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A Great Black Blazer Is An Investment You'll Never Regret
When you’re shopping for wardrobe classics, you want to get it right. Here, I whittle down the winners on the shelves right now.
Our wardrobes are shrinking, and it’s hardly surprising. In the midst of economic uncertainty, fashion always returns to the classics: if not on the runways, then certainly in our realities. We’re re-wearing party dresses, reviving past-season favourites, and jumping off the high street's hamster wheel of newness in favour of vintage treasures.
So, if you are going to spend this season, start with the classics: those wear-forever things you’ll actually call on day in, day out, no matter what the trend cycle is currently dictating. One wardrobe mainstay that has proven immune to irrelevance is the classic black blazer. Bar perhaps a great camel coat, nothing is a smarter investment.
The appeal here lies in the instant upgrade a blazer brings to any outfit. A good one will pull you together on tee-and-jeans days (almost every member of team ELLE UK keeps an emergency blazer on hand for last-minute meetings) and miraculously make a uniform of basics feel smarter and sharper.
Really, there are few sartorial shortcomings that a blazer cannot remedy. Hair won’t behave? Stick a blazer on, and that bird’s nest becomes deliberate, even chic: you’re not a frazzled English woman, but a Parisian model-off-duty. Emotionally attached to your wide-leg jeans? A blazer works there too – even with scuffed trainers and a baseball cap. And of course, a classic black jacket is the perfect day-into-night event ally, ideal for slinging over a wedding-guest dress as the temperatures dip.
'The black blazer is a wardrobe staple, now more than ever,' confirms Liane Wiggins, head of womenswear at Matches. Her top recommendation is the Blazé Milano Resolute style, 'for a really classic, beautifully cut silhouette which will work hard for seasons to come.' For a cool, fashion take, she points to Wardrobe NYC, Toteme and Raey, while the most major investments should be made at The Row or Jil Sander.
But whatever your budget, any purchase in this category should come with as much consideration as your favourite jeans: you want the fit, fabric and finesse to be just right.
First, the fabric: whether a warm wool or textured linen, you want your jacket to feel substantial and hang properly, rather than flapping in the breeze or creasing as soon as you sit down. Leaving things unlined is a high-street cost-cutting trick which, when it comes to jackets, often results in a disappointing weight. (If you are going for something unlined, check the hems have been neatly binded, rather than being left raw-edged.)
Next, the fit. 'Find the silhouette and style that will be the most flattering for your body shape,' advises Wiggins. 'Think about the sleeve length, and the proportion across the shoulders. When you have a really perfect classic style you can then invest in a more fashion version.'
Indeed, those Insta-friendly finger-skimming sleeves might tick the trend box right now, but will you still want to look like you’re growing into a hand-me-down in a year’s time? My advice: make sure the cuffs hit at the wrist (or have them tailored to do so). The same goes for shoulders: an extended slouch is cool (in fact, a snug shoulder seam tends to read too corporate) but if the seam is slipping half-way down your arm, you’ve entered David Byrne territory.
Really, the only thing you don’t need to get obsessive over is how you style yours. Invest in the right blazer, and it’ll look great over anything and everything.
The Black Blazers To Invest In Now And Wear Forever
'I personally love this slightly cropped version from Alaia,' says Wiggins. 'It’s perfect paired with the balloon trouser silhouette we are seeing this season.'
Toteme is known for its flawless tailored separates, with classic blazers like this selling out every season. With a double-breasted front and just-long-enough hem, this one will work perfectly over both trousers and dresses.
Reformation's classic black blazer is made from deadstock fabric: end-of-line leftovers the brand buys from fabric warehouses, preventing it ending up in landfill.
It might be a sustainable hero, but it's a sartorial triumph too, cut to an oversized fit with a chic double-breasted front.
Trust me: some of the best tailoring on the high street can be found at Reiss. The Mabel blazer (which bafflingly, is reduced to half price right now) is a classic double-breasted cut with properly structured shoulders, a full lining and a sharp single vent at the back. It's made from 100% recycled wool – a rare find at this price point – and even has functional pockets. The dream.
No longer the home of ripped jeans and battered biker boots, today's All Saints cuts some seriously good blazers that look deceivingly expensive.
The Sevenh is an impeccable style with sharp peak lapels and a precisely nipped in waist. It's made from a wool-blend and lined in recycled polyester. Team it with gently flared black trousers for an evening look with major impact.
This one is spot-on for anyone who wants a casual, throw-on-and-go option. It's made from wool for a substantial handle, but infused with stretch for comfort, and the single-breasted silhouette can be shrugged over T-shirts and floral dresses alike.
Saville Row tradition meets Italianate glamour in Blazé Milano's flawless blazers. The Resolute is one of the brand's season-transcending silhouettes: a double-breasted cut with sharply peaked lapels and lustrous satin trims. With a pure wool fabrication, complete with silk lining, this is about as luxe as investment pieces get.
While single-breasted silhouettes work to slim and elongate the figure, there’s an androgynous edge to a double-breasted cut. A good one will be boxy and clean-lined – just like Raey’s pure wool offering, which is seasonless perfection.
If you’re after something bold, glamorous and with more than a little 1980s power-suit energy, Yomi is the fledgling brand you need to know.
Independently owned, the label indulges in craftsmanship and care of passion-project level, from the custom-crafted buttons (inspired by vintage jewellery) to the fuchsia monogrammed satin lining.
This thick, tactile wool-blend blazer is big on the shoulders and cropped to the waist, creating the perfect silhouette for shrugging over wide-leg trousers.
You can’t call yourself a Parisian brand if you don’t boast an impeccable blazer, but no-one does it quite as well as Isabel Marant. The tuxedo-style satin lapels and buttons are traditionally evening territory, but we enjoy the dichotomy of pairing something this sleek with a pair of ripped jeans, too.
If you’re in the market for a slick forever piece, Victoria Beckham is ready to deliver. This note-perfect blazer is just boxy enough, features wide (chic!) lapels, and is trimmed in smooth, lustrous satin.
The blazer at the centre of the oversized suiting mania, The Frankie Shop’s Bea style is a true modern icon. There’s never less than two members of team ELLE UK wearing theirs around the office on any given day.
Made from a majority-wool blend, this winner from & Other Stories is a savvy investment indeed. It's cut to feel just oversized enough, and hangs beautifully whether buttoned over a tee or left open over a midi dress.
This Arket pick is much longer on the hem, so ideal if you're tall, or want something that looks cocooning in size (a great silhouette for pairing with track pants).
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