of a suit, sawn off and given the freedom to mingle with whichever trousers or jeans it pleases. For that reason, a smart, well-fitted blazer possesses a transformative power, injecting elegance into an otherwise unexciting outfit.
It is the ultimate smart-casual piece, meaning now's the time to invest in a brand new blazer for fancy dinners and evenings out which will soon fill out your calendar again. So, shed your school-day fears and embrace this most versatile tool to have in your wardrobe. From Cos to Gucci, here's our pick of the best blazers a man can buy right now.
For more fashion, grooming, and technology releases delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our GQ Recommends newsletter.
As long as you make sure to avoid what we're terming as ‘the Jeremy Clarkson’ (that's a tweed blazer/ill-fitting blue jeans combo, for the layman), then it's hard to put a foot wrong in the blazer realm. That said, if you're looking for specific recommendations, let us oblige:
For a more casual feel, we'd suggest layering your tailored jacket over a white T-shirt or bowling shirt whilst adding some subtle, silver-toned jewellery for a chic image of elevated everyday wear. When the calendar calls for a more dress-code-friendly look, however, keep things traditional, and pair your blazer with tailored trousers, in either a matching or complimentary hue.
For more fashion, grooming, and technology releases delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our GQ Recommends newsletter.
Linen blazers — and, as a whole, linen suits — are perhaps the smartest purchase you can make for summer. A perennial style hit, this is a piece that ensures you can stay suave no matter how sticky the weather gets. Percival’s design — which comes in green, grey, beige and black in addition to warm navy — is one of the picks of our season. £219. At percivalclo.com
Tom Ford is always spotted with a pair of oversized shades and a perfectly tailored suit, so you can pretty much guarantee that his eponymous label knows a thing or two about creating the ultimate blazer. Inspired by the sartorial glamour of the 1970s, this Atticus blue velvet piece is detailed with broad peak lapels and flap pockets at the front. £2,990. At matchesfashion.com
In the pursuit of the perfect grey suit, it’s too easy to overlook the middle grey shade in favour of silver or charcoal. The happy medium is perfectly demonstrated in this wool-imitating, cool and breezy blazer from Uniqlo. Never satisfied in making something simply attractive, you can bank on this piece being technologically sound, too, with the AirSense engineering at the heart of it all. £69.90. uniqlo.com
Crafted from a luxury wool blend, Paul Smith’s latest offering in the blazer department is a must if your sartorial style sticks to a more traditional silhouette. Stitched with a classic Prince of Wales check across its single-breasted body, it falls with dropped shoulders to add a touch of relaxation upon wear, also promising comfort thanks to the vents in the back. One to last for the long run. £700. At matchesfashion.com
Ever the experts at simple (yet effective) ingredients for a classic menswear wardrobe, Cos’ latest offering in the blazer department is this wool pinstripe design. Expressing enduring style through its streamlined motif, it takes on a contemporary spin through the three-button closure – fastening closer to the neck and therefore creating a more Mod-like stance (a very good thing, FYI). £225. cos.com
If your sartorial preferences tend to revolve around unstructured silhouettes, Raey is the place to source your next blazer. A favourite for the fashion crowd thanks to its mastery of quiet luxury, the elegance of the London-based brand is perfectly demonstrated through this black blazer: woven from a ramie and cotton blend, shaped with a drop shoulder and subtly accented with notch lapels. Simplicity done right. £425. At matchesfashion.com
A single-breasting event by the British brand that has us coming back again and again, this check blazer is set to be a bright spot in your Autumn/Winter wardrobe, with many a country mansion vacation and Christmas party ahead of it. Add the matching trousers for putting the option of a full suit into your rotation. £259 £155. percivalclo.com
Saint Laurent has always been very punky and very rebellious, and this alternative attitude is marvellously channelled through this formal blazer. Tailored to sit in the eveningwear section of your wardrobe, it’s assembled from a luxury wool-grain de poudre and features the most striking set of satin peak lapels on top. £2,365. At matchesfashion.com
