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The best men's blazers for a suave sartorial upgrade
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
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
It’s time to set your thoughts of Angus Young aside and rethink your blazer game. The enforced school blazer; the ripped punk relic; the ill-fitting Fleet Street jobbie: none of these jackets will be the subject of discussion today. Instead, we’re going to spotlight the blazer you actually want to wear.
For the purposes of this article, when we refer to a blazer we refer to the top half of a men's suit, also variously known as a jacket or sport coat. Like a jacket of any other kind — a bomber, a biker, an aviator — a great blazer can be worn with any combination of chinos, trousers, tees and shirts, making it one of the most versatile wardrobe purchases of your life.
Whether you’re a traditionalist in search of a herringbone wool number or are in the market for a tuxedo jacket to elevate your weekend fit, this is the place for you to find your new transitional forever piece.
What are GQ's best blazers for men?
You'll find all the blazers worth your consideration in the gallery below, but first, here's what our editors are wearing this season:
- Best affordable blazer: Percival, £229, percivalclo.com
- Best designer blazer: Gucci, £1,850, gucci.com
- Best double-breasted blazer: Polo Ralph Lauren, £749, ralphlauren.co.uk
- Best non-traditional blazer: Arket, £65, arket.com
What is the difference between a blazer, a sport coat and a suit jacket?
As set out excellently by menswear expert @dieworkwear on X, the difference between a blazer, a sport coat and a suit jacket is largely cultural. We echo his general rule that smooth worsted wool and small prints (such as puppytooth and pinstripe) typical of modern day office suiting constitutes more a suit jacket, while a thicker material such as corduroy or tweed is usually part of a sport coat. We also agree that the former should not be worn without its matching trousers, while a sport jacket or more roughly textured suit jacket can be paired with, say, jeans. A blazer on the other hand, has history rooted more in school yards and rowing regattas, often decorated with metal buttons and regalia. For the purposes of this article, when we say ‘blazer’ we’re referring to what would properly be called a sport coat.
What should I wear with a blazer?
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.
How do we select our favourite blazers?
So, how exactly do we choose what constitutes the best blazers for men in 2024? Simple. We know our stuff, we do our research, and we get out there to experience as much product as possible.
Our section head of menswear for GQ Recommends, Heidi Quill, is obsessed with clothes. Joining British GQ in 2021, Heidi might primarily look after clothing content, but she spends a healthy amount of time up to her neck in samples, checking product for the very best quality, price and design, all before recommending it to you. That includes knowing everything there is to know about a good blazer.
There are more than a few blazer styles out there; double-breasted, single-breasted, linen, utilitarian, vintage-inspired, or uber-modern… but, whether you've made your mind up on what exactly you want or not, our team of contributing writers and freelancers (Jessie Atkinson and Faye Fearon) are here to help. Scroll on for their findings…
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