Chances are, you already own a few blazers. Maybe you wear them to work, paired with tailored trousers or chinos. Or perhaps they’ve been gathering dust since Covid turned your wardrobe into a sea of hoodies and baggy-kneed sweatpants. Either way, the suit jacket is back in a big way, and right now, the best way to wear one is casually.
Look no further than the menswear runways of Europe for inspiration. Haider Ackermann’s recent debut for Tom Ford showcased a grey herringbone blazer with the lapels confidently popped over a pair of black leather trousers, and the look was both easy and edgy. (Tom Ford himself has long mastered the art of pairing blazers with jeans, always exuding an enviable air of cool.) Dries Van Noten took a similarly relaxed approach, styling oversized blazers over tanks, shorts, and even sweatpants. Beyond the runway, big names on campus are embracing the look, too. At the SAG Awards, chaotic-twink-in-chief Drew Starkey sent the internet into a frenzy with a sharp navy blazer, taupe trousers, and a scarf worn as a tie. Yet while the sartorial opportunities of a casual blazer are limitless, nailing the look requires a few key considerations.
First, you need to choose the right blazer. Grabbing any old suit jacket and throwing it over a pair of rubbish jeans won’t cut it. Instead, opt for a blazer designed to stand on its own. A textured tweed, an oversized silhouette that doubles as a coat, or a beautifully-cut unstructured jacket will all work well. Pick something you love and build your look around it.
It’s also important to get your colors right. If you’re wearing a navy blazer, you can’t go wrong with some stone chinos and a crisp white shirt—I love a collarless one. And if your blazer features a bold color or pattern, keep the rest of your outfit pared back (think tonal, simple, and clean).
And finally, especially right now, remember to prioritize a relaxed fit. The key to the success of a laid-back blazer look is the cut. Softer shoulders, longer silhouettes, and relaxed fabrics will all help you strike that fine balance between elegance and understatement. With that in mind, here are five foolproof ways to style a blazer casually.
Five GQ-Approved Casual Blazers
Spread Out On Date Nights
With any date night, the goal is to look devastatingly handsome and refined, but also like you didn’t try too hard. In 2025, the easiest way is to stick with a dark, mysterious palette and a silhouette that flatters without looking forced. Start with a draped, unstructured blazer—Our Legacy’s unlined double-breasted jackets fall as gracefully as something from Savile Row, for a fraction of the price. The important thing here is that you look comfortable and at ease—even going one size up (perhaps to help you drape an arm over your partner more easily) is a more than acceptable move. Pair the jacket with some loose (but still dark and well-cut) jeans to amplify the loucheness. Lastly, a close-cut tonal knit keeps things sharp, while sleek loafers add the right amount of polish.
Wear Cashmere, Increase Your Cashflow
So you work in a less-formal office, but still want the boss to know you can rise to the occasion. Very wise. Let me tell you: Nothing signals confidence and competence like a beautifully-tailored cashmere blazer. This Banana Republic piece strikes a good balance: It’s structured enough to command the room, yet soft enough to retreat into when the pressure is on. Though it’ll pair excellently with an Oxford shirt and jeans for the weekend, I feel a promotion-worthy look calls for something sharper. Opt for wide-legged chinos in a complimentary shade, a crisp white shirt, and tonal boat shoes—to demonstrate that you mean business but also that your weekends are strictly your own.
Read in Tweed
Sundays are for peak relaxation, so your blazer should match the mood. Enter, tweed. Once the fabric of choice for the British upper classes on shooting weekends, it now lends itself to plenty of laid-back-yet-refined off-duty looks. Tweed pairs brilliantly with blue, so layer it over a tonal shirt, some well-fitted jeans, and finish with boots in a shade that’s in conversation with that of your blazer. The result is a look so clean, you yourself may soon end up in those New York Times style pages.
Show Your Vacation Destination Respect
Let’s face it: The Europeans mastered the art of the summer blazer long ago. Whether tossed over a breezy beach shirt with white jeans or—whisper it—some shorts, the key to keeping the distinguished traveler look fresh for 2025 is about embracing relaxed proportions and earthy tones. Take this brown Dries Van Noten blazer, designed to be worn with the collar popped for Mediterranean élan. Layer it over a roomy oatmeal grandad shirt, wide-leg trousers in a pale shade, and a pair of easy suede loafers for peak summer chic.
Wear The Same Color Head-to-Toe
Color drenching is set to dominate Spring/Summer ‘25. Beyond being very on-trend, it’s also one of the easiest ways to dress for smarter occasions. The concept is simple: pick a single hue and stick to it, head to toe (yes, even your socks). It’s also a foolproof way to wear a blazer casually while still looking polished. Take this Massimo Dutti single breasted jacket. Pair it with a plush cashmere rollneck and Studio Nicholson trousers—tailored in suit fabric but cut with the ease of tracksuit bottoms—and you’ll end up with a look that’s completely cohesive and ridiculously comfortable.
