One black blazer to rule them all...... - YouLookFab Forum

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One black blazer to rule them all......

Sal

Veteran

Hi All

On my long term wish list is a beautiful black blazer. I am trying to wean myself off black but it's like only one coffee a day rather than three...

I do have a black blazer which I like, I bought it second hand in 2020. It's good to wear with jeans but it's not a stellar blazer.

Is there one black blazer style to rule them all? Or is this unrealistic like the one perfect pair of boots? I want something classic to last, that works in the evening over dresses or with black pants. Do you think a blazer that worked for this need would also work with jeans and sneakers for my job?

If you were looking for (or if you own) a blazer that is perfect for you, what features should (or does) it have?

There is an excellent tailor near me that I may use to create one. Or I am open to suggestions on specific blazers too.

It's not an urgent need - this is likely to be a 2023 purchase.

Thanks in advance.

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I don’t think there is only one. But there could be one day (double breasted gold buttons, I have an excellent one) and one night (tux, and was coveting and shopping-looking just as you posted!)

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I do not think there is only one. Apart from color, and black is the easiest to find, there are so many factors - length, stance, buttons, fit, texture, weight! Right now if I were shopping for one I would probably look for something a bit oversized with a strong shoulder line, but I am eminently not looking for one!

LJP

Veteran

As Jaime and Lisa said - I don’t think there’s just one blazer . However , my Smythe black linen blend w gold buttons and a removable pocket square is pretty darn close . I don’t wear it often anymore , but when I need a *real * blazer , out it comes . My only regret is isn’t really a winter fabric . It’s pretty similar to the one you show above .

Irina

Veteran

For me, it’s a lightweight wool fabric, straight cut, black buttons.

I find that wool fabric hangs better. I prefer single breasted blazers.

I do have one, used to wear it more often but it’s a bit too formal for my office even with jeans.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

For me it’s a super lightweight “duster” coat— like a very long blazer. I wear them allll the time with everything.

Bijou

Veteran

I have a number of black blazers, but if I had to choose only one, it would be this tweed single breasted blazer that seems to work with everything. It hangs beautifully and works well with dresses and pants. I got it from Max Mara and the quality is evident, it is gorgeous to wear.

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Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Agree with @UmmLila that two blazers would probably be a more realistic aim - one that's more cropped for dresses, & the other longer for trousers.

Anonymous

I have 2 black blazers- a short lace one and a velvet one (that doesn't fit RN), so effectively only one. It's good with skirts, dresses, and wider leg pants- but definitely not warm!

For skinnies and cold weather, I also have 2 black sweaters, 1 hip length and one maxi. The maxi one I use more as a coat in fall and early winter. A second, longer blazer would definitely be more professional than a sweater!

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Helena

Veteran

I like what Ummlila said too, although a classicly cut black blazer in a classic fabrication would probably work for most occasions. The one you have pictured is fab!

gryffin

Veteran

okay black blazer princess chiming in. This does not include my HL tuxedo blazers and I have a few more. Most versatile is either fine wool or scuba lined, so does not wrinkle. Blazer is fitted in the body but not tight but gives waist definition. Black hardware preferred so there's no metal incompatibility. Otherwise your preferred metal. Regular length, narrower lapels. I would select plain as you can take it black tie to jeans. Make sure fabric is excellent so it doesn't wrinkle. My most worn is the VB scuba. Don't purchase mixed fabric if it's only one, no precious fabrics, nothing trendy - but get something that really fits, gives definition, I prefer a cutaway styling as it's most flattering to my frame. Extra points if it looks good both closed and open.

VELVET Blazer | Nordstrom

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Veronica Beard Scuba Jacket

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Theory Clairene Coat

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Theory Clairene Shawl Coat

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Veronica Beard Kennedy Cutaway Blazer

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The Oversized Blazer

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Theory Tailored Velvet Blazer

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SMYTHE Corded Lace Blazer

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James Perse Brushed Fleece Long Jacket

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Sisi

Veteran

In my opinion a velvet blazer is the most versatile of all.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm nodding along with Gryffin.

