The humble blazer: a garment that’s slipped off the corporate coat rack and into the wardrobes of smart-casual types the UK over.
It’s the easiest way to smarten up a casual outfit, be it a floral dress on a park picnic or your usual jeans-and-a-tee workwear combo. It can be a secret sartorial weapon to throw over crumpled airport outfits or make a revealing top more family-friendly. A good blazer is a useful fashion essential to have and a key player in any capsule wardrobe.
Tailoring is involved, but if you’re not one for a glove-like fit (not particularly forgiving after lunch), the good news is that oversized blazers are one of the best ways to don the look.
In the same vein as the boyfriend jean cut, or wearing jumpers stolen from your boyfriend, the too-big blazer is about looking effortlessly chic and chaotically put together.
Traditionally plus-size wearers would have shied away from blazers; the boxy proportions don’t tend to do much for the soft, fuller figure - especially if you’re top-heavy.
Yet new designs are here, ones that celebrate curves while gently streamlining the figure too. With autumn making its slow but inevitable march into our daily outfit decisions, the blazer offers an excellent transitional weather solution too, hitting the sweet spot between coverage, warmth and style for this time of year.
Searching for decent plus-size options online can be a nightmare, so we’ve pulled together our list of the best designs to fall for now. Buy them now and wear until temperatures soar again.
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Ralph Lauren Bullion Jacquard Blazer
Sizes: 18 - 28
Available in black, white, tan and navy, this tailored blazer offers the clean, preppy style that Ralph Lauren is famous for. The collegiate look finishes at the hip with two front pockets to store the essentials. As well as gold-coloured embossed buttons, the brand’s swirly bullion patch sits over the left chest.
Buy now £259.00, Ralph Lauren
Monsoon Linen Blend Printed Single Breasted Blazer
Sizes: S - 2XL
Ready for summer and winter sun exploits, this linen blend blazer in sky blue and white is perfect for out-of-office jaunts. Fastening with a single button, the design looks as good done up or left open. Notched lapels and flap pockets ensure the silhouette remains smooth. Machine washable.
Buy now £110.00, M&S
Simply Be Black Faux Leather Blazer
Sizes: 10 - 32
For those who require a warmer casing than linen or corduroy can provide, faux leather is on hand to keep autumnal mists at bay. This easy-care look (it’s machine-washable) is a good option for the office as well as after-work gigs - just add a band tee and distressed jeans and you’re set.
Buy now £60.00, Simpy Be
Monsoon Cord Blazer suit jacket in green
Sizes: 8 - 24
Offering a retro Seventies aesthetic, this cord blazer comes with a matching set of trousers (£70) so you can turn it into a full-blown suit if you like. The forest green hue makes it perfect for the office or autumnal walks and falls to mid-thigh, offering extra coverage if you need it. Wear with a plain white tee or a printed blouse or team with a winter floral dress for added tailoring.
Buy now £100.00, Monsoon
River Island Plus Cream Boucle Blazer
Sizes: 18 - 28
Made famous by one Coco Chanel, the boucle blazer gets her groove back come autumn. River Island’s take includes lining that’s made from 100 per cent recycled materials - the eco-credentials doing nothing to dampen the look. Finished with notched lapels and gold-coloured buttons, this dry clean-only blazer promises to be your next wardrobe workhorse.
Buy now £65.00, River Island
Monsoon Edit velvet double-breasted blazer
Sizes: 8 - 24
Now here’s an investment piece that will see you through to New Year’s Eve parties - and beyond. Made in soft velvet, this beautiful fuchsia blazer has party time written all over it. A playful alternative to a cardi - which, let’s face it, would ruin the look of your ballgown - this double-breasted design looks as good on its own as it does with the matching trousers (£65, JD Williams).
Buy now £95.00, Monsoon
Karen Millen Plus Size Compact Stretch Tassel Sleeve Detail Blazer
Sizes: 18 - 24
Festival fringing, but make it office-appropriate. Karen Millen’s smart black jacket is nice enough for daily wear to meetings and the office, but with enough swinging swishy movement to keep on for after-work drinks. Made with recycled polyester, why not add a belt to cinch in the waist and add more shape?
Buy now £148.85, Karen Millen
