When I first started fashion blogging, there wasn’t a single blazer in my closet. I think I’d mentally restricted them to business professional environments, and having worked in the casual tech industry for years, I just didn’t think I needed one.
Fast forward to today, and I now consider blazers a wardrobe staple and have at least 10 in a variety of colors, fits, and fabrics.
The magic of blazers is in their power to to add a finishing touch to any look and, in the cooler months, a hint of warmth, making them a reliably stylish layer.
Outfit Details: Banana Republic Blazer, Everlane Turtleneck, Rag & Bone Belt, MOTHER Jeans, Gucci Loafers, Rebecca Minkoff Bag
These days, you can find a blazer fit for any season, but fall blazers will always be my favorite. A reader asked what my latest purchase was in an Instagram Q&A recently, and I shared this herringbone fall blazer that stopped me in my tracks.
I plan to wear it with denim like I did below, but it will also look great over earthy fall dresses, solid skirts and blouses, and pants.
With the suiting trend going stronger than ever, I had to round up the best fall blazers for 2022. See below for my blazer picks for the season. The selection really is better than ever, from fitted to box cut, short to long, solid earthy tones to playful plaids.
I’ve also included a mini fall blazer shopping guide with notes on fit and fabric, in case you decide to treat yourself to something new!
Fall Blazers for 2022
1.
Wrap Blazer
One of my favorite ways to wear a blazer in fall is over a slip skirt or trousers with a belt over top the blazer, and this affordable wrap blazer makes it easy with a built-in tie to define the waist. It’s under $100 and comes in four colors.
Shop Now2.
Plaid Blazer
If I had to choose one brand to buy blazers from for the rest of time, it would be Veronica Beard. They do tailoring justice with thoughtful details, like the pre-cinched sleeves on this lightweight plaid blazer, that make their pieces a cut above the rest. And the fit is always perfection.
Shop NowThe first blazer I ever owned was from Generation Love, and I still love and highly recommend their styles. I love the idea of introducing rich fall texture through a simple layer like this leather blazer, whose cut and pre-cinched sleeves would look just as good with jeans and a camisole for a night out as it would over a favorite sweater dress.
Shop NowFall Blazer Shopping Guide: Fabrication, Fit, Finish
Choosing a Fit
In general, the more fitted and structured a blazer, the more professional it will feel.
Since most of us aren’t going into the office these days, I love relaxed (not oversized) fall blazers that offer just enough room for sweaters underneath. I know the loose, menswear look is “in” right now, but I love the classics, so my preference is for blazers that meets these criteria:
- Fitted (not tight) across the shoulders
- Sleeves hit anywhere from the wrist bone to mid thumb
- Hem skims the hipbone for traditional styles
- Hem hits at the smallest part of the waist for cropped styles
- Able to button without pulling (even if you plan to wear it open)
Solid vs. Pattern
I love fall blazers in earthy solids (camel, olive, navy, chocolate brown) and seasonal prints (herringbone, plaid) equal. If choosing between them, there’s really no right or wrong, but the best one will depend on what’s already in your fall wardrobe.
If you tend to wear more emotional, printed pieces as your base layers (floral skirts and dresses, brightly colored fall tops and pants), you may get more wear out of a solid.
So, if you wear neutrals and stripes, you may love the pop of a printed fall blazer.
Single Breasted vs. Double Breasted
Double-breasted blazers read dressier to me; they’re a statement piece in and of themselves. Single-breasted blazers feel more casual and streamlined, and I find they tend to give more shape at the waist.
Either style layers over a variety of outfits. I’ve worn both over dresses, denim, skirts, and pants. Give each a try from a few different brands to see how you feel!
Fabrication may be more important as your choice of suede, tweed, velvet, satin, wool, or wool blend will determine its function. Wool flannel like this, for example, could serve as the first layer underneath a heavier coat, while blazers with a higher percentage of wool like this or this can serve as outerwear.
Styling: Finishing Touches
When I’m wearing my blazers on (not draped over the shoulders), I like to cinch the sleeves up just a hair to show off the wrist.
This has a slimming effect (take a look at most styled photos of blazers on any retailer’s website and you’ll notice that they do this too).