Must be wrinkle free like most VB, Boden and Theory blazers are! Hobbs blazers are beautiful too.

Sal, if you wear black blazers more with pants/jeans, get a longer one. If the idea is to match it with skirts and dresses, a shorter length is handy.

Keep the fit fluidly tailored. Most versatile. Whether you go SB or DB is about which you find more flattering. Personally, I slightly prefer single breasted blazers.

NOTE: I do not have a black blazer, or anything solid black for that matter

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't own a black blazer, but my well-worn Reiss Tux blazer in navy might be similar to what you are looking for. I do in fact wear it with jeans, trousers, and even (rarely) skirts/ dresses. Because of the waist definition it can work.

It has strong shoulders and slim arms that are easy to scrunch. It is single breasted.

Despite not favouring black, I own three more black jackets!! Which does suggest they can be useful. However, mine fill very different functions.

1. An inexpensive one from an NAS years ago, also a "tux" style with a stand collar and a jacquard texture and some knit in the sleeves. It's shorter so works better with dresses. Because black is not important in my closet but sometimes useful, this fits the bill really well.

2. A faux double breasted boyfriend-esque ruched sleeved checked number bought in 2019 with Angie at NAS. This is a fun casual style.

3. A vintage Biba kimono for wearing on summer evenings over a sheath dress (when I wore such things, LOL) and / or jeans.

Belmonte Dark Navy Tuxedo Jacket

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Trouvé Trouvé Mixed Texture Jacket

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Windowpane Check Ruched Sleeve Blazer

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Lesley

Veteran

I am always tickled by the style quests for one X to rule them all! I often try this approach too, as I am kind of a minimalist (in number of things I own, not in aesthetic!).

I think you can see here that for those who are black blazer people, you might need a few, and then for those non-black blazer people, you don't even need one!

I am a non-black blazer person, but I happen to have one in black velvet, because my grandfather was a tailor and made it for my grandmother! For me it's perfection, because the only time I could fathom wearing a black blazer is winter, and velvet is just right for winter occasions. However, if I wanted to answer this question from a philosophical standpoint, I think all the things Irina and Bijou laid out are what I would look for.

kkards

Veteran

if i was looking for 1 black blazer to be most things (because i know that it can be all things), i'd go for something like this find. lightweight wool so that's wearable most seasons, and will hang and drape nicely. black buttons so that they don't over power anything that i would wear the blazer with. and single breasted because IMO its less fussy and just works better with a variety of styles.

Banana Republic

Black Lightweight Wool Two-Button Blazer

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unfrumped

Veteran

In the past I have not been able to get the “ one” , though perhaps I did not hunt aggressively enough especially online from higher- end makers. Now I’m not using black jackets as much so not on the lookout.
I’ve wondered if body type and also one’s typical “ style “ is very important in whether a single jacket is super- versatile. Or even tolerance for things that might, to other people, just look off somehow. I always feel very sensitive to proportions, where an inch or 2 difference in length matters , or how I’m wearing tops, or whether the “ good” jacket just doesn’t look as good casualized , because my “ casual “ is just a bit too scruffy.
I used to admire some of the celebrity eveningwear outfits where a black blazer was casually tossed over a fancy gown. I dare say the combination was carefully chosen, instead of what would usually be my situation, where it’s very hard for me to find the right “ parts” or be sure today’s all- purpose blazer goes with next year’s dress or vice versa. Around the time this look was especially common, ladies were still wearing high heels for special events, and I think that went a long way toward making a good juxtaposition for dressy looks.
This is an area where some kind of silhouette focus discipline can work.
If one tends to wear wide casual jeans and wide flowy dress pants and midi skirts, a certain jacket style may crossover. If wear straight or tapered jeans and dressy slim tuxedo pants , then a tuxedo- style crosses over.

