When it comes to picking out what you’re going to wear, one piece of clothing in the man’s wardrobe can change the way you look – and feel: a blazer. And it’s not just any kind of blazer; it has to be high-quality, stylish, and fit perfectly.
So today, we’re going to show you how a blazer should fit, what type of blazer is best for your body, and how to rock the look with confidence.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to find the perfect fitting blazer!
Blazer Waist Length
The first thing you need to note about how a blazer should fit is the waist length. The waist-length of your blazer should sit right below your hips – not too high and not too low.
Generally, this can be divided into upper, middle, and low.
- Upper rests right at the beltline
- Middle hits right around the pockets
- Low sits at the upper thigh
Most blazers will be one of these three lengths, but you must try on different styles to see what looks and feels best on you. For example, you may find that you prefer a shorter or longer length than what is typically considered “flattering.”
Generally, you want the blazer to rest somewhere around your butt or crotch area (middle length).
Blazer Sleeve Length
The next thing you’ll want to note is the sleeve length. The sleeve length of your blazer should sit right at your wrist bone – not too long and not too short.
You don’t want the sleeves to be so long that they’re bunching up at your wrists, but you also don’t want them to be so short that they’re exposing your skin.
The perfect sleeve length will hit right at your wrist bone and allow for about half-inch of fabric from your dress shirt to show.
Blazer Shoulder Fit
One of the most important things to note when trying on a blazer is the shoulder fit – if it doesn’t sit right, your whole look can be thrown off.
When trying on a blazer, you want the seam from the armhole to rest squarely on the edge of your shoulder. If the shoulder length is too short, you’ll notice the seam ride up your arm; if it’s too long, the excess fabric may bunch up on the shoulder.
The perfect shoulder fit will sit right on the edge of your shoulder with no bunched-up fabric or seams. This can be more pronounced for unstructured blazers (as opposed to structured blazers – those with shoulder padding), but it’s always important to check the fit.
Blazer Chest Fit
The most important factor to look for when trying on a blazer is the chest fit. You want your blazer to gently wrap around your chest. It should never be too tight or too loose.
A good rule of thumb is to button your blazer and do some common movements, including a handshake, hug, stretching up, or bending over. If you notice the blazer is moving too much or pulling, likely, it doesn’t fit quite right.
The perfect blazer will wrap around your chest comfortably and not pull or move too much when you do simple movements.
Blazer Collar Fit
This one is tricky as the blazer jacket collar fit will differ depending on what you are wearing underneath.
Dress Shirt Collar
If you’re pairing your blazer with a dress shirt, it’s important that the collar of the blazer wrap around the edge of your dress shirt’s collar.
You don’t want the blazer collar to be too loose or too tight – just snug enough to stay in place.
T-Shirt Collar
When pairing a blazer with a t-shirt, you want the blazer collar to sit about an inch or two above the collar of your t-shirt. The right blazer collar fit will hide the t-shirt collar completely.
Sweater Collar
When pairing a blazer with a sweater, you want the blazer collar to sit snugly around the sweater collar.
You don’t want too much fabric bunching up, but you also don’t want the blazer collar to be loose. We like to recommend a merino wool sweater as they tend to be thinner and more form-fitting.
Blazer Armholes
Another aspect to consider when buying a blazer is the armhole fit.
You want the armholes of your blazer to be snug enough that it doesn’t pull too much when you move or hug someone, but not so tight that they ride up or constrict your movement.
This is especially important if you weightlift or have muscular arms. Some fashion brands make athletic or muscular-fit blazers with looser armholes to accommodate a broader range of body types.
Blazer Buttons
The buttons on the blazer should rest comfortably at your stomach – not too high or too low.
If the buttons are too high, it will disrupt the natural symmetry of your body and make you look shorter. If the buttons are too low, it can pull the blazer open and make your belly or midsection look bigger.
The perfect button placement will be just below the center of your chest, not too high or low.
For a two-button blazer, the first button should hit above your navel. For a three-button blazer, the second and third buttons will be about an inch or two above your navel.
