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How Do I Choose the Best Blazers for Men?

Nick Mann
Nick Mann

Blazers are wardrobe accessories that are popular because of their style and versatility. They can be worn for casual dress with jeans or for more formal occasions with slacks. Choosing the best blazers for men essentially depends upon four factors. These are the size, material, style and number of vents.

Selecting the right size is one of the most important components when looking for blazers for men. Having the right fit optimizes one's appearance, while having an improper fit can result in an awkward appearance. A properly fitted blazer will correspond to a man's height. Sizes will generally include small, regular and large. Measuring the chest size and arm length to determine size should be done before beginning to shop in order to make the process easier.

Blazers can range from casual to formal.
Blazers can range from casual to formal.

The next aspect to address when choosing blazers for men is the material. Some common materials include wool, cotton, corduroy and linen. Each has its pros and cons and making a choice basically depends upon an individual's needs and personal taste. Wool is better in cooler climates, while linen is best for warmer ones. Corduroy is a good option when a man is looking for a nice balance between casual and formal.

Each option also requires different types of care during cleaning. Dry cleaning tends to be the ideal option for most blazers, but home washing also works for certain materials. The inner label will explain the best way to care for the garment.

Measure arm length and chest size the day you start shopping for a blazer.
Measure arm length and chest size the day you start shopping for a blazer.

The style is another important factor when selecting blazers for men. Some of the most fundamental components of style include the color, the look — whether classic or modern — and the type of buttons. Choosing a basic color like black, gray or dark blue often works best if the individual plans on wearing several styles of pants with the blazer. Other less traditional colors usually have less versatility.

Classic blazers can provide a vintage look that is often ideal for many formal occasions. Modern styles can usually work for both casual and formal occasions. Buttons can come in nearly every color and range from one to three in number. Selecting buttons is mainly dependent upon the individual's preference, but two buttons is most common.

The number of vents is an additional factor to consider when looking at blazers for men. Options include one central vent, two side vents or no vents. Basically, the more vents there are, the wider the range of movement and vice versa. As a result, more vents usually means a higher level of comfort and breathability.

Discussion Comments

jonrss

How do you guys feel about leather blazers for men? I know that they are not traditional and in some circumstances they can look down right ridiculous but I have seen a few that I have really liked.

Basically, I don't know if I can pull off being the guy who shows up in a leather blazer. I have never been a very stylish dresser and this would definitely be a plunge for me. But I feel like I need to do something to stand out and a nice leather blazer might be just the thing.

chivebasil

Every man should have a nice black jacket. It is the perfect centerpiece for your style. You can wear it with jeans, khakis or as part of a suit. It can be a way to dress up or to dress down in more formal settings. And, best of all, black jackets makes anyone look sleek, elegant and mysterious.

gravois

No sport coat is perfect until it has been tailored by a skilled tailor to fit your figure. There are few garments more flattering to a man than a well fit blazer. But if you buy them off the rack you will only get an approximation of a good fit. You need to seek out someone who is really good with needle and thread to size that jacket just for you.

I have been going to the same tailor for about 15 years now. He is the best in the area and he knows just how I like my clothes to fit. I take everything to him to get re sized. The added cost isn't that expensive and now all my clothes look great.

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    • Blazers can range from casual to formal.
      By: Africa Studio
      Blazers can range from casual to formal.
    • Measure arm length and chest size the day you start shopping for a blazer.
      By: Antonioguillem
      Measure arm length and chest size the day you start shopping for a blazer.