How to style a blazer: six elevated looks

If one piece earns its place in a wardrobe after 40, it's the blazer. It pulls an outfit together in seconds, adds structure, and takes you from a coffee run to dinner without a second thought. Here are six ways to wear it.

1. The one to own

Choose a soft-shoulder blazer in a neutral — stone, navy or black — that skims rather than boxes you in. Browse our jackets and blazers.

2. Over a dress

Layer it over a midi dress to make a summer frock work for the office or a cooler evening.

3. With wide-leg trousers

A blazer with relaxed, wide-leg trousers is the modern alternative to a suit — elegant and easy to move in.

4. Smart with jeans

Straight or wide jeans, a simple tee and a blazer is the failsafe smart-casual formula.

5. Sleeves pushed, shoulders relaxed

Push the sleeves to the forearm and let the shoulders sit naturally for an unstudied, current look.

6. One tonal colour

Matching the blazer to your trousers in one shade lengthens the frame instantly.

Frequently asked

What blazer is most flattering after 40? A single-breasted, soft-shoulder blazer that ends around the hip, in a neutral colour — it adds structure without stiffness.

Can you wear a blazer in summer? Yes — choose a lightweight, unlined style and wear it over a dress or with a tee and wide-leg trousers.

Shop the edit: jackets & blazers.