Slipping on a fancy suit is nice and all, but dressing up like you’re George Clooney on the daily just can’t be all that comfortable. Sometimes, you just want to relax and dress in more casual attires. Problem is, casual outfits often end up veering into the “too casual” territory and might not be the look you’re trying to achieve. Fortunately, a casual lightweight blazer can immediately fix that issue.
The best casual blazers lend an instant boost of sophistication to even the most casual outfits, turning the simplest tee-and-jeans ensemble into clean-looking smart casual fare. It’s a very impressive piece of garment, allowing you to elevate erstwhile humdrum outfits in an effortless manner. Suffice to say, they’re the kind of garments that enhance your wardrobe without even trying.
The best casual blazers have very distinct differences from your usual suit jackets. They’re usually more relaxed, offer less structure, and have roomier fits, apart from coming in bolder colors and livelier patterns. Casual blazers can feel a lot less stuck up, with their wider lapels, patch pockets, and lighter fabrics, allowing you to dress up in a way that’s relaxed yet impeccable-looking.
We’ve rounded up 10 of the best casual blazers you can get today to smarten up even the most casual attires hanging in your closet.
J. Crew Garment-Dyed Cotton-Linen Chino Suit Jacket
J. Crew calls this casual blazer the “wear everywhere suit.” We can’t disagree, as this workwear-inspired cotton-and-linen jacket has good looks that translate everywhere you wear it, whether in an office boardroom, an art show at the local gallery, or a late night party. It has a lightweight build and a subtle texture that makes it perfect for suiting in warmer weather, all while staying comfortable to have on even through an entire day in it. We love the fit, which keeps things slim without being restrictive, allowing you to stay active without having to take it off. Features include a 3.25-inch notch lapel, three patch pockets, and two-button closure. It comes in two colors: khaki and navy.
Everlane Performance Chino Blazer
The fit and finish of this casual blazer looks professional enough for the workplace, all while playing very nicely with more casual pieces in your closet. There’s an unpretentious and unburdened air about it that makes it so easy to pair with other outfits, while tying everything together in a look that’s very smart and very business-friendly. It’s made from a cotton and elastane blend that gives it a comfortable four-way stretch, along with sweat-wicking and quick-drying properties that make it such a handy piece for busy guys. There’s even a vent in the back for extra airflow, in case you need it. It’s available in deep navy and toasted coconut colors.
Buck Mason Herringbone Twill Carry-On Jacket
Designed for travel, this casual blazer is a tailored to give it a flattering shape, all while being relaxed enough to let you mingle along city streets without looking out of place. The thicker twill fabric gives it a rugged flair that goes so well with jeans and other casual garments, all while still looking locked in with button-downs and work pants for a business meeting. Sure, it’s not the most business-oriented suit in the list, but the tailored cut does a lot to help it clean your outfit up when needed. Features include fully-finished seams, notch lapel, three patch pockets, and two internal welt pockets.
Alex Mill Mill Blazer
Originally created to pair with the outfit’s straight leg chinos, this casual blazer offers a structured yet relaxed fit that’s perfect for wearing to work, while having enough of that sport coat vibe to blend in nicely when you keep it on at a bar, a club show, or even your favorite food truck. There’s a rough-and-tumble quality to it, despite its workplace roots, almost like a rugged version of a stuffy business suit. It’s made from the same garment-dyed cotton that the outfit uses for their popular chinos, by the way, which dictates a lot about its shape and overall aesthetic. Features include corozo button with contrast corozo backer buttons, half-lined interior with contrast piping, and a true-to-size fit that’s sure to flatter.
Buck Mason Felted Chore Coat
This feels a lot like a cross between a sweater and a suit jacket. Fortunately, it doesn’t look like a cardigan whatsoever. Instead, the result is a casual blazer with a very workingman vibe, almost like you’re trying to be the best-dressed tradesman at a dusty workshop. Turn the collars up and it looks even more casual, adopting a chore coat-like silhouette that will leave you looking ready for a busy day at the docks. Construction is 340 GSM merino wool, so this is a temperature-regulating garment that should be perfectly wearable for most of the year. We love the fit, which is cut slimmer through the arms and more relaxed across the torso, creating a tailored silhouette that can easily accommodate a few layers underneath.
Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer
Is it a blazer of a work jacket? We’re not really sure. However, you can wear it like a casual blazer and look adequately professional for the office despite the lack of padding and tailoring, while loosening up into a carefree sports jacket after you clock out of the grind. Sure, you’re not going to impress a room full of three-piece suits making a presentation in this jacket, but it’s a good look in most other workplace situations. It’s made with a cotton and spandex blend that’s soft and lightweight with a satisfying stretch, with a cotton sateen interior trim and woven tape-backed reinforcements. The jacket is available in a variety of colors, too, so you can clean up your outfits in different ways with this handsome piece.
Bonobos Jetsetter Unconstructed Italian Wool Blazer
There’s a reason Bonobo’s Jetsetter line is consistently among the outfit’s bestsellers – they have a bunch of sweet-looking suits and blazers in that collection. This unstructured casual blazer is easily one of our favorites, with its slimmer fit almost making it look tailored, despite the natural shoulders and unlined interior. Made from 100 percent wool, it’s warm enough to wear in cooler weather, while still being pretty comfortable during warmer days. We also like the button placements, which feel more natural and correct, while the use of a welt pocket instead of a patch pocket gives it just a slightly more professional look. It’s available in six colors, too, so you can coordinate your casual blazer with the rest of your outfits.
Todd Snyder Italian Linen Sutton Jacket
“A suit that doesn’t feel like a suit,” is what Todd Snyder calls their casual blazer. We can’t disagree, as this 100 percent linen garment brings a slim yet relaxed fit that doesn’t constrain in any manner, all while being so breathable and lightweight that it wears comfortably even when you’re on the move. It has a notched lapel that’s just a tad narrower than we’re used to, giving it that stylish tailored look, while details such as pick stitching at the lapel, single welt chest pocket, butterfly lining, and double vents give it an overall refined feel.
Luca Faloni Travel Blazer
This Italian-made casual blazer brings a smart and professional look with its slimmer cut and half lining, allowing it to inject some sophistication into the most casual attires. Despite that, there’s a laid back yet luxurious quality to the piece, which gives off vibes of yachting in the summer, cocktails by the poolside, and high-stakes winnings at the craps table. It’s made from wool, so there’s a certain warmth to it, but it’s actually light enough to wear out even on a sunny day. Features include a single-breasted double-button closure, AMF stitching, a notch lapel, and patch pockets.
Ralph Lauren RL67 Herringbone Jacket
There’s a bit of an old-fashioned quality to this casual blazer. That’s not surprising, since it’s modeled after a sport coat that Ralph Lauren himself has been wearing since the 1970s, giving it that unmistakable vintage look. We love the trim fit through the chest and waist, along with the shorter length, which gives it a cleaner and smarter silhouette, although it’s fully-lined, so it’s not quite as lightweight as the unlined options in the list. The color just complements so many outfits well, too, from dressier office attires to your tee-and-jeans ensemble for Sunday barbecue. It’s designed for unisex suiting, by the way, so it’s a garment your wife might occasionally swipe from your closet.