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A black blazer elevates pretty much any outfit: Pop one on over jeans and a tee and your look instantly goes from thrown together to effortlessly cool. Plus, with transitional spring weather upon us, now is as good a time as any to invest in one — though you may find its versatility and functionality will make you reach for it all year long.
To help you sort through the many shapes, fabrics, and silhouettes out there, I asked a panel of fashionable women about the black blazers they wear the most. Their picks below include options that span the style spectrum — some oversize and boxy, others tailored and classic, and, in a very early-aughts twist, even one with a peplum. And if you’re on the hunt for more Strategist-approved wardrobe basics, check out our guides to the best black work pants and white T-shirts, too.
What we’re looking for
Material
While nearly all blazers are dry-clean only, the materials they’re made of differ depending on the style and price point. Polyester, viscose, rayon, and nylon are especially popular fabrics as they’re easily cleaned and can achieve the sharp, professional crispness of a business garment. Leather blazers — either real or faux — impart a slightly edgier vibe, while wool blazers conjure images of prep-school uniforms. Many will also contain a touch of spandex or elastane to give the blazer some stretch and help maintain its structure.
Design details
Blazers can be single-breasted, with one column of buttons and a narrow overlap of fabric, or double-breasted, with a greater overlap and two parallel rows of buttons. I’ve noted whether each blazer below is single- or double-breasted. I’ve also mentioned any design details of interest, such as shoulder pads, front pockets, or an unusual collar.
Price
Although they have thoroughly transcended their categorization as formalwear, blazers still tend to be on the pricier side. But rest assured there are plenty of cost-effective options out there, so I’ve designated each blazer below as $, $$, or $$$, for blazers priced under $200, between $200 and $400, and over $400, respectively.
Best black blazer overall
Materials: Polyester, viscose, wool | Design details: Single-breasted, exaggerated shoulders, chest welt pocket, waist flap pockets | Price: $$
Influencer Ella McFadin and content creator and real-estate agent Beth Doud Tomashoff both called out the brand DISSH for its on-trend blazer options that are destined to become closet staples. McFadin assures us that everything from the brand is super-high-quality. “I’ll style mine with a silk skirt and wear it to business meetings,” she says. Doud Tomashoff especially likes the clean, simple lines on this Harley blazer. “This is one of those blazers you have in your closet forever and wear a million different ways,” she declares. “You can wear it to work, you can wear it out. You can wear it in the summer with denim shorts and a T-shirt or pair it in the winter with heels and jeans for dinner.”
Best (less expensive) black blazer
Materials: Polyester, viscose, elastane | Design details: Double- breasted, waist flap pockets | Price: $
If you’re looking to spend less than $100, Mango, H&M, and Zara were all mentioned as sources for solid, cost-effective blazers. McKenzie DePinto, an account executive at Mansur Gavriel, says that because this Zara blazer is so inexpensive, you don’t have to worry about ruining it on a night out: “If I’m going to a bar that has people packed in like sardines, I’m going to opt for my Zara blazer.” She has owned hers for three years now, and even though she doesn’t feel the need to baby it, she reports it has held up very well for how much she’s worn it.
Best oversize black blazer
Material: Wool | Design details: Single-breasted, shoulder pads, chest welt pocket, waist flap pockets | Price: $$$
Five people mentioned Anine Bing as an excellent source for blazers, with this oversize Quinn style name-checked the most. “I’ve tried so many different blazers, and sometimes they swallow you up or they don’t have enough shape,” says personal stylist Brittany Sansone. But she describes the Quinn as “perfectly oversize while still being structured” and adds that its cost per wear “has made it basically free for me!” This blazer is also a favorite of Hally Seminara and Lauren Vreeland, co-founders of OMG You Need That, who both tend to prefer a longer length and looser fit in their blazers. “You won’t necessarily look like you’re going to a boardroom,” Vreeland says, but according to Seminara, “the tailoring is key here” to keep it from looking too shapeless. And though it certainly isn’t cheap, it is made from 100 percent wool, which helps justify the investment.
Best (less expensive) oversize black blazer
Materials: Rayon, polyester | Design details: Single-breasted, welt chest pocket | Price: $
While the options above are already fairly baggy and loose fitting, if you’re on the hunt for something that will really swallow you up, look no further than the Frankie Shop’s very oversize boyfriend blazer. According to stylist and content creator Jules Fox, it’s fairly similar in cut and shape to the blazer from Anine Bing but even more roomy so it’s perfect for layering. It’s so big “you can actually throw it on over anything, even a chunky sweater,” Fox reports.
Best tailored black blazer
Materials: Triacetate, polyester | Design details: Single-breasted, angled chest pocket, waist flap pockets | Price: $$$
For a more traditional, slim-fitting blazer, Zahava Ryzman, founder of jewelry brand Sarah Chloe, says this one from Theory has been her “favorite go-to blazer for years now.” She appreciates how it’s cropped close to the body with a nice fit thanks to the tailoring and seams. The blazer’s crêpe fabric, a synthetic-fiber blend, “is the perfect weight for when it’s both warm and cool outside,” making it especially great as a transitional piece.
