When I am in doubt I simply for a casual blazer outfit. I love styling blazers because they give that tailored, refined touch even to the most basic outfit. My old soul craves that classic chicness but the age I live in doesn’t allow me to go too business like look but prefers that Brooklyn mom touch!
You can be wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, add a blazer, and suddenly the whole outfit looks much more dept to it.
But I don’t like when a blazer outfit looks too perfect.
For me, the best casual blazer outfits have a little contrast. The blazer is polished, but everything else feels easy. Jeans, sneakers, a simple tee, maybe a slouchy bag.
That balance makes the outfit feel modern instead of corporate.
And honestly, this is probably why I wear blazers so much in New York. They are easy to throw on, especially during spring and fall, and they make everyday clothes look much better without trying too hard.
How to Make a Blazer Look Casual
In my mind, the easiest trick is to wear your blazer with something you would normally consider very casual.
Put all these together: A white T-shirt or a tank top, Your favorite jeans or even leggings or trainers and your favurite designer sneakers and Voila! you have perfectly chic casual blazer outfit.
I think this is where people sometimes make blazer outfits more complicated than they need to be. You don’t have to style a blazer with another polished piece. Actually, I usually prefer the opposite.
If the blazer is very structured, I like relaxed denim underneath. If I’m wearing loafers, maybe I will choose a basic tee instead of a blouse.
It is always about balancing the polished piece with something easier.
For a casual blazer, I also prefer a slightly relaxed fit. It doesn’t have to be extremely oversized. I just like having enough room underneath for a T-shirt, sweater, or thin knit.
5 Foolproof Casual Blazer Outfit Formulas
1. Blazer + Straight-Leg Jeans + White Tee
This is probably the easiest blazer outfit of all. And yes, it is very simple.
But I think that is exactly why it works.
A white T-shirt, straight-leg jeans, and a good blazer create the kind of outfit that you can wear almost anywhere. I would wear this for lunch, shopping in Soho, a casual meeting, or dinner with different shoes.
I usually prefer straight or relaxed jeans with blazers. They make the outfit feel more current and balance the structure of the jacket.
For shoes, loafers are always good. Ballet flats make it slightly softer. Sneakers immediately make it more casual.
If you want to make the outfit look more interesting, I wouldn’t add too much. Maybe a nice belt, a suede bag, or a pair of sunglasses are fine but don’t make some other classic choice other than blazer to achieve casual look.
Sometimes one detail is enough.
This is also the outfit formula I would think about when buying a new blazer.
Can I wear this blazer with my favorite jeans and a plain white tee?
If the answer is yes, I know I will probably wear it a lot.
2. Oversized Blazer + Leggings or Permuda Shorts
I know the blazer and bike shorts look has been around for a while, but I wanted to twist this idea with permuda shorts. I think It is more interesting.
It is the complete opposite of office dressing.
The blazer gives some structure. The leggings or shorts make the outfit relaxed.
I would wear an oversized blazer with a fitted tank or T-shirt underneath, black leggings, and sneakers.
Simple.
A baseball cap can also work here if you want the outfit to feel even more casual.
The important part for me is the blazer fit. I like oversized, but not so oversized that I disappear inside the jacket.
A slightly stronger shoulder with a relaxed body usually looks much better.
3. Blazer + Mom Jeans + Sweater
This is probably closer to how I personally like wearing blazers. It feels a little less classic than the white T-shirt formula.
I especially love this combination with a black, charcoal, or brown blazer. Brown with blue denim looks particularly good, especially with cream underneath.
You could wear sneakers during the day and change into a small heel or ballet flat later.
That is another reason I love a blazer. You don’t necessarily need to change the whole outfit to make it feel more dressed up.
Sometimes changing the shoes is enough.
4. Blazer + Midi Skirt + Simple T-Shirt
I like using a blazer to make feminine pieces feel a little less feminine.
A satin or simple midi skirt can easily become too dressy depending on what you wear with it.
Add a basic T-shirt and a slightly oversized blazer and the whole feeling changes. I would probably wear this with ballet flats, loafers, or even sneakers. Not heels though.
At least not during the day.
The flat shoe is what keeps the outfit relaxed.
This formula is also useful if you have skirts in your closet that you love but somehow never wear because they feel too “special.”
The blazer almost makes them easier.
5. Blazer + Long Dress for Fall Season
A blazer with dress is one of my favorite combinations for fall and early winter seasons.
Of course, the fabric matters.
I wouldn’t wear a linen blazer on a cool Autumn day. But cotton, wool or a lightweight seasonal blazer can be perfect when the weather is warm but you should add that extra layer.
And this is one of those outfits where I almost always push the blazer sleeves up a little. It sounds like a tiny styling detail, but somehow the blazer immediately feels less serious.
Best Shoes for Casual Blazer Outfits
Shoes completely change the mood of a blazer. If I want the outfit to feel really casual, I usually choose sneakers.
For something a little more polished, I love loafers or ballet flats or mary janes. Those three are probably the shoes I would wear most with blazers.
Sneakers are best with jeans, leggings, and shorts.
Loafers look great with straight-leg denim and make a very basic outfit feel more finished.
Ballet flats and Mary Janes are perfect if the blazer feels slightly masculine or oversized. I like that contrast.
In fall, ankle boots are another easy option.
A leather shoulder bag, sunglasses, simple jewelry, and maybe a belt are usually enough. although if your belt is too big or logo on it you can look very 2010s.
If your blazer already has a strong shape, you don’t need ten other things happening in the outfit.
How I Wear Blazers Through the Seasons
Spring and fall are obviously my favorite blazer seasons. In spring, I usually want something simple like jeans, a T-shirt, blazer, and flats. For warmer days, I switch the jeans for shorts or a skirt.
Fall is when I start adding thin knits, loafers, darker denim, and suede bags. This is also when brown, charcoal, camel, and checked blazers start looking especially good.
Winter is a little different. I don’t really think of the blazer as my coat. I use it as another layer underneath a longer coat. Then when you take the coat off indoors, you still have an actual outfit underneath.
Very useful in New York harsh winter weather.
What do you wear under a blazer for a casual look?
My first choices are a white T-shirt, tank top, or thin knit.
I usually avoid anything too elaborate underneath because I want the blazer to do most of the work. For that reason sometimes a tube top also a good idea.
What jeans look best with a blazer?
I prefer straight-leg or slightly relaxed jeans.
Wide-leg denim can also look great, especially with a shorter or more fitted blazer. It really depends on the proportions.
How do you style a black blazer casually?
The easiest outfit is a black blazer, white T-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers or loafers.
I would keep everything else relaxed.
A black blazer already has quite a strong, polished look, so denim helps soften it.
My Favorite Way to Style a Casual Blazer
If I had to choose only one outfit, I would still go with the simplest one.
Blazer. White tee. Jeans. Good shoes.
Maybe that sounds boring, but I don’t think every outfit needs a styling trick.
Sometimes the reason an outfit works is because the proportions are right and the pieces look good together.
A blazer already brings enough structure.
The rest can be easy.
And that is really how I like to dress most of the time anyway.
