Elevate Your Style: Blending Blazers And T-Shirts

Wearing a T-shirt with a blazer is a great way to achieve a casual, relaxed, and sporty look, especially during the summer. While this combination is easy to achieve, picking the right pieces to complement each other can be challenging. This look is perfect for various occasions, from casual summer weddings to creative job interviews. The key to pulling off this outfit is to choose the right fit, style, and colour for both the T-shirt and the blazer.

Blazer and T-shirt colour combinations

When pairing a blazer with a T-shirt, it's important to keep a few guidelines in mind to achieve a stylish, modern look. Here are some colour combination ideas to get you started:

Navy Blazer

Pair a navy blazer with a black or cream T-shirt for a sophisticated look. For a more casual vibe, opt for a light blue T-shirt, or go for a navy tee to match the tone of your jeans, letting the blazer stand out. A white T-shirt with a navy blazer is also a classic combination, especially for hot weather.

Grey Blazer

Go for a grey T-shirt with a dark grey blazer for a sleek, tonal outfit. Alternatively, a light grey T-shirt with a white blazer is a great choice, creating a limited palette of cool colours.

White Blazer

A white blazer paired with a striped T-shirt in red and white creates a nautical-inspired look. For a more subtle combination, choose a crisp white T-shirt.

Black Blazer

When wearing a black blazer, avoid an all-black outfit to steer clear of looking like a stagehand. Instead, pair it with a colourful or patterned T-shirt, such as a purple or canary yellow tee.

Brown Blazer

Brown blazers work well with cream or tan T-shirts, creating a sophisticated tonal outfit. For a bolder look, try pairing a brown blazer with a dark green T-shirt, adding an unexpected pop of colour.

Olive Green Blazer

An olive green blazer paired with a white T-shirt and off-white trousers is a statement look. The informal style of the olive green jacket grounds the outfit, making it perfect for summer.

Remember, when wearing a T-shirt with a blazer, it's best to stick to solid colours or thin stripes. Avoid bright colours, bold patterns, and graphic tees. Keep the fit of your T-shirt slim, and always tuck it into your trousers for a well-put-together look.

T-shirt types to wear with a blazer

When pairing a T-shirt with a blazer, it's important to keep the look simple and modern. Here are some tips for choosing the right T-shirt type to wear with a blazer:

• Stick to solid-coloured, neutral T-shirts. Navy, grey, or white T-shirts are versatile options that can be paired with various blazer colours. Avoid graphic T-shirts or bright, bold colours.
• Opt for a crew neck or scoop neck T-shirt. While V-necks were popular in the 80s, crew necks and scoop necks are more modern and stylish choices. However, a plain white V-neck T-shirt can work well under a printed blazer.
• Choose a slim-fit T-shirt that fits snugly around your arms and is tapered at the midsection. This will ensure a sleek and well-fitting silhouette.
• Consider adding a small pattern, such as a thin-striped T-shirt in a neutral colour, for a subtle touch of interest.
• Tuck your T-shirt into your pants for a tidier and more polished look. This helps to balance the formality of the blazer.
• For a casual look, go for an unstructured blazer with less stiffness and definition in the shoulders and waist.

Blazer types to wear with a T-shirt

Pairing a blazer with a t-shirt is a great way to create an eye-catching, stylish, and modern outfit. Here are some tips on the types of blazers to wear with a t-shirt:

• Unstructured blazer: For a casual look, opt for an unstructured blazer, which has less stiffness and definition in the shoulders and waist. The sleeves should hit slightly above your wrists, and the blazer should fall below your hips.
• Form-fitting blazer: A form-fitting, tailored blazer can be paired with a t-shirt for a sleek and well-fitting outfit. This combination is particularly flattering when paired with slim-fit or straight-leg trousers.
• Unusual colour blazer: If you're wearing a plain t-shirt, you can add a pop of colour with your blazer. Unusual colours such as yellow, red, or orange can be paired with a plain black t-shirt for a fun and trendy look.
• Monochrome blazer: For a more subtle look, opt for a monochrome outfit by pairing different shades and textures of the same colour. For example, a light grey t-shirt with a dark grey blazer.
• Striped blazer: Striped blazers pair well with plain t-shirts, particularly if the colours complement each other. For example, a navy blazer with a white t-shirt.
• Oversized blazer: An oversized blazer can be a stylish choice, especially when paired with a t-shirt and casual pants. Start with a slightly oversized blazer and work your way up to a fully oversized look.