If you’re looking for a lighter blazer to incorporate in a layered winter ensemble, Reiss has just the thing for you. Crafted from a 100 per cent linen construction (and therefore providing the most comfortable fit possible), this Kin design is complemented with classic notch lapels and a three-pocket design. It’s also available in two colourways – navy and stone – which are as clean as they are cool. £298. reiss.com
Just four buttons and a deep double-breasted structure give this latest Commas blazer the freedom of a sport coat, easily worn without the matching trousers. Assembled from a breezy linen and cotton blend, the flap pockets and short hem add to the nonchalant effect of this piece, but the bold white shade also ensures eye-catching appeal upon wear. One to invest in advance of the spring season. £605. At matchesfashion.com
Searching for a stylish blazer on a budget? H&M has got you covered, with a special shoutout going to this latest checked style. Shaped in a single-breasted fastening with a regular fit, it’s fully lined and is detailed with an abundance of pockets: from the welt chest and front flaps to three at the interior. For just £40, it’s an easy – and affordable – win. £40. hm.com
Not only is Fear of God’s Jerry Lorenzo a loungewear pro, he’s also a master of tailoring. Case in point? The Eternal blazer. While oversized designs from other labels can look comically large, this one sits perfectly on the shoulders. Crafted from an excellent blend of mohair and wool and falling with a lapel-less profile, it’s perfect for those who favour a minimalist stance via style. £1,000. At mrporter.com
You can’t go wrong with a strong black blazer, especially when it’s sourced from Italian craftsmanship experts: Lardini. Made in Italy from a natural linen texture, this single-breasted style is detailed with broad peak lapels (the right of which is finished with a floral pin) and roomy patch pockets at the front. Make sure to keep the surrounding shades dark for the most classic silhouette. £1,098. At matchesfashion.com
Who said blazers need to be expensive? If you’re on the lookout for a no-nonsense suit jacket to add to your wardrobe, good ol’ Marks & Spencer has just the thing. Painted in a simple yet striking black, it’s available in three different fits and plenty of lengths and sizes, so you can find one that’s absolutely perfect for you. Pair this with some cheap formal shoes and you’re good to go. £65. At marksandspencer.com
The double-breasted blazer might have a long history of serious business, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear yours to the bar (or imminent festive party). Even without its matching pair of trousers, this black design by The Row shines thanks to its boxy cut, neat peak lapels, exacting waist darts, and single-vented back. Sure, it's an investment, but thanks to its classic design, we promise it will never go out of style. £3,560. At matchesfashion.com
With Christmas just around the corner, there's really no greater time to inject some burgundy pieces into your wardrobe, and this blazer by AllSaints is a great way to do it. Assembled from wool and recycled fabrics, it takes a skinny-tailored form and is lightweight upon wear, meaning total ease of movement during the celebrations. Currently on sale with 30 per cent off, you're in for a Black Friday treat. £299 £209.00. allsaints.com
Who said stripes are reserved for summer? Certainly not New York-based brand Nili Loton, whose latest style features a stunning pinstripe motif atop its cream silhouette. Centred by a low double-breasted fastening which accommodates casual and formal outings alike, it's shaped to an impeccably clean frame and finished with tortoiseshell buttons. One to transcend the seasons. £1,455 £654. At matchesfashion.com
If you’re looking for a lightweight blazer to see you through the final weeks of summer, this design by Arket is your best bet. Assembled from a lightweight blend of linen and cotton, it’s cut with a relaxed fit to provide serious comfort and features a high three-button fastening for off-duty appeal. Pair it with your best white trainers for a single-tone style move. £119. arket.com
You just can’t beat a checked blazer, and Marc Darcy’s is one of the best in the business. Quintessentially British, it’s made from a deep blue tweed and contrasted with brown lines throughout. The inside is lined with an intricate pattern, and it’s finished with a four button cuff for a look that even Tommy Shelby would appreciate. Pair this with a complementary pocket square to complete the look. £175. At suitdirect.co.uk
