Check Blazers
THE LOOK
Style Notes
KEY PIECES
A check blazer is a super versatile piece for any wardrobe – it works in most work wardrobes, is a great staple for smart casual weekend looks and co-ordinates with jeans just as easily as it does with smart trousers.
What makes check so versatile?
It has at least 2-3 colours in the palette, making it easier to co-ordinate. Ideally, the colours in the check should be colours you already have in your wardrobe to mix and match with.
Another very functional feature of a check blazer is that it looks less corporate than many block-coloured blazers do (provided you stay away from suit finishes). Check brings a more informal vibe to the blazer making it multi-functional for both work and weekend wardrobes.
STYLING IDEAS
Fit – to make sure your blazer doesn’t feel like something belonging to a suit, avoid short tight cuts (this is a dated style anyway, so even if you are buying purely for work, it is best to avoid them).
The lengths you see below in the images are all good options for a contemporary blazer.
Colour – pick the colour palette for the check that is consistent with your wardrobe’s palette. If you have a lot of navy in your wardrobe, a black-based check is not the best option. However, if you are planning on wearing jeans with your blazer, this is not going to be an issue as denim doesn’t clash with black/navy.
If you go for bright checks, make sure you know what colours to put with them besides basic cream/white or black/navy.
For example, the yellow blazer will take grey, black, indigo and blue denim, most shades of blue in general and then neutral colours like beige, stone, cream, soft olive, light grey. It can also take bright colours like orange or red but you have to ask yourself would you be comfortable wearing so much colour.
The colour of the blazer will determine the colour of the tops so make sure you go for a colour that doesn’t limit you in options.
DECIDING IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Think of a blazer as an alternative to a coat in warmer months and as an additional layering piece in the colder ones. Every wardrobe can benefit from one!
If your work place or lifestyle is very casual, simply opt for less structured styles to give the blazer a more relaxed look. Don’t dismiss the blazer just because you think it belongs in the office!
Shopping
Product Links
Look 1
1
https://www.parfois.com/en/mt/jewellery/earrings-170654.html?cgid=54&dwvar_170654_color=VR_&dwvar_170654_size=U#cgid=54&start=6&prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=green
https://www.flattered.com/eu/all-shoes/boots/kate-nappa-black
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/jackets-blazers/structured-blazer-button_67044404.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;16,304
https://www.selected.com/ie/en/sl/femme/clothes/trousers/mid-waist—trousers-16070934.html?cgid=sl-femme-clothing-bottoms-pants&dwvar_colorPattern=16070934_Black_720877
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/shirts-blouses/flowy-printed-blouse_67074407.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;14
https://www.farfetch.com/tr/shopping/women/liu-jo-faux-leather-tote-bag-item-14924639.aspx?storeid=9306
https://www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/navy-dark-checked-mensy-blazer-9525047
Look 2
2
https://www.parfois.com/en/mt/jewellery/earrings-170654.html?cgid=54&dwvar_170654_color=VR_&dwvar_170654_size=U#cgid=54&start=6&prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=green
https://www.flattered.com/eu/all-shoes/boots/kate-nappa-black
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/jackets-blazers/structured-blazer-button_67044404.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;16,304
https://www.selected.com/ie/en/sl/femme/clothes/trousers/mid-waist—trousers-16070934.html?cgid=sl-femme-clothing-bottoms-pants&dwvar_colorPattern=16070934_Black_720877
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/shirts-blouses/flowy-printed-blouse_67074407.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;14
https://www.farfetch.com/tr/shopping/women/liu-jo-faux-leather-tote-bag-item-14924639.aspx?storeid=9306
https://www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/navy-dark-checked-mensy-blazer-9525047
Look 3
3
https://www.very.co.uk/kurt-geiger-london-della-sling-heeled-shoes-dark-green/1600420651.prd?_requestid=174819&Ntt=kurt%20geiger%20green%20shoes
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/jackets-blazers/structured-blazer-button_67044404.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;16,304
https://www.selected.com/ie/en/sl/femme/clothes/trousers/mid-waist—trousers-16070934.html?cgid=sl-femme-clothing-bottoms-pants&dwvar_colorPattern=16070934_Black_720877
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/shirts-shirts/satin-pocket-shirt_67054408.html?c=85&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;14
https://www.farfetch.com/tr/shopping/women/tory-burch-mcgraw-wallet-crossbody-bag-item-14843193.aspx?storeid=9462
https://www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/navy-dark-checked-mensy-blazer-9525047
