There are two blazer silhouettes. The tailored fit and the roomier oversized fit. Both come in a range of lengths, colours, or patterns. The tailored silhouette is the modern classic standard with longevity, whereas anything bigger tends to support a trend. That said, a trend can last for years and have more staying power than you expect. Especially these days when trends are less important and almost anything goes.
Tailored
The tailored fit runs from a very fitted cut to what I call fluidly tailored. The latter fits close to the body but with a bit of room so that you can move with ease, feel less constricted, and be more comfortable. Tailored blazers tend to look visually dressy, professional, and sharp. They streamline the figure and can make you feel pulled together, polished, and authoritative.
Oversized
The oversized fit runs from generously fluid to majorly big (like the blazer looks many sizes too big for you). This fit can be tailored on the shoulders but big and boxy everywhere else. Or it can be big on the shoulders, as well as big and boxy everywhere else. Sometimes the big shoulder fit is accompanied with shoulder pads. This trend panders to the ‘80s and early ‘90s revival that we see coming through strongly in fashion these days.
Oversized blazers are comfortable, and have a more playful, theatrical, and casual element to them. They are very current, and the extra-oversized versions are fashion forward. If they are fitted on the shoulders, drape well, and only moderately big, they can look polished and sharp too.
There is room for both silhouettes in your style if you enjoy wearing blazers. Or stick with the one if that’s your preference. Personally, I prefer my blazers tailored and fluidly tailored, and not too long. When it comes to blazers I bat for Team Modern Classic. I wore oversized blazers with shoulder pads back in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, but am not revisiting that look. To my eye, my narrow shoulder line prefers a tailored touch. It’s fun seeing some of my clients, friends and people on the street rock BIG blazers though. It’s new for Generation Z, who seem to be enjoying the vibe. Why not!
Over to you. Which blazer silhouette do you prefer?
