How to wear your navy blazer without looking corporate

Many of us have a navy blazer from our corporate years. It’s probably very good quality and maybe even warm but we just cannot see ourselves wearing it now that we no longer work in an office.

I was just the other day regretting moving on a navy pin-striped Brooks Brothers blazer I bought in San Francisco. The matching skirt no longer fitted but I should have kept the blazer as it was so well cut and beautifully made. Sadly I don’t have a photo of it. But you can learn from my mistake.

 

me wearing navy blazers during my corporate years:

 

There are plenty of different ways you can wear a navy blazer outside of the office without looking like you’re all dressed to work in an office.

Read on for just a few ideas.

option 1.

Blue jeans are a natural pairing with a navy blazer. If your jeans are a deep denim to match or blend with the blazer, all the better. The two items together will look streamlined and cohesive. To get away from that really corporate look, you could wear a funky pair of boots and a graphic t-shirt underneath.


option 2.

Your navy blazer could work really well with a slip dress. If you like an alluring look, a silky slip dress could look very sexy under a blazer. Meanwhile, the blazer adds some warmth, and if you don’t want to show your arms, it solves that issue as well. To make the outfit look more contemporary and less corporate, Fold the sleeves up to around elbow length.

Depending on the occasion you can pair this outfit with a pair of runners or some ankle boots or some flat sandals. Other options could be longer boots or brogues and socks (yes, socks!).

If your dress has a v-neckline, a chain or two with a pendant or charm on it will look great as it will sit within the V and work with the lapels of the blazer.


option 3.

Wide legged trousers are very easy to wear and can either look casual or more elevated depending on how you style them. A navy blazer will work here well here but I suggest you don’t wear a navy blazer over lighter pants as you could look top-heavy. However, if light pants is your only option, wear some navy shoes or perhaps a deep chocolate brown so that you have a deeper colour beneath the light trousers to ground the look.

If you’re going for a dark chocolate brown colour, this will work very easily if you have deep brown hair because the colour is already within the outfit. If you do not have deep brown hair grab some other deep chocolate accessories to tie the colour into your outfit.

Because you will be wearing wide legged trousers and a navy blazer which is also relatively voluminous, where a tank top or other slim fitting t-shirt with this outfit. This way you won’t look swamped by too much fabric.


option 4.

A blazer and skirt combination can look really good without looking corporate. Try a straight skirt that has some added interest and ends around the knee or longer. Wear this with a t-shirt, or a fine knit. Flat chunky footwear would be perfect with his outfit. You could choose from boots, brogues or runners and a cross body bag will be ideal here. And don’t forget to roll those sleeves up to give a carefree casual impression.


option 5.

Lastly, your navy blazer worn with a thick pair of leggings or slimline pants tucked into tall boots could work really well. We haven’t seen a lot of pants being tucked into tall boots recently, but I did it the other day and it felt really good. I have always liked that androgynous equestrian look.

Just make sure you’re not wearing active wear leggings! A solid deep colour with no print or visible logo will be best, to avoid looking like you’ve just come from the gym; rather you’ve matched your blazer and boots to the leggings. Done well, this outfit will look more elevated rather than casual.


It can be difficult to reimagine clothes that we’ve only ever worn in one context. It’s one of the things I most enjoy helping people with when I do a wardrobe consultation. But if your pieces are good quality, fit you well and you like them, there’s no reason they can’t have a life beyond corporate; just as you can!

 

things to wear with a navy blazer that won’t look corporate:

  • jeans

  • chunky boots

  • slip dress

  • skirts with added interest

  • graphic t-shirts

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