How to Style a Black Blazer 5 Ways
The most cost-effective way to build your wardrobe is with quality pieces you can mix and match to create multiple outfits. The more often and unique ways you can style each piece, the more sustainable your wardrobe becomes. I’d rather have fewer pieces of better quality that are versatile than a zillion cheaper pieces that I know are contributing to our overflowing landfills and don’t provide a living wage for the workers who are making them. For our Over 50 Style Edit this month, Cindy and I share how we wear pieces in multiple ways, and I’m sharing five ways to wear a black blazer.
So what can you wear a black blazer with? I think a better question is, what can’t you wear it with? Oversized blazers are in style for 2022, but any black blazer works. Today I’m styling my black knit riding jacket with plenty of stretch.
Black Blazer And Bootcut Jeans
Jeans and a blazer are a go-to look for me during the fall because it’s seldom cold enough for a full-on coat. This casual outfit features black bootcut jeans, black booties, a knit blazer, and a pop of color in my cashmere sweater. I have several pairs of these barely-boot jeans and love the fit.
The sweater is from last year, but Norstrom has brought it back and marked it way down. The nubuck booties are several years old, but they keep bringing them back, probably because they’re so comfy. I added some silver earrings, a liquid silver bracelet that I’ve had forever, and a treasured necklace I don’t bring out enough.
Black Blazer And Formal Skirt
A black blazer is easy to travel with because it works for dressy and casual looks alike. Here, I’ve got it with my favorite chiffon long skirt, low kitten heels, and a velvet tank. I grabbed an old suede clutch and added some sparkle with my drop earrings, ancient belt, and old pin.
As I see this, I wonder why I didn’t just wear this to the black-tie gala we attended last weekend. I find a little bit of sparkle goes a long way in outfits, so just dotting it in three places helps the eye move around but keeps it all above the waist. I am on the hunt for someone selling more Babette clothes. She closed her doors back in 2016, and no one has duplicated her look yet. eBay has several pieces here that I’m keeping my eye on.
Black Blazer Over Column Of Color
I’ve popped it over a column of charcoal gray here, added a gray pearl lariat for subtle shine and my black and ivory snake print block heel booties. Black coordinates so nicely with all shades of gray, it’s a common pairing for me. This would look great over any color of color, including red, for the holidays.
Black Blazer With Animal Print and Pearls
Here, I’m wearing straight blue jeans with an animal print top and simple black booties. I added pearl studs and a few necklaces. Why wear one necklace when you can stack multiple together? The Freshwater Pearl company sent me several of these magnetic closure necklaces to try, so I decided to stack them together. With my arthritic fingers, these magnetic closures are amazing! I added a smooth leather belt to help keep my blouse tucked in.
Black Blazer With Cashmere Tee and Velvet Flats
I swapped into flat velvet shoes (sooo comfy), a cashmere tee, add a pin my mom gave me many years ago, and a gossamer thin scarf. Silver hoops and a liquid silver bracelet finish the look. I could have added a bracelet, but I wear so few patterns I felt the scarf added enough detail for a casual day of running errands. I’m always happy when velvet season arrives because these Birdies flats are so comfy and coordinate with many things.
MORE BLACK BLAZERS ON MY RADAR
Let’s hop over to see how Cindy wears her pieces in multiple ways at Cindy Hattersley Design
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Particularly come Autumn, blazers are my number one choice as an outerwear piece and feel having a black one is definitely a must as you have proven. Looking grrrrreat Jennifer! -Brenda-
Thank you Brenda!
Enjoyed your post on the black blazer and the accessories. I have a large pin I have always wanted to wear but wasnāt quite sure how to place it on the jacket. Thank you for the great styling tips!
You can’t go wrong with a black blazer any way you wear it!
My little black blazer is going to be used more often. Thanks for great ideas .
That little black jacket is right up there with the little black dress.
Jennifer,
I am a newbie to your newsletter, but I am enjoying it so far. What drew me in are your dressing room diaries – especially from J. Jill. I order a lot from them online because I am a good 45 minutes to their closest location. I really enjoy seeing the clothes on you as my eyes and ears to what is happening in the store. I also purchased two things from your beauty gift list – face roller and the eye shadow kit! Really enjoying your posts and like it when you shop stores that offer both regular and plus sizes – like Talbots and J. Jill.
Welcome, Terri. I will keep sharing from them because so many of us love them.
I love all these looks, but especially the ones with the colored sweaters. I love to travel with a gray sweater blazer. It goes with everything too, except maybe a very dressy look which I hardly ever have to worry about. I like to do the same with colored jeans. I like to see if I can get a weekās worth of outfitās from one pair. Less laundry that way. So, please do more of this kind of post. Love it!!
