Blazers And T-Shirts: Business Casual Or Not?

Whether a blazer and t-shirt combination is considered business casual depends on several factors. While a blazer is a mark of business casual, the overall outfit's level of formality can vary depending on the specific workplace and its dress code. Generally, a blazer and t-shirt combination is considered more casual and may be more suitable for social settings or casual Fridays, especially when paired with jeans. However, it can still be appropriate for business casual depending on the specific context and how the outfit is styled.

Blazers and T-shirts are a great combination for the summer

When pairing a blazer with a T-shirt, it is best to keep the T-shirt simple. Opt for a solid-coloured shirt in a neutral shade such as navy, grey, or white, and avoid bright colours and bold patterns. You can also choose a T-shirt with thin stripes in a neutral colour, such as blue. Additionally, go for a crew neck or scoop neck T-shirt instead of a V-neck to stay modern and avoid looking like a throwback to the 1980s.

The fit of the T-shirt is also crucial. Choose a slim-fit shirt that fits snugly around your arms and is tapered at the midsection to achieve a sleek and well-fitting look. You can tuck the T-shirt into your pants to create a tidy appearance and complement the formality of the blazer.

When selecting a blazer, opt for a form-fitting, unstructured blazer with a casual look. Go for a blazer with less stiffness and definition in the shoulders and waist, and ensure the sleeves fall slightly above your wrists. A textured blazer, such as one made from flannel or tweed, will also add a casual vibe to your outfit.

To complete the look, choose the right pants and shoes. Jeans or chinos in neutral colours like blue, cream, or brown can complement your blazer. Avoid matching your blazer to your pants to keep your outfit modern and avoid an outdated look. For footwear, sneakers or loafers can be a great choice, depending on whether you want to lean more casual or business casual.

Overall, the blazer and T-shirt combination is a versatile and stylish option for summer. With the right colours, fits, and accessories, you can create a well-put-together outfit that is perfect for various casual occasions.

A blazer and T-shirt is a very casual style

When it comes to picking out a shirt to wear with your blazer, the simpler the better. Stick with a solid-coloured, neutral shirt, and avoid graphic T-shirts or bright, bold colours. You can also choose a striped T-shirt in a neutral colour, like blue.

To stay modern, opt for a crew neck or scoop neck T-shirt. On the other hand, a plain white V-neck T-shirt can look really cute under a printed blazer, especially with a statement necklace.

It’s important that your T-shirt fits you well so you don’t look too bulky. Pick a shirt that fits snugly around your arms and is tapered at the midsection. Your shirt can be any length since you’ll be tucking it into your pants.

Blazers that aren’t structured don’t have as much stiffness or definition in the shoulders or waist. The sleeves should hit slightly above your wrists, and the bottom of the blazer should fall below your hips.

A suit jacket usually has more structured shoulders than a blazer, so it doesn’t look great with a casual outfit.

You can add a pocket square to your blazer for a pop of colour. If your outfit is too neutral, pick a patterned or brightly coloured pocket square and fold it up. This will draw attention to your blazer without overwhelming your outfit.

You can wear jeans or chinos to match the style of your blazer. If it’s a super hot day, you can even throw on a pair of slim-fitting shorts. To go for a high-fashion look, choose wide, flowy linen pants instead.

Avoid matching your blazer to your pants to keep your outfit modern. While you can stick with the same colour scheme, you don’t want to entirely match your blazer to your pants.

You can wear sneakers to stick with a casual vibe. White sneakers pair well with almost any colour, while black ones keep your outfit more muted. You can wear sneakers with your outfit if you’re going to the beach or out to a party with your friends.

If you’re going for a more business casual look, slip on a pair of loafers to make your outfit into a faux suit. Although this won’t be enough to wear to a red-carpet event, you could take this look to the office on a casual Friday.

A blazer and T-shirt can be dressed up with the right trousers and shoes

Choosing the Right T-shirt

Select a T-shirt in a solid neutral colour such as navy, grey, or white. Avoid bright colours, bold patterns, or graphic designs. A crew neck style is generally preferred over a V-neck to stay modern and respectable. Ensure the T-shirt fits you well, with a slim-fit or tapered midsection, and is long enough to be tucked into your trousers neatly.

Selecting the Perfect Blazer

Opt for a form-fitting, unstructured blazer that falls below your hips with sleeves slightly above the wrists. Unstructured blazers are ideal as they are lightweight and softer, giving a more casual and relaxed vibe. If you wish to experiment, you can also pair a dressier blazer with a T-shirt, but ensure the fit is right. If the blazer is boxy, go for looser-fitting trousers and a T-shirt, and vice versa.

