Finding the best blazers for women is as the top of many fashion editor's wish lists. With the the power to elevate any look, a beautifully-made, timeless blazer is a stylish and versatile addition to any wardrobe, and is well worth the investment.
An integral part of a capsule wardrobe, a blazer has the power to transform any outfit. A good quality blazer can smarten up your best jeans and t-shirt combo, or add a structured twist to a silky evening dress. It can even give a polish to leggings and your best cashmere jumper on the school run. Once you’ve added a blazer to your wardrobe essentials, you'll never look back.
“In my opinion, every capsule wardrobe needs a blazer. Whether it’s an oversized option worn by the likes of Rihanna, or a more fitted style, favored by Meghan Markle, the blazer is an essential piece that can be dressed up or down with key items in your wardrobe,” says Roxy Harding, styling team lead at personal styling platform Stitch Fix.
Best blazers for women—where to shop
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When it comes to the best places to buy women's blazers, you don’t have to spend a fortune. River Island has several good, quality styles that will add some sophistication to your basics, whilst Zara and Mango offer trend-led iterations guaranteed to make a statement.
If you’ve got more budget to blow, look to mid-point brands that excel in tailoring such as Me+Em, and Reiss. If you want a simple, goes-with-everything, black blazer or a luxe-looking velvet number, both brands carry premium styles that will last for years.
“When shopping for a blazer, I always consider the fabric, shoulder placement and length. These elements can completely change the look and feel of your outfit. For example, Whistles offers some fantastic natural linen and jersey styles that create an effortless, casual look; style with a simple cami, high-waisted shorts and sandals. For more formal occasions, wool or viscose blazers are great structured pieces,” says Roxy.
Whatever price point you buy your blazer at, ensuring certain details are on point will mean your blazer has longevity. Look for neat stitching and linings, luxe-looking tortoiseshell, metal or fabric buttons (you can always swap cheap-looking plastic ones), and vents that give shape at the back. Mid-to-heavy weight fabrics will hang well and look more expensive, as will styles that don't have lots of fussy embellishments.
Best blazers for women as chosen by our fashion team
Pastel colors are a major trend for the upcoming season. From sunglasses trends to clothing, ice-cream hues have been a big hit for the ready-to-wear and runway market. Refresh your wardrobe with this bouclé style jacket in a gorgeously soft, icy blue. With a white weave running through the fabric, this blazer is ideal for the spring/summer season as it will pair effortlessly with white and light-wash jeans.
This classic grey, tailored, wool-blend blazer makes for a smart alternative to black and navy iterations. Brighter against all skin tones, grey is just as work-appropriate but a little less harsh—in fact, when plotting out what to wear to an interview, a grey blazer is a smart but softer look for a first meeting. With an oversized fit, be sure to tailor your bottom half if you're worried about being drowned in fabric. Although this has office wear leanings it can easily be dressed down for more casual occasions. Wear over lighter wash denim and a white Broderie Anglaise blouse for a pretty finish.
If you can't decide on where to start with your blazer collection, then a black blazer is often a good gateway into this timeless silhouette. Just like the best little black dresses, a timeless black blazer is a garment you will turn to time and again to help you feel put together, with little effort required. When trying to buy the best black blazer, really take care with the fabric choice and structure of the jacket. This Boss jacket might be expensive but with a composition of 96% wool, this is a warm, high-quality blazer, that will look and feel good. A one-button closure is sharper in terms of style and will help your blazer translate from day to evening with ease.
A fantastic destination for tailoring, Zara does affordable, directional pieces so well. This classic tailored women's blazer can smarten up a multitude of outfits. From pairing it over skinny jeans to teaming it with a pair of palazzo trousers for a more evening-led look, this is a really versatile buy. With pronounced shoulders, this is a strong silhouette for those that want to add more definition to their top half. With an androgynous feel, don't be afraid to add silkier fabrics or floral prints to your outfit to soften the look.
Plus size collections have come a long way and it's great to see more tailored styles appearing in affordable plus-size collections. This black blazer from River Island will easily become a wardrobe essential. The ruched sleeves make it ideal as we start to head towards warmer months and the light tailoring, with added stretch, gives this extra comfort and fit qualities. The statement gold buttons add a bit of a vintage vibe too.
A pinstripe blazer is a classic piece that you can reach for time and time again to sharpen up any look. An androgynous piece, cut to a 'boyfriend' style, this blazer is well-tailored but a little oversized—the fit should look and feel similar to wearing a man's jacket.
When choosing the correct size and fit, ensure that the jacket sits neatly (but not tightly) across the shoulder and is relaxed over the rest of your silhouette. This stylish navy iteration can be worn with navy tailored trousers or with jeans, depending on the occasion.
This unconventional balloon sleeved blazer is great for the season ahead. We've seen plenty of full-sleeves hit the shops over the last few months and this fashion trend has now made its way into blazers. An easy and instant way to dress up your wardrobe basics, throw over a pair of skinny jeans and a simple white t-shirt for a brunch-ready outfit. With a lot of volume on the top, keep the rest of your silhouette quite fitted to avoid drowning your shape. This statement blazer is also ideal for dressing up a simple shift dress for a fresh and directional look.
