If there’s one piece that’s essential to a man’s wardrobe, it’s a suit. But the stylish guy has gone beyond the basic navy and charcoal grey and added standalone men’s blazers and sports jackets to his outerwear arsenal. Why? They’re an essential for the office, a slam dunk for impressing dates, and perfect for looking sharp for just about any occasion.
Men’s Blazers and Sports Jackets: Trends to Know
Add a small variety of jackets to your closet, and you’ll get a huge array of options that you can dress up or down. Here are a few of the biggest trends to look out for.
Patch Pockets: All the major brands are creating jackets with patch pockets. They most often accompany an unstructured design, and they add a bit of casual flair—great if you want a more laid-back, breezy look. They’re most commonly seen on jackets made out of lightweight khaki cotton or linen, especially jackets in shades like cool blue or a more muted olive (see below).
Green: No, green isn’t the new black, but we’ve sure seen a lot of it. Army green cotton blazers, for example, make a perfect layering piece for stepping up your Sunday brunch apparel or office attire, and they’ll help you stand out from the sea of blues, blacks, and grays. No need to button up, either: Wear the jacket open over a chambray or Oxford shirt.
The Blues: Beyond navy, there are plenty of new blues to work with. From royal blue to seersucker, robin’s egg to muted slate, they all look great with jeans, but they’ll also go nicely with chinos in natural khaki, army green, navy, or grey.
A Touch of Pattern: A pattern can be a breath of fresh air when rocking a blazer. While patterns are common on suits (remember, you shouldn’t wear a suit jacket as a blazer), there are a few casual blazers that offer vibrant plaids and stripes. If you opt for a patterned blazer, pair it with a solid-colored shirt and tie to avoid clashing and let the pattern do the talking.
Ready to start shopping? Here are our favorite men’s blazers right now.
The Best Men’s Blazers and Sports Jackets for 2022
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