Look 4
4
https://www.very.co.uk/kurt-geiger-london-della-sling-heeled-shoes-dark-green/1600420651.prd?_requestid=174819&Ntt=kurt%20geiger%20green%20shoes
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/jackets-blazers/structured-blazer-button_67044404.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;16,304
https://www.selected.com/ie/en/sl/femme/clothes/trousers/mid-waist—trousers-16070934.html?cgid=sl-femme-clothing-bottoms-pants&dwvar_colorPattern=16070934_Black_720877
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/shirts-shirts/satin-pocket-shirt_67054408.html?c=85&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;14
https://www.farfetch.com/tr/shopping/women/tory-burch-mcgraw-wallet-crossbody-bag-item-14843193.aspx?storeid=9462
https://www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/navy-dark-checked-mensy-blazer-9525047
Look 5
5
https://www.parfois.com/en/mt/jewellery/earrings-170654.html?cgid=54&dwvar_170654_color=VR_&dwvar_170654_size=U#cgid=54&start=6&prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=green
https://www.flattered.com/eu/all-shoes/boots/kate-nappa-black
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/jackets-blazers/structured-blazer-button_67044404.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;16,304
https://www.selected.com/ie/en/sl/femme/clothes/trousers/mid-waist—trousers-16070934.html?cgid=sl-femme-clothing-bottoms-pants&dwvar_colorPattern=16070934_Black_720877
https://www.frenchconnection.com/product/sfnaz/larsa-logo-trainers.htm?search_keywords=trainers
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/shirts-blouses/flowy-printed-blouse_67074407.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;14
https://www.farfetch.com/tr/shopping/women/liu-jo-faux-leather-tote-bag-item-14924639.aspx?storeid=9306
https://www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/navy-dark-checked-mensy-blazer-9525047
Look 6
5
https://www.parfois.com/en/mt/jewellery/earrings-170654.html?cgid=54&dwvar_170654_color=VR_&dwvar_170654_size=U#cgid=54&start=6&prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=green
https://www.flattered.com/eu/all-shoes/boots/kate-nappa-black
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/jackets-blazers/structured-blazer-button_67044404.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;16,304
https://www.selected.com/ie/en/sl/femme/clothes/trousers/mid-waist—trousers-16070934.html?cgid=sl-femme-clothing-bottoms-pants&dwvar_colorPattern=16070934_Black_720877
https://www.frenchconnection.com/product/sfnaz/larsa-logo-trainers.htm?search_keywords=trainers
https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/shirts-blouses/flowy-printed-blouse_67074407.html?c=43&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;14
https://www.farfetch.com/tr/shopping/women/liu-jo-faux-leather-tote-bag-item-14924639.aspx?storeid=9306
https://www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/navy-dark-checked-mensy-blazer-9525047
Look 7
7
https://www.parfois.com/en/mt/jewellery/earrings-158685.html?dwvar_158685_color=DM1&cgid=54&dwvar_158685_size=U#cgid=54&start=5&prefn1=refinementColor&prefv1=green
https://www.stories.com/en_eur/clothing/blazers/product.tailored-gingham-blazer-black.0832449001.html
https://www.zara.com/ie/en/loafers-with-pearl-beads-and-micro-studs-p12522510.html?v1=34149797&v2=1445633
more styling ideas
Additional Options
Dress Up
If you are planning to wear your blazer/s for work, team it up with a silky top with a sleeve (short, 3/4 or full length – this way you’ll be able to wear the top/blouse on its own in other looks as well as when you take the blazer off in the office) + smart trousers/skirt.
Heels (block or stiletto) will even further dress up the look.
You can also team it up with pleated or satin skirts.
Dress Down
To make the blazer suitable for casual wear, pair it with jeans and a t-shirt.
Silky top + jeans will strike a happy balance between dressed down but still polished.
The overall look can then be finished with loafers, trainers or ankle boots (depending on the time of the year).
For a very trendy casual look team a blazer with a fine hoodie, jeans/leggins and trainers.
Colours
Opt for blazers that have at least 3 colours in them that you can duplicate in tops. Blue, camel, blush, cream, black and navy are very versatile options that will work around most colours so build up a selection of basic tops/blouses in those colours.
Massimo Dutti sell really nice staple blouses (like the ones pictured) in silky fabrics that look chic and expensive but are not significantly more expensive than blouses from other high street stores.
Grey jeans are a great alternative to classic blue/indigo and can work well with most checks. So it is a really practical colour to consider adding to the wardrobe.
As you can see below most of the blazers mix with most of the tops and jeans so you can build an entire capsule with dozens of combinations.
Additional Product Links
Blue blouse:
Blush blouse:
Camel blouse:
T-shirt with print:
Grey jeans:
Blue jeans:
Cream jeans:
