The Navy Blazer: How to Wear the Most Versatile Jacket

The short answer: a navy blazer goes with almost everything, which is why it is the first tailored jacket most women should buy. Wear it with white and denim for a classic look, with grey and camel for the office, and with black for a modern evening. Choose a double-breasted cut with gold-tone buttons for a nautical, classic feel, and a single-breasted cut with dark buttons for something quieter.

If black is the default for evening, navy is the default for everything else. It is softer than black against the face, smarter than grey and easier to pair than any colour. This guide covers how to choose a navy blazer and how to wear it every day of the week.

A short history of the navy blazer

The navy blazer comes from naval and rowing uniforms, which is why so many carry gold buttons. It moved into menswear as the jacket that could be worn without a matching trouser, and into womenswear as the most useful piece of borrowed tailoring. Labels such as Blazé Milano, which builds its collections around the women’s blazer, keep a navy version in almost every season.

Why navy works

Navy is dark enough to look formal and to slim the silhouette, but it has warmth and depth that black lacks. It flatters most skin tones and looks less severe in daylight. It also pairs with both warm and cool colours, from camel to grey, which makes it the most flexible base colour in a wardrobe.

Which navy blazer to choose

The Blazé Milano navy blazers, explained

Navy is the colour Blazé Milano returns to most. The Everyday Blazer in Resolute Navy is the house double-breasted in 100% virgin wool, cut straight through the waist with lightly padded shoulders, peak lapels and golden buttons; it fits true to size. The Everyday Blazer in First Class Navy is the same shape in another navy cloth. The Everynight Blazer in Alcanara Navy is the oversized version; the brand recommends one size smaller.

The Mystere Night Blue cloth, a midnight wool and cashmere, comes as the hourglass Charmer, which the brand describes as reimagining the classic navy suit with a feminine silhouette, and the oversized Nightbreak with black velvet details for evening. Both match the Fox Pants and the slightly flared Lundy Pants for a suit. For a check, the Aramis Navy Charmer pairs with the matching Lundy Pant.

What colours go with a navy blazer

How to wear a navy blazer

The classic: white and denim

A navy double-breasted blazer, a white T-shirt and blue jeans is the most reliable outfit there is. Add loafers. More combinations in how to wear a blazer with jeans.

The office: grey trousers, white shirt

Navy over grey is softer than a full suit and looks smart without trying too hard.

The suit

Navy blazer with matching navy trousers is the most versatile suit you can own: for work, for weddings, for interviews. See every Blazé Milano set in Blazé Milano suits.

The evening: navy and black

Once considered a clash, navy with black is now a chic evening combination: a midnight blazer, a black silk top, black trousers.

The summer: white trousers

Navy blazer, white trousers, a striped top and espadrilles is the Riviera classic.

Navy blazer by occasion

Navy check versus plain navy

A plain navy blazer is the most versatile and the most formal. A navy check, such as the Aramis Navy cloth from Blazé Milano, has more texture and personality, works better with jeans and hides creases, but is a little harder to match with patterned pieces. If you own one navy blazer, choose plain; if you are adding a second, choose a check.

Caring for a navy blazer

Dark wool shows dust and lint, so brush a navy blazer after every wear. Give it a day off between wears, steam it rather than pressing it, which can leave a shine on dark cloth, and store it on a broad hanger. Always follow the care label.

Gold buttons, dark buttons

Gold-tone buttons give a navy blazer its nautical, classic character and make it a statement piece. Dark buttons, horn, black, fabric-covered, make it quieter and easier to wear as part of a suit. Blazé Milano uses gold-tone embossed buttons on its Everyday and Everynight blazers and black loden-effect buttons on its Charmer and Nightbreak, so you can choose by mood.

Sizing a navy blazer

Buy for the shoulder; see how a blazer should fit. Blazé Milano sizes 00, 0, I, II, III and IV convert to UK 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14. The brand advises your usual size in the Everyday and Charmer, and one size smaller in the oversized Everynight and Nightbreak.

Frequently asked questions

What goes with a navy blazer for women?

White, denim blue, grey, camel, black, burgundy and soft pastels. A white T-shirt and blue jeans is the classic pairing.

Can you wear a navy blazer with black trousers?

Yes. Navy and black is a modern, understated combination, especially for evening.

Is a navy blazer better than a black blazer?

For daytime, navy is usually more versatile and softer against the face. Black is the stronger choice for evening.

What shoes go with a navy blazer?

Brown and black loafers, white sneakers, tan ankle boots and nude heels all work.

Should a navy blazer have gold buttons?

It depends on the look you want. Gold-tone buttons are classic and nautical; dark buttons are quieter and better for suits.

What is the best navy blazer for women?

For one jacket that does everything, a double-breasted navy blazer in wool such as the Blazé Milano Everyday Blazer in Resolute Navy, which fits true to size.

Keep reading

How to wear a double-breasted blazer. Every Blazé Milano blazer compared. Black blazers. Browse all designer blazers.