Best (less expensive) tailored black blazers
Materials: Polyester, viscose, elastane | Design details: Single-breasted, chest welt pocket, waist flap pockets, popped collar | Price: $$
Alison Rogel, a six-foot-one influencer, recommends this fitted J.Crew blazer that comes in petite, standard, and tall sizes. “Its sleek look and popped collar will add a sense of preppy sophistication to your closet,” says Rogel, adding that it pairs “perfectly with a lightweight turtleneck, slim-fit cropped pants, and loafers.”
Materials: Rayon, nylon, spandex | Design details: Single-breasted, waist welt pockets | Price: $
Natalie Craig, a petite plus-size fashion blogger, recommends this affordable tailored option from Torrid. Made from a blend of rayon, nylon, and spandex, the blazer hits the perfect balance between structure and stretch. “It comes with me to every conference and trade show, and it’s in regular rotation for most of my office looks,” Craig says.
Best black leather blazer
Material: Recycled leather | Design details: Single-breasted, waist flap pockets | Price: $$
If you’re on the hunt for a real leather blazer but want to be mindful of sustainability, Deadwood repurposes excess leather from tanneries to create upcycled clothes like this black leather blazer. (Even its lining is made from recycled materials.) Jewelry designer Sophie Monet says, “It’s a modernized classic ode to Gwyneth Paltrow’s ’90s wardrobe staple. The look still holds strong today.”
Best faux-leather black blazer
Materials: Polyester, polyurethane | Design details: Single-breasted, chest welt pocket, waist flap pockets| Price: $$$
For a high-end faux-leather blazer, stylist and art director Vivian Chuang says this Nanushka one feels as luxurious as a Proenza Schouler or Loewe counterpart at less than half the price tag. She especially likes the “cool factor of leather,” while the boxy cut and wide shoulders “keep it fresh.”
Best (less expensive) faux-leather black blazer
Material: Polyurethane | Design details: Single-breasted, waist flap pockets | Price: $$
For a less expensive faux-leather option, Rogel recommends this Olympia blazer, another style from the Frankie Shop. She likes that “the oversize fit and slouchy shoulders make it effortlessly chic.”
Best black wool blazer
Material: Virgin wool | Design details: Double-breasted, chest welt pocket, waist flap pockets | Price: $$$
An all-wool blazer can be a splurge, but if you take care of it, it’s practically guaranteed to become a wardrobe staple that gets better with age. Art director and creative stylist Juliana Salazar recommends this Wardrobe.NYC blazer because it’s “not too oversize, so it still feels very classic without being boring.” She also notes that it is made of 100 percent virgin wool, meaning “it has a great shape without being stiff.” She prefers wearing her blazer “over a very feminine, preferably white or slightly sheer, dress — this harsh contrast is my favorite.”
Best (less expensive) black wool blazer
Materials: Wool, elastane | Design details: Double-breasted, shoulder pads, angled chest pocket, waist flap pockets | Price: $$
“Ralph Lauren makes my absolute favorite blazer,” says personal stylist and Kule content director Elizabeth Tamkin. Hers was passed down to her from her mother, but she says this one is very similar in style with its double-breasted silhouette and dark wool-crêpe material. Tamkin assures us that Ralph Lauren blazers are extremely well made and hold up beautifully over time: “The one I have is probably as old as I am at this point, and it’s still my go-to blazer.”
Best black peplum blazer
Material: Polyurethane | Design details: Single-breasted, peplum flare, Velcro closure | Price: $$$
If you’re looking for a blazer with a “feminine touch,” Flora Backer, designer and founder of Rya Collection, recommends this Norma Kamali peplum option. She has owned hers for 20 years and says she has “not stopped wearing it” at any point in those two decades. It’s comfortable while she’s “running around all day at my studio doing model fittings, designing collections, and attending meetings,” she says. It’s made of a polyester and spandex blend, so it’s lightweight with a bit of stretch.
Additional reporting by Arielle Avila
Our experts
• Flora Backer, designer and founder of Rya Collection
• Vivian Chuang, stylist and art director
• Natalie Craig, fashion blogger
• Beth Doud Tomashoff, content creator and real-estate agent
• Jules Fox, stylist and content creator
• Ella McFadin, influencer
• Sophie Monet, jewelry designer
• Alison Rogel, influencer and content creator
• Zahava Ryzman, founder of jewelry brand Sarah Chloe
• Juliana Salazar, art director and creative stylist
• Brittany Sansone, personal stylist
• Hally Seminara, co-founder of OMG You Need That
• Elizabeth Tamkin, personal stylist and Kule content director
• Lauren Vreeland, co-founder of OMG You Need That
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