When wearing a blazer with a t-shirt, it's important to keep the outfit casual and modern. Avoid matching your blazer and pants, as this can look too much like the style of the 1980s. Instead, opt for complementary colours and fits that create a relaxed and trendy silhouette.

When to wear a T-shirt with a blazer

Wearing a T-shirt with a blazer is a great way to achieve a casual, relaxed, and sporty look. It is perfect for the summertime when the weather is warm, as the short sleeves of a T-shirt can help you beat the heat.

• Casual Events: The T-shirt and blazer combination is ideal for casual events such as weekend brunches, early evening drinks, dinners, dates, family gatherings, and vacations.
• Creative or Casual Work Environments: If you work in a creative industry or a casual office environment, wearing a T-shirt with a blazer can be a great alternative to a traditional button-up shirt and tie. It shows that you are dressed appropriately while maintaining a relaxed and modern style.
• Weddings and Funerals: In today's casual climate, wearing a T-shirt with a blazer can be a stylish choice for weddings and funerals, depending on the nature of the event and the people involved. For example, a casual summer wedding with a relaxed dress code may call for a crisp T-shirt, blazer, and linen suit combination.
• Job Interviews: Similarly, for job interviews in creative or casual industries, wearing a T-shirt with a blazer can be preferable to a more formal shirt and tie. It shows that you are aware of current trends and can adapt your style to the company culture.

When wearing a T-shirt with a blazer, it is important to consider the type of blazer, T-shirt, and overall outfit. Go for a casual, unstructured blazer made from lightweight and soft materials. Choose a well-fitting T-shirt with a crew neck or scoop neck, and avoid graphic designs or bright colours. Pair your T-shirt and blazer with jeans, chinos, or even shorts for a truly casual look.

Remember, the key to pulling off this look is to keep it simple, modern, and well-fitted, ensuring you don't look like an '80s throwback!

How to style a blazer and T-shirt

There are many ways to style a blazer and a T-shirt. Here are some tips to help you nail this look:

Choosing the Right T-shirt

Go for a simple, solid-coloured T-shirt in a neutral shade such as navy, grey, or white. Avoid graphic T-shirts and bright, bold colours. You can also opt for a thin-striped T-shirt in a neutral colour, such as blue. If you want to add a collar, wear a button-up T-shirt or a polo shirt, ensuring that the colours coincide.

T-shirt Fit and Style

Choose a crew neck or scoop neck T-shirt for a modern look, avoiding V-necks which were popular in the 80s. Ensure your T-shirt is slim-fit and fits snugly around your arms and is tapered at the midsection. For a casual look, keep the T-shirt loose but not baggy. You can tuck in your T-shirt for a tidier, more formal look or leave it untucked for a more casual vibe.

Choosing the Right Blazer

Opt for a form-fitting, unstructured blazer for a casual look. The sleeves should fall slightly above your wrists, and the bottom of the blazer should be below your hips. The blazer should be in a contrasting colour to your T-shirt, and preferably a light colour if your T-shirt is dark and vice versa. Avoid bright colours and bold patterns, and stick to solid colours or thin stripes.

When to Wear a Blazer and T-shirt

This combination is ideal for summertime and works well for weekend brunch, early evening drinks, dinner, dates, vacations, and airport travel. It is a casual look, so avoid formal events.

What to Wear with a Blazer and T-shirt

You can pair a blazer and T-shirt with jeans, chinos, or shorts. Dark jeans or navy chinos work well, as do loose-fitting, light-wash jeans for a more laid-back look. For a polished appearance, pair a blazer with chinos. To keep the look casual, opt for sneakers or canvas shoes. For a sharper look, choose dress shoes.

Frequently asked questions