With a sharp, structured shape, the double-breasted blazer is the ultimate power dressing piece. Reiss's luxe-looking version certainly packs a punch with exaggerated shoulders and high-shine buttons—it would take even a simple t-shirt and jeans up a notch or two. This bright white iteration wins out on versatility. Layer over a crisp cotton shirt for the office, team with a Breton stripe and denim for the weekend or wear over a camisole and silky trousers for a Le Smoking-inspired evening look.
Much like the best leather jackets, a leather blazer will never go out of style and will only get better with age. 100% leather pieces are a real investment look as over time the leather wears and breaks down, almost molding to your shape and style. A blazer is a classic, tailored shape and a great way to inject leather into your closet, particularly if a leather biker jacket is too boxy for your frame. The leather blazer is one of the big fashion trends 2022, so invest now while there are lots of options, but wear forever.
- Browse all Jigsaw blazers from £185 (international shipping available)
Nothing adds a dose of opulence more than plush velvet, and this tuxedo-inspired blazer will help to polish off your occasionwear. Considered details give this blazer extra oomph: clean single-breasted fastening, wide collar and luxe lining. Although at the higher end of the price scale, Net a Porter is one of our go-to stores when it comes to quality tailoring that lasts, as they have such a huge range of designer brands that are well worth the investment. This Nili Lotan blazer is a piece you can pull out for evening occasions time and again. Keep it simple and pair with tailored trousers and sleek stilettos for an elegant after-dark look.
Dopamine dressing has been a huge winter coat trend 2022, helping us all to inject our wardrobe with a little burst of color. This bubblegum pink is a bold choice as we head into spring and a gorgeous way to add the trend to your closet. With two statement front pockets and a chic single button closing, this blazer offers a fashion-forward look when teamed with its coordinating trouser. But don't feel you have to wear this pretty pink blazer as a suit. Layer this blazer over pretty floral dresses to add structure to a wedding guest-ready look, or make it work for every day by pairing it with jeans and a classic white t-shirt.
Never out of style, the military-inspired look is one that we often see particularly on outerwear and blazers. Identifiable by its edge to edge silhouette and military-style buttons, this blazer style will offer a strong directional finish to any outfit. In the spring and summer use this to conjure up a nautical feeling by pairing with on-trend wide leg trousers and a Breton striped top and in autumn and winter, team your military jacket over straight-legged jeans and a neat roll neck for a timeless look. The jersey back on this jacket will ensure you can get on with your day, crease-free.
This cropped style from French Connection has some pretty sharp tailoring and the waist finishing length makes it an ideal silhouette for hourglass figures as the hemline will highlight a narrowing waistline. Gorgeous with its matching tailored trousers, this cropped blazer will also work really well over shift dresses for extra arm coverage without hiding your figure.
Some of the best blazers for women might come with a hefty price tag but great tailoring and fabric will last for years. Some of the best blazers to invest in are classic styles that won't date so you can really get your cost per wear. These include checked blazers, which are a timeless weave. This neutral checked blazer from Sandro is a great statement look that can easily be dressed up or down. For weekends pair over faded jeans and a band t-shirt for a relaxed feel. Looking to dress it up? A silk blouse and tailored trousers give this jacket an instant smart update. When it comes to swapping for a lighter jacket in the spring, a checked blazer also makes for a stylish piece of outerwear instead of denim or leather jackets.
Available in three colors—grey, black and blue, this blazer comes with four-way stretch, making it a really comfortable option for every day. With a wide size range and petite, tall and classic fits, this is a blazer that will work for lots of body types. In three of the most versatile colors, this is a smart purchase for work or play and can be paired with straight-legged tailored trousers or your best skinny jeans for an easy way to feel dressed up and put together.
In a staggering 13 colors, jersey, 100% cotton blazer is the post-lockdown piece you didn't realize you needed—until now. If you're struggling to get back into tailoring and restrictive styles, this easy-to-care-for, with plenty of stretch blazer, might be just what you need. Wear it like you would a cardigan, but as it features a blazer style cut it offers a dressier feel. Whether you opt for classic hues or choose to inject a pop of color, this soft-feel style is ideal for throwing over tees and camisoles.
Best women’s blazers to suit your shape
As for which blazer shape to opt for, it's all about picking the style that makes you feel the most confident. But if you're looking for a little guidance consider the following:
- Waisted styles—those that nip in at the waist will highlight your waistline, giving shape to boyish frames and complimenting an hourglass shape.
- Open-front—open designs that skim the body and elongate the torso create a streamlined silhouette and are often considered the best plus-sized blazers.
- Cropped—these tend to be the best blazers for petites as they don't swamp a smaller frame.
- Oversize —lend laid-back cool to your outfit. Try balancing out voluminous proportions with a fitted bottom half such as skinny jeans or a pencil dress.
- Double-breasted— classic double-breasted styles create a strong shoulder line, so are great for balancing wider hips.
- Longline—blazers that hit mid-thigh work well on tall frames that can carry the extra length.
Whatever style you choose, make sure it's fitted, not tight, across shoulders; check you can move your arms comfortably without it pulling. Sleeves should hit the wrist bone, any longer and you risk looking like you're blazer is too big.
How to look after your blazer
To keep your blazer in tip-top condition, always hang on a wide shouldered clothes hanger to keep the shoulder line in shape.
Spot clean stains and remove dust and fluff with a lint roller. You can freshen up under arms and lining with a clothes spray, and keep creases away with a hand-held mini steamer.
At the end of each season, take your blazers to the dry cleaners for a thorough clean.
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