A women's jacket is the single most cost-effective piece of clothing you can have in your closet. It turns a plain t-shirt and a pair of jeans into a well-thought-out outfit in three seconds, and it holds the look together just as well in the office as it does at dinner afterwards.
In this guide, we'll go over why the blazer is so useful, how to find the right fit for your body, which materials go with what, how to style it for different occasions, and which colors are most useful. Below you'll find our current favorites and answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Content
- Why the blazer is the smartest piece in your wardrobe
- Find the right fit
- Materials – how to choose the right one
- Blazer for different occasions
- How to style your jacket
- Colors that provide the most use
- Our favorites right now
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Why the blazer is the smartest piece in your wardrobe
The blazer does something few other pieces can: it adds structure. The shoulders frame the upper body, the lapels create a long vertical line, and the waist is defined without being too tight. The result is that the entire outfit looks more thought out – even when the rest is simple.
It is also unusually resistant to changing demands. The same tailored blazer works over a dress at a wedding, over a blouse at a meeting and over a t-shirt at Saturday lunch. Few garments give you so many outfits per krona.
If you are in the middle of a major wardrobe overhaul, we have collected more tips in our guide on how to update your wardrobe with women's clothing.
Find the right fit
The fit is everything. Start with the shoulders: the shoulder seam should end exactly where your own shoulder ends. If it sits inside, it constricts the upper body, if it ends far outside, the jacket will be loose and shapeless – the exception is of course a deliberately oversized model, where the protruding shoulder is the whole point.
The sleeve should end at the wrist and preferably show one centimeter of the blouse underneath. If you button the jacket, the top button should be at or just above the waist; pull the fabric crosswise over the button if it is too small.
Length determines the silhouette. A short, waist-cut blazer elongates the legs and goes well with high-waisted trousers and skirts. A longline jacket gives a straighter, more dramatic line and acts almost like a thin coat. The same logic that we go through in the guide about which dress suits your body shape applies here.
Materials – how to choose the right one
The material determines both when in the year you can wear the jacket and how formal it feels.
Linen breathes best and is the obvious choice from May to August. It wrinkles – but the slightly casual wrinkle is part of its charm. A linen jacket over a tank top and white pants is the easiest dressed-up outfit of the summer.
Wool and wool blend keeps its shape best, falls beautifully and can withstand frequent wear. It is the material to choose if the jacket is to last for several years.
Polyester blends are easy to care for, wrinkle minimally and are suitable for those who travel a lot or want to be able to throw the jacket in their bag.
Tweed gives texture and a classic, slightly more luxurious feel – great for autumn and parties.
Blazer for different occasions
| Opportunity | Model to choose | Think about |
|---|---|---|
| Offices and meetings | Single-breasted in wool or wool blend, navy blue or black | Keep the length to the hip and match with straight pants |
| Summer job and lunch | Casual linen blazer in beige or white | Roll up the sleeves and skip the buttoning. |
| Party and dinner | Tweed or satin-like fabric, preferably in a deep color | Wear over a dress instead of a cardigan or shawl |
| Wedding | Light jacket in a muted tone that matches the dress | Avoid white and too dark, office-like models |
| Everyday | Oversize in soft fabric | Balance the volume with something narrow at the bottom |
If the jacket is primarily to be worn at work, you can also read our guide on dress for work – many of the arguments about dress code can be applied directly. Before a wedding, the guide will help you dress codes at weddings you to land on the right level.
How to style your jacket
Over the dress. The quickest way to make a summer dress wearable in September is to choose a jacket that ends above the hem of the dress so that the proportions are maintained.
For jeans. A slim fit blazer over straight jeans and a white t-shirt is the most used combination of all – and it looks just as good every time.
As seen. A jacket and trousers in the same fabric create a long, unbroken line that is hard to beat when you want to look put together. The advantage of a jacket and pants set is that the parts also work individually.
Vacantly open. Roll up your sleeves to your forearms, let your jacket hang open, and wear it over a tank top. This is the easiest way to take the formality down a notch.
Feel free to complement with a simple blouse from our range of shirts and blouses and a pair of pants from women's trousers.
Colors that provide the most use
If you're only going to wear one blazer: choose black, navy or beige. These three go with basically everything you already own and never get old.
If you already have a neutral blazer, it's more fun to go with a color – bottle green, burgundy and light pink are all easy to wear and elevate an otherwise simple outfit. slim fit blazer Available in several tones, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
Not sure which shade is right for you? Our guide on what color suits your skin tone goes through it in detail. If you want to read more about the colors of the season, both ELLE and Metro fashion ongoing monitoring.
Our favorites right now
Three jackets that are easy to style and wear:
- Tailored women's blazer – clean, timeless model with pockets that works equally well for work or the weekend.
- Lina linen blazer – light and airy with a relaxed fit, our favorite when it's hot.
- Elegant single-breasted blazer – shaped waist and timeless line for those who want something a little more dressed up.
Frequently asked questions
Which jacket suits all body shapes?
A single-breasted blazer that ends at the hip and has a slightly defined waist is the most forgiving style. It doesn't break the silhouette in an unfortunate place, regardless of body shape.
Should I button my jacket?
Button the top button when you stand up and want to look composed, and unbutton it when you sit down. The bottom button on a two-button jacket is always left unbuttoned.
Can you wear a jacket with a dress?
Absolutely, and that's one of the best uses. Choose a jacket that ends clearly above the hem of the dress, so you don't cut off the length at an inconvenient point.
How do I wash a jacket?
Wool and tweed jackets should be dry cleaned and otherwise aired out – they rarely need to be washed. Linen and polyester jackets can usually be machine washed on cool, but always follow the garment's care instructions.
What is the difference between a jacket and a blazer?
In everyday Swedish, the words are used interchangeably. Traditionally, the blazer is a bit more casual and the jacket is more tailored, but in practice both describe the same garment.
How many jackets do you need?
Two go a long way: a neutral one in wool for dressing up, and a more casual one in linen or soft fabric for everyday wear. A third one in a color is a bonus.
Summary
The blazer is the most profitable piece in your wardrobe because it lifts everything else you own. Start from the shoulders when trying on, choose materials according to the season, stick to black, navy or beige if you're only going to have one - and then dare to go for color once the foundation is in place. The right blazer will keep you wearing it for years.
Ready to find yours? Explore our women's jackets – free shipping within Sweden.