Sal

Veteran

Some really interesting thoughts here.

Yes Unfrumped - those celebrity looks are probably more styled than I think.

Lesley and Angie-I agree that a black blazer is not essential for everyone. For some people navy or camel, for others a cardigan or bomber etc may be the one.

Everyone - thanks! I probably agree that there is a difference between an evening and day blazer. And proportions change both with what you wear - dresses or pants. Whilst now oversized seems to be the fashion - soon it will probably be fitted or cropped.

I agree fine wool or scuba - and black buttons in a tailored style - fitted but not form fitting. I like velvet but it would be restrictive in our climate.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I own 3. One is a thin tuxedo type blazer for evening I have had since 1995 or 1997. Oddly enough I don’t wear that one much although it got heaps of use back after getting it. The daytime soft black blazer has 188 wears and is my second one the exact same. After looking for 2 years I found a thrifted $15 one this winter in soft black wool, 15 wears already, to take the pressure off the other. I seriously dislike stiff blazer fabrics on me which is why I think it was so hard to replace the soft one. I think you do all right with the stiffer fabrics but they may be too stiff for evening? So maybe I agree that there are two to rule them all, not one.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I think you can do it. You have other blazers in your closet and plenty of variety. Find a few you like and try them on with EVERYTHING you might conceivably wear one with, with special emphasis on the ways you think you'd wear it most. It'll be a search, but I have faith.

Sally

Veteran

I like the idea of one blazer as I aspire to a minimalist wardrobe. I brought one brand new 6 years ago from Portmans. It is polyester and quite fitted. I do wear it when I want to dress up but being polyester and fitted, I find I can't wear much under it and it does get hot easily.
Last week I picked up a looser one at a thrift shop for $12. It is Anne Klein and 50% wool. I have worn it 4 out of 5 days this week to work as it has been so comfortable and I have been able to wear it with skirts and pants. I"m not sure if my style has changed which would explain me getting more use of a black blazer or the level of comfort and ease makes it a better choice. For me, I would go for an oversized blazer just for comfort and the chill factor if you wanted to wear it with jeans and throw on over something.

April

Veteran

For me it depends on climate. My most classic jackets are for cold months: fully lined, soft wool fabric. But I also have a completely unlined stretchy black one from MM LaFleur that I wear in the warmer months.

CarolS

Veteran

I'm a proponent of the idea of one "X" to rule them all! I haven't read every comment thoroughly yet, but I see some really good suggestions here to reach maximum versatility.

Back when I was slim enough to enjoy wearing shorter, more fitted blazers, I had a little black blazer that came pretty darn close for my purposes. It was a very lightweight wool with black buttons. I wore it to dress up jeans but also had no problem pairing it with wide black pants and pointy toed shoes for a dressier occasion.

I think I might be in the market for something similar again -- although this time probably longer and possibly in a knit. Will follow with interest to see where you land!

Sal

Veteran

Lots of good advice here- and I will be eyeing out good quality brands in sales. As Jenn said - I do have other blazers so a black one doesn’t have to be all things to me. It is the dressier day occasions and night occasions where the gap lies. I would want it to be lined and tailored and accept it won’t work in the hottest months. Our climate is more temperate than most so blazers work for almost 90% of days anyway, it’s occasionally too hot and occasionally too cold…..

Thanks- I will hope to have some contenders.

Synne

Veteran

This is tricky. Jackets/blazers are one of the main items that change lengths and silhouettes every season it seems. Now it's all about butt coverage and oversize look, next it will probably be back to shorter lengths and waist emphasis. What makes for a blazer to be classic and timeless? Interesting quest!

Style Fan

Veteran

I am on a similar quest, but my blazer would not be black. I have tried the VB Scuba and Smythe Duchess. Both are beautiful. The Princess of Wales (Catherine) wears the Smythe one.

SMYTHE Duchess Blazer

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I just want to say thanks for this thread. I never have made peace with blazers, so following along has been helpful.