It’s official: winter is here — and it’s time for the blazer to take centre stage. Try as we might, even the most reluctant among us can’t deny that as we approach mid-November, the 4 pm sunsets and cold weather are here to stay. Those flimsy summer dresses and flip-flops may still be glaring at us from the wardrobe, but it’s time to accept defeat and retire the spirit of summer dressing for another year.
Thankfully, this doesn’t have to mean fisherman knits and faux-fur jackets alone. With a few tactical layers and the right blazer, the key components of your transitional wardrobe can hold their own through the colder months. Taking cues from the street-style set, here are the easiest ways to bring a blazer into your winter rotation.
Baggy jeans and loose layers
When paired with a breezy shirt (ideally leftover from summer and layered over a Uniqlo Heattech top, for practicality), a classic tailored blazer shakes off its boardroom associations. Slung together yet still slightly put-together, this one’s for the “throw on and go” dressers among us.
Suede blazer and classic tailoring
Not all blazers are created equal. Some bring to mind The Wolf of Wall Street power players; others, Bob Dylan in Greenwich Village. The suede blazer falls firmly into the latter camp, making it the perfect antidote to looking like you’re wearing a school uniform you’ll eventually “grow into.”
Straight-leg jeans and a polo shirt
A more polished spin on the above summer shirt and slouchy jeans. Paired with classic straight-leg jeans and a polo shirt buttoned up to the top, the blazer takes on a preppy, vaguely collegiate vibe without the need for rugby colours or a house scarf.
Pinstriped co-ords
Sometimes, it pays to commit, so rather than fighting the ’80s power-dressing associations, lean into a full pinstripe look. Make sure to throw in a pair of slouchy boots to remind everyone that we’ve evolved past the era of Walkmans and aerobics.
Statement colours and power shoulders
It’s easy to slip into soft silhouettes and shapeless knitwear when winter hits, but a structured, power-shouldered blazer is an instant antidote to the November slump. While you’re at it, why not opt for an in-your-face hue to pair with oversized sunglasses?
Relaxed tailoring
Sometimes, it’s all about the simple life. The 2025 update on traditional tailoring comes oversized and slightly slouchy, with not a pencil skirt or a spindly stiletto in sight. Add a contrasting bag to show that it’s not all greyscale monochrome till spring.
Maxi dress and ballet flats
If there’s one thing we owe the Noughties, it’s the humble ballet flat. Do they provide ankle support? No. Are they waterproof? Absolutely not. But paired with a maxi dress and a blazer, they strike the perfect balance between polish and practicality. This is the antithesis of the commuter outfit, featuring orthopaedic trainers, if ever there were one.
