When thinking of how to wear a blazer with jeans, it requires a fair bit of style knowledge, as most blazers do not pair well with most pairs of jeans. But when executed properly, this combination strikes the perfect balance between casual and refined, making it suitable for many situations. It gives you a sophisticated, yet laid-back charm, which tends to work well for dates, social gatherings, some casual drinks, or a night out.
Knowing how to put this look together will set you apart as a confident, stylish gentleman who knows how to give off that sharp yet relaxed vibe. On the flipside, it’s very easy to mess this look up.
We want you to be on the right side of this fine line. Follow the steps below on how to wear a blazer with jeans, so you can reap the benefits of this perfect smart casual combination.
Picking the right blazer
The jacket provides the sharpness for this look. And there are many benefits to wearing this garment more often. Yet when pairing a blazer with jeans, you actually want to wear a more casual leaning blazer. A more structured classic blazer or something that looks more like a suit jacket (shoulder padding, fully lined, overly formal fabric), will be too dressy to pair with jeans, throwing off the balance of the look. See the pictures below of how not to sport this look.
The pictures above show how many men miss with this look. Notice how the balance just doesn’t look right. It looks like they grabbed a suit jacket and a random pair of jeans, and just threw the look together, hoping the combo works. This is not how you should put any outfit together, and the lack of consideration shows.
Instead, stick with more casual fabrics like textured wool/cotton/linen, soft-shouldered construction, and minimal or no lining. Patterned jackets can work very well with this look too.
The pictures of the gentlemen above show you how to execute this look. Their more casual blazers/sport coats and dressier, fitted jeans keep the look cohesive and intentional.
As with any other garment, fit is crucial. To maintain the polished appearance, you’ll want to stick with a more tailored jacket. We list some brands that typically fit very well off the rack. You should also take any off the rack blazer to a trusted tailor to dial in the fit.
A well-fitting blazer makes you look better and more polished. Additionally, all the lines of a blazer move from the middle out to your shoulders and hips. This visual effect makes your shoulders appear broader and your waist appear smaller, giving off a more masculine appearance (even if you’re not in great shape).
Pairing with the right jeans
While the blazer in this combo should lean more casual, dressier jeans keep this look consistent and sharp, without sacrificing the casual and relaxed vibe.
While jeans are inherently casual, you should pick a pair with dressier features for this combo. This means dark, fitted denim. Lighter washes can work too, but dark denim is usually the safer bet (and has many other benefits).
As for fit, this sharp-casual combination is no place for baggy or overly long jeans. While you should opt for comfortable jeans that don’t restrict your movement, overly baggy denim will ruin the silhouette and give off a sloppy appearance. Length is important too. Make sure the bottom of your jeans stops right at your shoes and doesn’t pool around your ankles.
Avoid distressed or ripped jeans, which lean too casual for this combination.
Coordinating colors and patterns
For your blazer color, you should generally stick with neutrals. Navy, brown/tan, and grey tend to match best with jeans. We also recommend these as the most essential sport coat colors. Olive green and multi-colored patterns work well too, if you’re looking for something a little bolder.
If you go with a navy or blue blazer, utilize subtle contrast to make this look work. As with any monochromatic look, when pairing similar colors together, you want to create some contrast so the outfit isn’t too washed out. You can create this contrast by utilizing blue tones which vary slightly from each other (dark denim and a bright navy blazer, for instance), wearing a patterned jacket, or sporting a blazer with more textured fabric (like a hopsack weave). Generally these types of details create a more casual blazer, which also fits the overall smart casual aesthetic of the look.
Otherwise, pairing a different neutral colored blazer should be pretty straightforward. Again, you should favor jackets with casual details with this combination. And make sure it fits well. See the examples above.
Avoid black blazers, as this color is too formal for the blazer and jeans combination. Any non-conventional colors for your jacket (white, red, yellow, etc…) should be treated with caution. Yes some men can pull this off, but it is an advanced move that can easily go wrong and draw attention to you for the wrong reasons.
Putting all the other key pieces in place
Now that we know how to wear a blazer with jeans, let’s discuss the other key pieces.
Shoes
Shoes can make or break this look, even if you’ve nailed the blazer and jeans. When wearing jeans, you want to stick with shoes that are generally “middle of the road” for dressiness. This means sleeker casual boots (chukkas, chelseas), loafers, and more casual leaning dress shoes (brogues, bluchers). Leather shoes generally work well, and suede can create a killer look. Avoid overly dressy oxfords (dress shoes with closed lacing and shiny leather).
Sneakers can work if you stick to plain white or neutral colors, but it’s a risk as it can dress down the look too much and create a mismatch with your blazer. Tread carefully if you want to sport sneakers with this combo.
Shirts
As for shirts, you have a ton of options. For dressier looks, a white or light blue button down will look great. Try to keep the fabric a little more casual (oxford cloth works well) rather than a smooth dress shirt you’d wear with a suit. Since the overall look is meant to be relaxed, you can even go with a colored button down in red, yellow, or green – just make sure the tone is more muted rather than bright (pale yellow will work better than bright yellow, for instance).
Patterned dress shirts can create a nice contrast and add a bit of color. Just make sure the colors coordinate well and the pattern doesn’t clash with your jacket (if you sport a patterned blazer).
Polo shirts can create a great look too (more on that here). For a very dressed down look, a plain t-shirt can work great with a very casual blazer and sneakers. Feel free to experiment with knit sweaters and turtlenecks, if these are items you normally wear.
Sweaters
You can also layer a sweater over a button-down under a blazer with some jeans. The color and layering combinations are endless and can offer a great look in the cooler months.
In general, if you are unsure about which colors to wear with your blazer and jeans combo, stick to neutrals. This holds even more importance if you layer multiple items, like sweaters and shirts, under your jacket. Neutrals will usually match each other. You don’t necessarily need the color in your shirt or other layers to make this look stand out – if in doubt keep it simple.
Complementing with the right accessories
You really want the jacket and jeans to shine, so you should keep the accessories more conservative. A casual or dress watch can match this look well, but avoid anything too sporty or tech-y. A stainless or leather band on a simple dress watch works great. A dive watch will pair well with this look too. To add a pop of color, consider swapping in a canvas watch band. This will relax the look a bit too, if that’s your preference for the occasion.
A simple pocket square can add a bit of color and flair but is completely optional. Try a plain cotton pocket square in a color that coordinates with the rest of your outfit. Anything overly patterned or too dressy, like silk, can throw off the balance of the outfit. If you’re not sure, you probably can leave it out.
With additional accessories, it completely depends on your personal style. I would keep it to 2-3 accessories max with for the blazer and jeans combo, as you don’t want to distract from the relaxed simplicity of the look. And you shouldn’t feel the need to add anything you wouldn’t normally wear.
You may be thinking of a tie or bowtie with this look. I personally would avoid these, but maybe a very casual knit tie could work. Let your personal style guide you, but again, lean very casual with whatever option you choose.
Conclusion
When thinking of how to wear a blazer with jeans, the key is to keep the formality of all the pieces close to each other. This balances the look and keeps the sharp casual vibe. Mastering this look gives you a great option for a variety of occasions, shows off your personal style, and gives you another way to put together some killer outfits.
