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How Do I Choose the Best Short-Sleeved Blazer?

S. Gonzales
S. Gonzales

The versatility of short-sleeved blazers makes them great additions to both informal and formal outfits. They can even be used between seasons. Investing in a short-sleeved blazer means that you'll have something in your wardrobe that you can use all year round and with many different types of outfits. To choose the best short-sleeved blazer, it's important to determine which outfits you'll want to wear your blazer with and how you will wear it, because these factors will help you decide the color or style to choose.

You might find that certain types of short-sleeved blazers are better suited to be used with specific outfits. Bolero jackets are often paired with formal dress. Jackets such as these complement pencil skirts or other form-fitting clothes. They work especially well with dresses that have top halves that expose a lot of skin. For example, a bolero jacket can cover the top half of a halter dress or strapless dress for a more modest look.

Woman with hand on her hip
Woman with hand on her hip

If you'd prefer to wear your short-sleeved blazer with more casual outfits, consider pairing the blazer with denim. Short-sleeved blazers can look great with denim jeans, skirts and dress shirts and cotton tees. They can instantly add a little bit of sophistication to the most casual of outfits.

Department stores aren't the only places where a short-sleeved blazer can be bought. If none of the modern designs or styles of short-sleeved blazers appeal to you, consider going to a vintage shop and looking for an alternative. Keep in mind that a vintage short-sleeved blazer might cost more than a blazer bought a department store, because vintage pieces are one-of-a-kind.

If you plan on wearing something in your outfit with complex patterns, choose a short-sleeved blazer that is of a solid color. A solid color will balance out the patterns and help make you look put-together. If you want to go the minimal route, wear a camisole or tank top underneath your blazer to give the perception that you are wearing only your blazer on top.

You can layer clothes underneath your short-sleeved blazer to make your outfit more interesting and to complement your skin tone. You might have noticed that many people pair a short-sleeved blazer with a long-sleeved shirt. Long-sleeved shirts can bring out a blazer's great characteristics, if the shirt is fitted and doesn't detract from a blazer's outerwear function. When layering using shirts, make sure that you choose a shirt with a color that works with the blazer's color.

Discussion Comments

Mykol

@myharley - Shopping the sales is a great way to find a good buy on a short-sleeved blazer, or any blazer for that matter.

I have a black boyfriend blazer that I got for only a few dollars and I wear that it all the time. This was on sale at the end of January when they were getting ready to display the spring merchandise.

I also like to shop at the thrift stores. I have found some great looking blazers there. Many of them look like they have barely been worn, and some of them still have the price tag on them.

The only thing I am careful about when shopping there is to make sure they are still in style. I am pretty selective about style, and don't want to wear a blazer that looks like my grandma would have worn.

myharley

I think everyone should have at least one casual blazer in their wardrobe. I don't work outside the home, but still like to look fashionable and up to date.

Throwing on a blazer over my outfit is a quick way to look a little bit more dressed up. I have both long sleeved and short sleeved blazers, and which one I wear depends on the temperature outside.

What I like about denim blazers is not only do they look great with a pair of jeans or capris, but also look nice with a summer skirt.

I also have denim blazers in more than one color. The most common color is the blue jean denim, but I also have a white and a red denim blazer.

Short sleeved blazers don't have to cost a lot of money. I have found most of mine at year end clearance sales. They stay in fashion for a long time, so I don't feel like I am wasting my money buying them off season.

SarahSon

When it comes to short sleeved blazers I have more than one in my closet. I work in an office building and most days need to dress professionally.

I think a blazer always give a professional look and they are also very versatile. Most of my blazers are in solid colors so I can mix and match them with a lot of outfits.

I have both a black and a navy blazer for women, I find these are the ones I wear most of the time. During the warmer months, I also have a white short sleeved blazer that goes with a lot of things too.

Many times I will also wear a scarf under my blazer and this gives me more options when it comes to mixing and matching my colors.

sunshined

@strawCake - I am with you on the summer air conditioning. There are many times when I am cold in a building during the summer.

Having some extra warmth is always a good idea. I love wearing summer dresses, but also don't want to freeze when I am inside.

Having some dressy bolero jackets to choose from allows me to wear my summer dresses and tops, yet wear something over them that looks nice and keeps me warm if I need it.

I don't think you can go wrong with a nice short sleeved blazer. As long as it goes well with your outfit, it gives you the option wearing it, or looking great without it.

strawCake

I wear bolero jackets in the summer a lot. I usually wear them to formal events like weddings. It gives me a lot more options as to what dress to choose, because I never know if the air conditioning is going to be up really high in the venue.

Usually I get a nice strapless or spaghetti strap dress and then pair it with a matching bolero. If I get too hot during the reception, I can always take the bolero off. But if the air conditioning is really going, I can still be comfortable!

ceilingcat

@JaneAir - That sounds like a good plan. If you're short on cash you can always check places like Goodwill too. They usually have a whole section of suit separates. Last time I was there I saw a womens black blazer that I just had to have.

Now, I personally usually wear short-sleeved blazers in the winter. I love the way they look over a long sleeved shirt. I find that when I try to wear a long-sleeved blazer over a long sleeved shirt I just get too hot, so a short-sleeved blazer is a good compromise.

JaneAir

When I worked at an office, I used to wear a short sleeve jacket to the office in the summer. I still wanted to look professional, but it was just too hot to wear a regular long sleeved blazer.

I didn't want to buy a whole new summer wardrobe (I wasn't making very much money at the time), so what I did was go back to the store where I had bought my suits. I was able to find a few short sleeve-sleeved blazers that matched the pants and skirts that I already had. This way, I didn't have to buy a whole new suit, but I still matched!

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