Jennifer, What size blazer are you wearing?
Iām sorry, I forgot to say, Iām wearing a misses 10 but could have worn an 8 if I wasnāt planning to layer sweaters under it.
I have just bought a navy blazer and am keen to try it different ways, so thank you. But more surprising for me was your bracelet in the first photo. I bought the exact same one in a market in Paris!
I love those liquid silver bracelets. Mine came from a small boutique in San Carlos.
Jennifer…what an excellent post! You wrote this especially for me–the one with no imagination! Thank you soooo much! Each outfit is so thoughtfully styled and put together yet so different. Thanks again, this was so helpful.
I’m so glad these ideas helped. I’ll do more of these posts in the future.
I love every single one of these looks, but the blazer and chiffon holiday look is absolutely gorgeous on you. The last look with the snakeskin boots is pretty darn fabulous as well. Great fresh options, not the same ole same ole blazer options. Great job as always!!
Great column! I love all the looks and helpful ideas. I have several black business jackets, which I haven’t been wearing in retirement but am digging them out. They are not all blazers and a couple are dressier but the premise is the same. I have nowhere to wear a chiffon skirt, but wow do you look lovely in it — and the blazer is amazingly complementary.
Love all the options you showed. You look great in everything. I really like the jeans with animal print blouse. It’s hard to wear a blazer where I live in the winter. You have to put a coat over it and I don’t like the bulk. So I mostly wear them in the spring.
Youād need a thin blazer or sweater for layering under big coats.
Jennifer! The blazer with the chiffon skirt, simply gorgeous! Love the versatility of a good black blazer!
xx
Thank you Annie! Youāre so sweet.
I absolutely šš, all your outfits today!! Now I need to pick up that black blazer to pair with my jeans and black pants. BTW, I have been wearing Birdies flats for 3 years and donāt know how I could managed without them.
I just bought this same Birdies style in the beige color. Theyāre so comfy!
So glad you and Cindy did this pairing. I have been letting my black jacket hang in my closet this fall. Thank you! I loved your looks.
I never comment, I just take in your wisdom and enjoy how you teach with words and pictures.
But today I thought I’d step out and thank you for all that you do to help me, along with others who watch and learn in secret. The black blazer really spoke to me today. As I wore mine when I was a children’s advocate and presented before the judge for many years. But it seems to just hang there now waiting to be worn. So I’m running errands today in my black blazer, warm cashmere sweater, pretty scarf and jeans! No more waiting for a “special” time to wear those great Talbots work horses. Thank you again for all you do for us.
That makes me so happy to hear, Shirley! Your blazer outfit sounds perfect.
You look lovely in the blazer and long chiffon skirt! So pretty š·
So many gorgeous style options starting with a basic, black blazer! I love how you focused your beautiful smile by adding the animal print blouse. It contrasts so nicely and your subtle use of accessories makes an approachable style that is also very classic. And who wouldnāt want to wear that stunning chiffon skirt!
I appreciate the entire premise of this blog today. My closet could shrink dramatically but still offer many more style options!
I want my wardrobe to shrink even more so Iām looking for pieces to way multiple ways more and more often
Love your suggestions for the black blazer, even the choice of shoes. It is so practical and handy when we travel as well!
Absolutely beautiful! Each styling is perfect. You look wonderful in each iteration. A black blazer is such a classic workhorse in any wardrobe.
I enjoy all the posts but the posts of the two outfits one expensive and the other more affordable are among my favorites. I am getting better at figuring out which is the most expensive.
Suzanne
Those splurge or save posts are fun!
Love all the looks, especially the column of color one. Canāt fo wrong with a black blazer. So classic.
Oh I love a black blazer and you’ve put together some amazing outfits Jennifer. We had a long, mild fall this year so I was able to wear blazers more often than the last few years. Now we are into winter (with snow) and need to wear winter coats and jackets.
I’ve had a black blazer from Talbots that I bought last ear. Now I have some creative ideas how to wear it, thanks.
There are endless ways to wear a black blazer
Fast transition! Iām sure youāll look amazing in your long coats too Yvonne.
I own two- one a sweater blazer and the other a traditional ( both Talbots). My navy blue sweater jacket I also pair with jeans. Its a bit older and I piped in vibrant pink so gives off a preppy vibe.
I never invested in the plaids or Herringbone blazers and often wish I had but now as we head into overcoat weather here in the Northeast Iām just thinking a sweater fits better under my coats. You look great in all of your looks today!
I like the comfort of the sweater blazers, for sure
You look terrific! Love the outfits; great suggestions!