The black blazer is the easiest piece in the wardrobe to buy and also the easiest to get wrong. You wear it with black trousers, a white shirt and black shoes, and the whole outfit looks exactly like an event-staff uniform. So what to wear with a black blazer to look smart without looking stiff? Mon Amie suggests the seven formulas below, plus three small rules that let a black blazer “breathe”.
Quick answer
A black blazer looks best with trousers in a different colour: grey, beige, khaki, deep navy or dark blue jeans. Underneath, choose white, pale blue, pale pink, a turtleneck or a polo. The rules: never go all black, add a patch of colour or texture, and keep to dark brown or matt black shoes rather than glossy ones.
Why a black blazer so easily looks like a “uniform”
Black is the deepest colour, swallowing seams, folds and personality alike. When the whole outfit is one black, the eye has no accent to rest on, and it looks like a waiter's uniform. On top of that, if the blazer is in shiny cloth with satin lapels, it looks like a tuxedo worn at the wrong hour.
So keep three small rules in mind:
- Break up the black with colour or texture. A pair of grey trousers or a beige turtleneck is enough to lighten the outfit.
- Choose a matt black blazer cloth. Finely woven wool, not shiny, with black horn buttons, instead of cloth with a metallic sheen.
- Dress down the other half. The blazer is already formal, so the trousers and the shirt underneath can be more relaxed.
What to wear with a black blazer: 7 formulas by occasion
| Formula | Top | Trousers | Shoes | Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Classic office | White shirt | Mid grey | Dark brown or matt black derby | Meetings, work |
| 2. Smart casual | Polo or pale blue shirt | Khaki or beige | Brown loafers | Fridays, weekends |
| 3. Minimal | Black or grey turtleneck | Charcoal grey | Chelsea boots | Dinner out |
| 4. Youthful | Plain white T-shirt | Dark blue jeans, not ripped | White leather sneakers, derby | Coffee, dates |
| 5. Soft colour | Pale pink shirt | Charcoal grey | Dark brown shoes | Light events |
| 6. Hot season | White or linen shirt | Ivory or beige | Suede loafers | Outdoor parties |
| 7. Cool season | Thin knit in beige or camel | Olive or brown | Brown boots | Cool days |
Formula 1: Black blazer, white shirt, grey trousers
This is the original formula. Mid-grey trousers stop the outfit being a “black suit”, while the white shirt keeps it neat. Add a belt matching the shoes and you have an outfit that almost never goes wrong.
Formula 3: Turtleneck, black blazer
A thin turtleneck under a black blazer feels clean and modern and needs almost no accessories. Choose a fine wool turtleneck, not too high at the neck, in grey or black. Avoid a thick turtleneck, because it pushes the blazer collar away from the neck.
Formula 4: White T-shirt, dark jeans
A black blazer with a white T-shirt and dark blue jeans is the easiest weekend look. The conditions: a T-shirt of medium thickness with a neat round neck, and jeans that are not ripped or faded. The blazer should have a soft shoulder, not a heavily padded one.
A black blazer in Saigon's hot, humid weather
Black absorbs more heat than light colours when you stand in the sun, which is why many people hesitate over a black blazer in a hot, humid city. There are three ways to handle it. One, choose a thin, breathable woven wool such as tropical or hopsack in place of a heavy four-season cloth. Two, choose a half-lined or unlined blazer so the jacket breathes more. Three, pair it with a linen shirt, a piqué polo or a plain cotton T-shirt instead of a turtleneck and wool knit. For outings with a lot of time in the sun, carry the blazer over your arm or hang it in the car, and put it on only when you step into an air-conditioned room.
Shoes and accessories for a black blazer
Dark brown shoes are the saving grace of a black blazer, because they cut the black while still working with grey, beige and navy. If the shoes are black, choose a matt leather, not a mirror shine. The belt matches the shoes.
Keep accessories simple: a white cotton pocket square folded flat, a leather-strap watch, no large pins. A black tie should not be worn with a black blazer to work, unless you are attending a funeral.
Men's black blazer: which style is easiest to pair
Not every black blazer is easy to wear. A blazer with a soft shoulder, two buttons, medium lapels and matt wool cloth is the easiest to pair. A double-breasted blazer with black buttons suits a formal style and needs more careful pairing. A gold-button blazer is close to a nautical style, suited to weekends and less to the office.
As for cut, a shorter blazer that just reaches the hip suits jeans and a polo; a slightly longer blazer suits a shirt and dress trousers.
Mistakes when styling a black blazer
- All black from head to toe. No accent; it looks like a uniform.
- Black tie, white shirt, black trousers. A waiter's formula, not a style.
- Glossy shoes. Shiny shoes push the blazer toward tuxedo territory.
- Skinny trousers. A black blazer already creates a strong block; skinny trousers throw it out of balance.
- A blazer that is too tight. The tighter black gets, the more it shows creases, creating a heavy feel.
A tip from Mon Amie's master tailor
When having a black blazer made, choose a matt woven wool (such as twill or hopsack) and black horn buttons, because these two details decide whether the jacket looks elegant or greasy-shiny. The shoulder cannot be altered, so choose the jacket by its shoulder first. You can also try these combinations on a virtual suit on the online suit designer page.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear with a black suit jacket to work?
A white or pale blue shirt, mid-grey trousers, and dark brown or matt black derby shoes. This is the safe formula, suited to most offices. To loosen it up, swap black trousers for grey.
What colour trousers go with a men's black blazer?
Grey, beige, khaki, deep navy, olive or dark blue jeans. Avoid black trousers with it if you do not want to look like a suit or a uniform.
Is a men's black blazer right for a party?
Yes, if you choose a matt cloth with medium lapels and pair it with a white shirt, a pocket square and leather shoes. For a more formal party, consider a tuxedo instead of a black blazer.
Can a black blazer be worn with a T-shirt?
Yes, with a plain T-shirt of medium thickness and a neat round neck, and dark blue jeans or chinos. Avoid T-shirts with large logos or loud prints.
Can a black blazer cope with hot Saigon weather?
Yes, if you choose a thin woven wool, half-lined, and pair it with a linen shirt or a polo instead of a turtleneck. Black absorbs more heat than light colours when you stand in the sun, so put the jacket on at the last minute and take it off when you are outdoors.
A black blazer worth the money
Once you know what to wear with a black blazer, the remaining question is which one to choose. If you need a black blazer you can wear all year, choose the cut, cloth and shoulder that suit you rather than chasing trends. Mon Amie makes made-to-measure blazers to your measurements; if you would like to see samples first, open the product collection. For more on styling, see what colour shirt to wear with a black suit and what colour shoes to wear with a black suit.