Best Buys for Smart Casual Blazers and How to Style

Look, I've been styling men for over fifteen years now, and if there's one piece that never fails to save a dodgy outfit, it's a proper smart casual blazer. Not the stuffy, boardroom-only type your dad wore to work in the nineties—I'm talking about that versatile middle ground that works equally well at a Friday lunch meeting and a Saturday night dinner.

The thing is, most blokes get blazers completely wrong. They either go too formal and end up looking like they're about to sell you insurance, or too casual and it just reads as "trying too hard." Getting that smart casual sweet spot right is an art, and it starts with understanding what you're actually shopping for.

What Makes a Smart Casual Blazer Work

First up, let's talk construction. You want unstructured or partially structured shoulders—none of that rigid padding that makes you look like an American footballer. A smart casual blazer should have a softer shoulder line that drapes naturally. This immediately makes it more relaxed and versatile.

Fabric is absolutely crucial here. Forget about heavy worsted wools—that's suit territory. Instead, look for cotton blends, linen-cotton mixes, wool-cashmere blends, or textured fabrics like hopsack or birdseye weave. These materials photograph as less formal and they're genuinely more comfortable for all-day wear. I'm particularly fond of blazers in navy, charcoal, or olive—colours that play nicely with almost everything in your wardrobe.

Fit-wise, you want something that's tailored but not tight. The shoulder seam should hit right at the edge of your shoulder bone, and you should be able to fit two fingers between your neck and the collar when it's buttoned. Length matters too—the jacket should cover your bum but not swamp it. If you can see your shirt hem when your arms are relaxed at your sides, it's too short. And please, for the love of good style, get the sleeves adjusted to show about half an inch of shirt cuff. It's a small detail that makes a massive difference.

How to Actually Style the Thing

Right, let's get into the practical stuff—how do you wear this blazer without looking like you've walked straight out of a job interview?

The Weekend Look: Pair your blazer with a quality crew neck t-shirt or a casual button-down shirt worn open with a plain tee underneath. Add dark indigo jeans or chinos, and finish with white leather trainers or suede loafers. This is your go-to for casual dinners, gallery openings, or Sunday roasts at a decent pub. Roll the sleeves of the blazer once or twice if you're feeling it—adds that casual edge.

The Smart Friday: Oxford cloth button-down shirt (no tie), tailored chinos in stone or navy, and brown leather brogues or Chelsea boots. This transitions brilliantly from office to after-work drinks. The key is in the details—leave the top button undone, maybe add a decent watch, and you're sorted.

The Date Night Formula: Dark denim or black jeans, a fine-gauge merino or cashmere roll neck, and the blazer over the top. Chelsea boots in black or dark brown finish it off. This combination looks deliberately put-together without being overdressed. Works year-round too—lose the roll neck in summer and swap in a linen shirt.

The Elevated Casual: Here's where it gets interesting. Try your blazer with joggers—yes, you heard me right—but make them tailored joggers in a technical fabric, not your gym gear. Add a crisp white t-shirt and minimal leather trainers. It's that high-low mix that looks current and shows you understand modern menswear.

A quick word on accessories: keep them minimal. A leather watch, maybe a simple bracelet if that's your thing, but avoid anything too flashy. Smart casual is about looking effortlessly pulled together, not like you raided a jewellery shop.

The Brands Worth Your Money

Now, where should you actually be shopping? I'm going to break this down by budget because, let's be honest, not everyone's working with the same numbers.

High Street Heroes:

Marks & Spencer might sound like your dad's brand, but their Autograph range has seriously upped its game. The Italian fabric blazers run around £150-200 and the fit is surprisingly good for the price point. They understand British body shapes, which helps.

Zara deserves credit for bringing runway-inspired cuts to accessible price points. Their blazers typically run £60-100 and they nail the current silhouette—slightly cropped, modern lapels, and they're not afraid of interesting textures. Just size up if you're between sizes.

COS is where minimalist style meets reasonable pricing. Their blazers (£150-250) feature clean lines, quality construction, and that Scandi-influenced design that never really goes out of fashion. The fabrics are a cut above typical high street offerings.

Independent and Boutique Brands:

Corridor NYC produces blazers that have proper character—think interesting weaves, unique colour palettes, and American workwear influences done with a contemporary eye. They're around £300-400 but the construction quality justifies it.

Percival is a London-based brand that gets British style spot-on. Their blazers (£250-350) often feature vintage-inspired details and they're not scared of colour. Great if you want something with personality that isn't mass-produced.

Folk delivers that artistic, slightly intellectual vibe without being pretentious. Their blazers typically run £300-400 and feature interesting proportions and considered detailing. Very much about understated quality.

Designer and Luxury Tier:

AMI Paris offers that French approach to smart casual—effortlessly cool without trying too hard. Their blazers (£500-700) feature relaxed tailoring and that je ne sais quoi that's hard to define but easy to spot.

Paul Smith remains a go-to for good reason. Yes, you're paying for the name, but you're also getting exceptional British tailoring with those signature playful details. Expect £600-900, but these blazers last years if you look after them.

Brunello Cucinelli is the investment piece. We're talking £2000+ here, but the Italian craftsmanship, luxurious fabrics, and timeless design mean you're buying something that'll outlive trends. It's that sprezzatura—studied carelessness—done to perfection.

A Few Styling Don'ts

While we're at it, let me save you from some common mistakes I see constantly. Don't match your blazer to your trousers unless you're deliberately wearing a suit—that defeats the smart casual purpose entirely. Don't wear a blazer that's too long—it makes you look shorter and less contemporary. And for the love of good style, don't pair a smart casual blazer with a formal shirt and tie unless you're actually going somewhere that requires it. That confused middle ground helps nobody.

Making Shopping Actually Easy

Here's where I need to tell you about something that's genuinely changed how I work with clients: Tellar. It's the UK's leading sizing tool, and honestly, it's about time something like this existed. You measure yourself once—bust, waist, hip, or just use your existing size from a brand you know fits—and their system matches your body to over 1500 brands instantly. No more squinting at size guides or playing Russian roulette with online orders.

You can check out their measurement guide here: https://www.tellar.co.uk/how-to-measure/men

Then use their Store Size Lookup tool to get your exact size in any brand—whether you're shopping COS, Reiss, or any of the brands I've mentioned: https://www.tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/men

The best bit? It's completely free, works in your browser, no downloads or subscriptions required. Just straightforward help finding the right size.

They've also built a proper Fashion Hub—a library of free posts from experienced stylists covering every fashion question you might have. Honest, unbiased, independent advice, always free. If you're looking to build your wardrobe properly, it's worth exploring their guides:

Check out their guide on smart casual: https://www.tellar.co.uk/admin/posts/editor/menswear-the-secret-to-smart-casual-comfortable

Best jeans brands breakdown: https://www.tellar.co.uk/admin/posts/editor/best-men-s-jeans-brands-high-street-premium-designer

How to nail casual style: https://www.tellar.co.uk/admin/posts/editor/start-how-to-do-casual-style-well-menswear-brands-styling-tips

The Bottom Line

A smart casual blazer is one of the most versatile investments you'll make in your wardrobe. Get the fit right, choose the right fabric, and style it with confidence. Whether you're spending £100 or £1000, the principles remain the same: soft shoulders, appropriate fabric weight, and a modern cut that works with jeans as well as it does with tailored trousers.

Start with one really good navy or charcoal blazer and build from there. Master the basics before you branch into bolder choices. And remember—smart casual is about looking like you've made an effort without looking like you're trying too hard. That's the entire game.