The blazer, a must-have of women's office outfits

You can pair it with jeans, a skirt or elegant trousers, or amplify the casual and carefree cut of your outfit by teaming it with a pair of bermudas: the blazer is a must-have in the women's collection: not only a soft garment with a high level of comfort, but also an element with marked versatility with which you can play almost freely to create outfits that leave a mark. Among these, the blazer becomes the perfect protagonist of office looks, because being professional is important, but without ever forgetting freshness and comfort!

From menswear to the women's catwalk: history and characteristics of the blazer

Although today the blazer is an essential garment in women's wardrobes – thanks to its genderless nature – it was in the realm of menswear that it made its first appearance in the XIX century, among the rowing teams of Cambridge University, equipped with jackets of fiery red (blaze in English), or among members of the crew of the ship HMS Blazer, who wore double-breasted blue jackets to celebrate the visit of Queen Victoria to the vessel.

The revolutionary spirit of fashion did the rest, breaking down gender barriers. In the first half of the twentieth century – introduced into women's fashion by Coco Chanel as a garment for work and everyday life – the blazer became a symbol of a real cultural shift, worn by suffragettes alongside long skirts and political sashes, and paired for the first time with trousers in the 1930s.

It was, however, especially in the 1960s, thanks to the magnetic smoking version by Yves Saint Laurent, that women's blazers flourished, taking on a mannish cut that was not without elegance, until becoming a symbol of professionalism and power in the suits of the 1980s.

This versatility remains unchanged today, thanks to the adaptable and transformist spirit of this garment.

Are blazer and jacket the same thing?

A small clarification before moving on to the tips: although they may seem interchangeable, jacket and blazer are two different garments.

Whilst the former should traditionally be the protagonist of a pairing with trousers, forming a suit with or without a waistcoat, the blazer – single-breasted, double-breasted, with long sleeves or sleeveless – is independent of other garments, as well as less structured and with less rigid shoulders, which is why it is so beloved in casual chic or business casual fashion.

Creating a formal look with the elegant women's blazer

An icon to wear in everyday life, the blazer gives rise to its most interesting variations in office outfits, in which it can range between different levels of formality. The exception, however, is pure business formal, which requires coordinated skirt or trouser tailors, whilst the elegant blazer finds itself more at ease with professional, but not too formal looks.

Style and sobriety are the watchwords of an office look, to be achieved by carefully choosing fabrics. Go for the breathability of linen, linen mix or cotton and (the rule for the workplace is always the same) neutral and professional colours, such as black, charcoal, navy blue, light grey, dark grey, ice, beige, sand, brown or natural ecru. Patterns too should be as essential as possible, monochrome or with sober designs, chalkstripe (thin stripes, light on dark), sharkskin (woven light and dark yarns), micro-check (small squares) or houndstooth (small discrete geometric elements).

Do you want to catch the eye by displaying an old-fashioned style? You can play it safe with a women's elegant blazer in a double-breasted model characterised by a classic taste, but also by a more relaxed structure compared to a proper women's office jacket. The fashion rule that dictates wearing it done up allows you to keep things basic when creating the layer underneath, which can consist, for example, of a t-shirt or a vest, a light blouse or a crop top, which will be practically invisible under the jacket. This way you can keep the look fresh, without compromising its professionalism.

The single-breasted women's blazer tends instead to be slightly less formal and classic, worn buttoned for more professional occasions or unbuttoned for those where it is acceptable to appear more relaxed. In this latter case the lower layer is more visible, which is why it becomes a style element in its own right.

The leitmotif in this case too is sobriety, represented for example by light silk or poplin blouses, characterised by freshness and a soft fit, by basic t-shirts and sleeveless tops. Choose garments with slim volumes, so as not to create disharmonious thicknesses under this women's blazer, and play with contrasts between light and dark, so as to create a dynamic outfit.

For pairing with skirt or trousers you are spoilt for choice, especially if you love stylistic contrasts, which are very much in vogue in modern fashion. Among current trends stands out the long women's blazer, oversized model, with a soft structure and a hem that reaches almost mid-thigh. In this case you can create dynamism with tailored trousers in regular fit or slightly tapered, with single or double pleats, or with a fitted midi skirt, capable of giving the look an even more sophisticated appeal.

If instead you prefer slighter-fitting or flared women's blazer models, you can play with shapes and contrasts by pairing them with palazzo trousers, soft and elegant.

The choice of footwear is also fundamental to create a coordinated office look with the context. In this case, with a medium level of formality, the most suitable shoes are elegant loafers, in leather or suede, brogues with a mannish style, slingback sandals or court shoes with a medium heel, refined but restrained. Finally, do not forget the bag: a classic 24-hour briefcase if you like to amplify the serious and professional cut of your look, or a structured and sober tote bag if you prefer a refined touch.

Business casual to the power of ten: how to pair the women's blazer for a more carefree look

With the models presented so far it has been possible to create a moderately formal, professional but not overly rigid look. In many modern offices, however, the prevailing atmosphere is infused with creativity, carefree spirit and youthful energy, which allow employees to create even more modern and casual outfits.

As regards fabrics, the same rules illustrated in the previous section apply, whilst for colour choice you can venture with more vibrant shades, such as pastel tones or floral patterns, provided you do not overdo it with exuberance or extreme colour contrasts. Natural hues such as sand, beige and ecru remain the most popular, along with sage green, mint green, coral, dusty pink, dusty blue, petrol green, turquoise and ochre.

The use of single-breasted and double-breasted in this case offers the perfect opportunity to play with contrasts, pairing these blazers, for example, with informal garments such as soft chino trousers or regular cut jeans, thus amplifying the relaxed bearing of this look.

A step further in the casual direction, moreover, can be taken thanks to a great protagonist of the less cold seasons, a must-have if you want to mix elegance and ease: the sleeveless blazer. Similar to a vest, but characterised by the cut typical of a jacket – complete with lapels and shoulders – this model is also excellent for summer office looks, as it provides freshness, without sacrificing style and professionalism.

Particularly appealing is the double-breasted version, which maintains an elegant classic style, but with a pleasant youthful and modern contrast, whilst the sleeveless single-breasted is instead even more casual and soft.

Elements such as these can be easily paired with denim trousers, a regular fit chino or a classic trouser that is not too formal, and in summer – but let us not forget another equally charming fashion garment of this season: the bermuda shorts.

Choosing the right bermuda, with sober shades and the unmissable tailored cut, can make all the difference. Elegance should be sought in the detail: double pleats on the front, neat crease, turn-up, pockets with double topstitching and precise seams, to be worn simply or with a thin belt. Pair the garment with a women's single-breasted jacket, to create an office look that is creative and appealing, or with a double-breasted one, to create a contrast that will catch the eye!

Finally, do not forget accessories and shoes: depending on the trousers, you can have fun with trainers in a basic cut or loafers, even in glossy leather, to amplify the contrast between elegant and casual. Slingbacks, cage sandals, ballet flats or open court shoes with a medium heel are also allowed.

A cotton scarf will add volume and elegance to the look, whilst amongst bags the most popular are capacious tote bags, a crossbody bag or a modern office backpack with sufficient capacity to hold your laptop and accessories.