July 20, 2024

How Should A Blazer Fit? How to Find the Perfect Blazer

They say the clothes make the man. In that case, men's blazers make a man's outfit. The right blazer elevates your outfit, giving you confidence by allowing you to look and feel your best. 

How do you know if you have the right blazer, though? It all starts with the fit. With that in mind, we've put together a guide on how a blazer should fit. 

Table of Content

The Importance of a Well-Fitting Blazer

A well-fitted blazer can be a secret weapon. It telegraphs power and control, giving you that boost of confidence you need by making sure you look and feel your best. 

A well-fitting blazer can also be a stand-in for a well-fitted suit. In less formal settings, you can pair a men's blazer with a good pair of jeans for an automatic upscale casual outfit. You could even pair a well-fitted men's blazer with a nice sweater, which is ideal for a dinner date or making a good impression on a potential new client.

Taking the time to make sure your blazer fits the way it should guarantees you'll get the  right blazer for every occasion. It also tailors the blazer to your specific body type, making you feel like a million dollars every time you put it on. 

Key Areas to Check for the Perfect Blazer Fit

Every blazer fits differently because everybody is different. The rules for a perfect blazer fit are always shifting with changing fashion trends, as well. Generally speaking, fitted blazers are in. A modern blazer should appear somewhat relaxed and casual while still seeming structured and fitted. Fabrics with a little bit of stretch help to give this effect. Different parts of the blazer have different requirements to fit the way they should.

Shoulders

Generally speaking, a natural look to the shoulders is ideal. Considering that fitted, more tailored styles are in right now, look for a blazer with as little overhang as possible. Sometimes a little augmentation comes in handy, though. If you pick a blazer with shoulder pads, find one where the pads start at the top of your arms. You should also make sure they lie flat, so they look as natural as possible.

Chest and Torso

The chest of a blazer is everything from the shoulder to the pelvis. Generally speaking, the blazer's button and buttonhole should fall slightly above your navel. Although it is usually recommended to unbutton a blazer before sitting down, there should be a little bit of room between your body and the top button. 

When standing, you'll want to make sure your blazer doesn't crease across the chest. You also want to make sure your blazer isn't too fitted, though. Make sure to check the reach to make sure your blazer doesn't ride up too high when reaching above you or scrunch up in weird ways when reaching down low..

Sleeves

Traditionally, men's blazers would leave ½-inch of your cuffs exposed if you're wearing a long-sleeve dress shirt. Whatever shirt you're wearing, a good rule of thumb is a blazer's sleeves should land just above your wrist bone.

Length

Blazers are just a little bit shorter than a suit jacket. Men's blazers used to fall towards the top of your bum. More modern blazers tend to be a bit longer, though, landing around the middle of your seat.

Waist and Closure

Blazers are supposed to be slightly more fitted than a regular suit jacket. A blazer should be taken in slightly at the waist to give a fitted, tailored look. It's important the blazer not be too tailored, though. The waist shouldn't be so taken in that it causes creases or wrinkles.  

Choosing the Right Blazer Style for Your Body Type

A man standing straight, wearing a well-fitted blazer, illustrating the right blazer style for his body type.
Illustrating the Right Blazer Style for Your Body Type.

 

Different cuts of blazers emphasize different body types. Choosing the right blazer fit gives you unprecedented control over how people see you, regardless of your body type. 

If your headshot is your best asset, a blazer with peaked lapels draws attention upwards. A blazer with an inverted triangle, like a blazer with shoulder pads or without lapels, shape does the same thing to your lower half. Blazers with no lapels. If you want to draw attention away from your waist, a single-breasted blazer or a double-breasted blazer with a nipped-in waistline will do the trick.

Common Blazer Fitting Mistakes to Avoid

Shoulders are a common source of fitting mistakes for blazers. If the shoulders aren't wide enough, it will pinch slightly. This is known as shoulder bite. If the shoulders are too wide, it's known as shoulder sag. Both are common fit mistakes, but shoulder sag is the more severe of the two.

Keep an eye out for improperly fitted buttons, as well. A blazer is supposed to be slightly fitted around the waist, but if the button is too far in it can cause wrinkles and creases. If you've got concerns about the fit of your blazer, a tailor can make sure you get the perfect fit.

How to Get a Blazer Tailored for the Perfect Fit

Getting a blazer tailored can take a jacket from great to perfect. A good tailor will work with you and your specific body type to get that perfect fit in all the places it matters. They can move buttons in or take them out to get the perfect amount of tension. They can shorten or lengthen the sleeves so they hang just so.

Getting a blazer tailored for a perfect fit requires finding the right tailor. If you're searching for a tailor in your area, start by asking your network. They'll be able to recommend a good tailor if they've had a positive experience. 

If that doesn't work, check local business directories like Yelp or Google business profiles. Read reviews with an eye towards the services you'll be needing. Local tailor reviews will let you know someone excels at alterations or if they specialize in restorations, for example. Business listings for local tailors will help you find exactly what you need!

Blazer Care Tips to Maintain Fit and Quality

Caring for your blazer properly helps it maintain its fit and look its best for as long as possible. When cared for properly, a good men's blazer is a solid investment that can last for many years. 

To help your blazer maintain its fit for as long as possible, you should avoid dry cleaning as much as you can. Dry cleaning puts wear on a blazer, potentially damaging delicate fabrics and reducing the blazer's lifespan. Instead, steaming a blazer eliminates wrinkles and reduces odors. You can get a hand-held steamer and then hang it up to air dry.

In between cleanings, you can treat small stains with spot cleaning and washing spray. Ironing your blazer will help to eliminate wrinkles and reduce odors, also.

Storing and traveling with your blazer will make it last as long as possible, as well. Keeping a blazer on a hanger puts wear on a blazer. It's a good idea to have multiple blazers so you can cycle them. When you're traveling, a garment bag is the best way to keep wear and strain on your blazer to a minimum.

Find Your Perfect Blazer Today

Now that you know what you're looking for, you're ready to pick out the perfect blazer! Once you've found your perfect blazer, professional tailoring services will elevate your blazer even further still. Whether you're looking for a blazer for the red carpet or the boardroom, browse our collection of men's designer blazers today.

Written by Austin Coker