Trousers to Complete the Look

When choosing trousers, avoid matching them to your blazer to prevent an outdated appearance. Instead, complement the blazer with trousers in a neutral colour, such as blue, cream, or brown. Chinos or jeans are excellent options, with the former being more office-appropriate. If you wish to make a fashion statement, try wide, flowy linen pants.

Footwear to Finish the Ensemble

The type of footwear you choose will depend on the level of formality you wish to achieve. For a casual look, white or black sneakers are versatile choices that pair well with almost any colour palette. If you're leaning towards business casual, loafers are an excellent choice, with black or brown shades complementing darker or lighter outfits, respectively.

Accessories to Enhance the Outfit

Accessories can elevate your blazer and T-shirt ensemble. A pocket square in your blazer's pocket adds a pop of colour and draws attention in a stylish way. Additionally, a statement necklace can be a great addition, especially if you opt for a plain white V-neck T-shirt under a printed blazer.

Occasions for the Blazer and T-shirt Combination

The blazer and T-shirt combination is a summertime go-to and is perfect for various occasions. It is an excellent choice for casual summer weddings, creative job interviews, dates, office days, and family dinners.

In summary, with the right trousers and shoes, along with some thoughtful styling choices, you can definitely dress up a blazer and T-shirt.

A blazer and T-shirt can be dressed down with jeans and sneakers

To achieve this look, opt for a slim-fit or straight-leg jean in a dark wash, such as indigo or black. Avoid distressed or ripped jeans, as these can be too casual and undermine the formality of the blazer. For the T-shirt, choose a solid colour such as navy, grey, or white, and stick to a crew neck or scoop neck style. Avoid V-necks, as these can look outdated. Ensure the T-shirt fits well and is tucked into the jeans to maintain a neat appearance.

When selecting a blazer, go for an unstructured, form-fitting style in a complementary colour to the T-shirt. A textured fabric will add a casual feel to the outfit, and patch pockets will further enhance the relaxed vibe. Avoid blazers with gold buttons, as these can appear outdated.

Finally, complete the look with a pair of sneakers. White sneakers are versatile and pair well with almost any colour palette, while black sneakers offer a more muted option. For a streetwear twist, roll up the jeans above the ankles and pair with tall socks.

This outfit combines comfort and style, offering a modern and relaxed take on the blazer and T-shirt combination.

A blazer and T-shirt can be a business casual look

Choose the Right T-shirt:

• Opt for a solid-coloured, neutral T-shirt. Navy, grey, or white are great choices. Avoid graphic T-shirts and bright, bold colours.
• If you want to add a pattern, go for a thin-striped T-shirt in a neutral colour, such as blue.
• Select a crew neck or scoop neck T-shirt. V-necks were popular in the 80s but don't have the same modern appeal. However, a plain white V-neck T-shirt can work well under a printed blazer.
• Ensure your T-shirt has a slim fit. It should fit snugly around your arms and be tapered at the midsection.

Style the Blazer:

• Go for a form-fitting, unstructured blazer. Blazers with less structure have less stiffness in the shoulders and waist, giving a more casual look.
• The sleeves should be slightly above your wrists, and the blazer's bottom should fall below your hips.
• Avoid suit jackets, which have more structured shoulders and won't pair well with the casual T-shirt.
• Add a pocket square to your blazer for a pop of colour. A yellow pocket square pairs well with grey or navy, while red and orange complement brown or tan blazers.

Pants and Shoes:

• Wear jeans or chinos to match the style of your blazer. Slim-fitting jeans or straight-leg chinos are good choices.
• Avoid matching your blazer and pants to keep the outfit modern. Instead, complement your blazer with neutral-coloured pants. For example, pair a brown blazer with tan chinos or a grey plaid blazer with grey trousers.
• For shoes, you can go with sneakers or loafers. White sneakers go with almost any colour, while black ones create a more muted look. Loafers can dress up the outfit for a business casual look.

Accessories:

• A belt is optional. If you wear a black blazer, pair it with a black belt. For other colours, opt for a brown belt.
• Avoid flashy colours and patterns in your accessories.

Occasions:

• A blazer and T-shirt combination is perfect for summertime and works well in casual settings.
• It's a great choice for weekend brunch, early evening drinks, casual dates, vacations, and airport travel.

Frequently asked questions