Blazer Lapel
Most blazers will feature a notch lapel (as opposed to a peak lapel).
Notch lapels are more versatile and can be worn with casual and formal looks. Peak lapels are typically seen on more formal blazers, such as those worn with a suit.
The lapels on your blazer should be in proportion to your body size – not too skinny or too wide. If you have a broad chest or shoulders, you may want to look for a blazer with wider lapels to balance out your proportions.
If you are uncertain, a medium-width lapel is usually a safe bet.
How to Fix a Poor Fitting Blazer
Whether you want to repurpose an old blazer or simply looking to save some money, take your blazer to a tailor for alterations.
Related: Best Cheap Blazers Under $200
A good tailor can help adjust the length of sleeves, shoulder seams, and buttons to get a perfect fit. Some tailors will even adjust to the blazer body itself to help you achieve a good fit. If your blazer looks a little outdated or worn down, consider having your tailor-make some small tweaks to give it a fresher look.
Testing Your Blazer Fit
Here are a few ways you can test if your blazer fits well:
- Try reaching up for something on a high shelf. If the seam from the armhole to the corner of your shoulder rides up, it could be too short.
- Do some simple movements like stretching up or bending over. If you notice the blazer is moving around or pulling, it’s not the right fit.
- Try on your blazer with a dress shirt, t-shirt, or sweater underneath to test the collar fit. If the blazer is too loose or tight, it might be time for some adjustments from your tailor.
- Hug someone. It might be too big if you notice the buttons pulling or the blazer opening up.
- Sit down in your blazer. You should be able to comfortably button your blazer without any pulling or strain. If not, it might be time for some alterations.
If you want to look confident and stylish in your next big meeting, make sure you wear a well-fitting blazer. Keep these tips in mind to find the perfect fit for your body type and style.
Blazer Size Chart
When fitting yourself for a blazer, use the size chart below to determine your correct measurements.
Note that each brand and style of blazer may have different sizing, so be sure to double-check the size chart for the specific blazer you are considering.
Chest: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, typically just below your nipples, making sure to keep the tape parallel to the floor. The tape measure should rest comfortably around your chest, not too tight or too loose.
| Blazer Size | Chest (Inches) |
|---|---|
| 34 | 32 to 34 |
| 35 | 33 to 35 |
| 36 | 34 to 36 |
| 37 | 35 to 37 |
| 38 | 36 to 38 |
| 39 | 37 to 39 |
| 40 | 38 to 40 |
| 41 | 39 to 41 |
| 42 | 40 to 42 |
| 43 | 41 to 43 |
| 44 | 42 to 44 |
| 46 | 44 to 46 |
| 48 | 46 to 48 |
| 50 | 48 to 50 |
| 52 | 50 to 52 |
| 54 | 52 to 54 |
| 56 | 54 to 56 |
| 58 | 56 to 58 |
| 60 | 58 to 60 |
| 62 | 60 to 62 |
| 64 | 62 to 64 |
| 66 | 64 to 66 |
If standard coat sizes aren’t available, here is a more generic XS to XL blazer size chart:
| Size | Chest (Inches) |
|---|---|
| XS | 32 to 34 |
| S | 35 to 37 |
| M | 38 to 40 |
| L | 41 to 43 |
| XL | 44 to 46 |
| XXL | 47 to 49 |
A note for waist, hips, and sleeve measurements: Some blazer brands may specify these measurements. This is often found on custom suits and other high-end brands. We recommend visiting a store in person to get properly fitted for these measurements.
Blazer Length
Aside from chest size, blazers are also sized by length. Blazer lengths are typically offered in short, regular, long sizes, and extra-long sizes (ex: 38S, 38R, 38L, or 38X). Here’s how to find the right length for you:
| Blazer Length | Height |
|---|---|
| Short (S) | 5’8″ and shorter |
| Regular (R) | 5’9″ to 6’2″ |
| Long (L) | 6’2″ to 6’6″ |
| Extra-Long (X) | 6’6″ and taller |
Now that you know how to find the right fit and size, go out there and find the perfect blazer for you!