We love a sartorial collaboration, especially when it's cued by the '70s. As the resulting design between fashion house Tiger of Sweden and menswear editor Ben Cobb, this merino-wool blazer spotlights a stunning black and white houndstooth pattern across its single-breasted body – complete with perfect roped shoulders, huge notch lapels and deep patch pockets. A real beauty. £750. At matchesfashion.com
Keeping things classic, this Cos blazer is the master of all smart-casual dress codes thanks to its versatile tailoring and noir black colourway. Crafted from pure, responsibly-sourced, wool and structured with notched lapels and chest darts, this simple piece makes a compelling case for simplicity. £200. At cos.com
Hats off to Jil Sander for offering a casual blazer which still ticks the box for sharp, minimalist style. Incorporating subtle utilitarian details (like patch pockets) across its silhouette, this deconstructed design is made from midweight cotton and is topped with high and neat notch lapels. If you want to embrace the Sander stance in full, good news: there's a pair of trousers to match. £1,790 £805. At matchesfashion.com
Channel your inner Neo this season with this faux leather blazer from Topman. On the days when you’re not learning kung fu or dodging bullets in slow motion, you can add a punch of punk to your fits. Rock this with a clean white T-shirt and a pair of nice trousers and you’ll be more than ready to enter the Matrix in style. £85 £55.50. At asos.com
Call us menswear nerds, but there is something quite thrilling about a tan corduroy blazer. Enter this single-breasted tan style from Drake’s. Crafted from a cotton-corduroy blend, it will score you top sartorial points thanks to its immaculate slim fit structure, broad notch lapels and outer patch pockets. Perfect for autumn’s imminent arrival. £995. drakes.com
Donegal: the home of tweed. Though originally hailing from Donegal, the term has come to generally denote a plain weave tweed with uneven slubs or flecks of a contrasting colour. This rich navy blue tweed oozes suave through the addition of lighter white slubs. The jacket is fully lined, which, in combination with the natural insulating wool makes it winter-ready. Put simply, tweed is a classic, and this jacket proves why. £159. At moss.co.uk
The Issey Miyake Homme Plissé trousers may be the hack to looking smart while feeling as though you’re wearing pyjamas, but what of the blazer? It’s a thumbs up again from us: a lazy man’s styling dream courtesy of ergonomic technical pleats that mimic the comfort of a dressing gown and don’t even need ironing. £865. At matchesfashion.com
Double breasting: in many ways, it’s a superior cut. Cincing, silhouette-enhancing and expensive-looking even when it’s not, this is a traditional silhouette we’ll wear until the sky falls down. Mango’s latest black contribution to the category gets our vote for its slim-fitting dedication to the hourglass shape that goes with the formal and casual alike. £119.99. shop.mango.com
A blazer straight out of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, Massimo Alba’s velvet ‘Baglietto’ takes its name from craftsmen who make superyachts: all round old money vibes. And yet the velvet, patch pocketed relaxed fit of this piece is suited to the frames of all: old money, new money, or even ‘I saved up just for this’ money. £660 £264. At matchesfashion.com
With Greta Gerwig’s Barbie set to be one of this year’s hottest films, we’re all feeling the big, big Ken-ergy. If you want to give your blazer game a Barbiecore makeover, Ralph Lauren Purple Label has the one for you. Tailored in Italy from silk gabardine, this neon pink number is a true wardrobe essential this season. Come on Barbie, let’s go party. £3,930 £1,572. At matchesfashion.com
Guccify-ing heritage silhouettes via ultra-sharp craftsmanship and bold details, Gucci's eveningwear pushes the envelope with this blazer. Assembled from a rich navy velvet texture, this pick broadens the shoulders, cinches at the waist and is finished with turned up sleeve cuffs to expose the striped lining underneath. A flattering fit primed for formal occasions. £2,350. At matchesfashion.com
Ladies Dresses Wholesale If you have navy suits and black tailoring up the wazoo, it might be time to try something fresh – yet still classic. Specifically, we’re talking about a tweed texture, which crafts this single-breasted blazer by Parisian brand Husbands. Featuring a striking ‘glencheck’ across the body, it’s shaped by flattering Roman shoulders, broad notch lapels and horn buttons for the fastening. Just stunning. £1,013. husbands-paris.com