Written by Brandi Titkos in Essentials on the 1st February 2022

Our style really packs a punch when we know the right pieces to wear, and how and when to wear them. We instantly signal to the world we know exactly what we’re doing in the style department and that speaks volumes. I want to point out a key item to have during the winter season: the classic wool blazer. Think of this as the butter to your bread aka the perfect complement to the colder climes.

"To complete your everyday look a wool blazer is essential for your wardrobe. Not only does it lift your outfit to the next level, but it is also a dressier replacement for a jacket. Over time, the fit of the blazer will get better due to the structure and material used," says Anna Keiser Lagesson from Tailor Store.

The blazer is the ultimate classic item and literally goes with everything you can imagine, from a formal to semi-casual aesthetic, and looks dapper on every single man out there. Keep in mind this isn’t the same as the typical blazer worn throughout the year – so before you put one one, be sure to consider a few things first such as fabric weight, patterns and the colours that are going to look best on you. 

“Everyman needs a wool blazer because of its versatility and sustainability. They can be dressed up with a shirt, trousers, or smart chinos, or worn casually with a piece of knitwear, jeans, and smart trainers. Get the right weight in wool and they can also be worn all year round. Currently, I think it’s important to look for clothing that has some sustainability credentials and to move away from the cheap throw away culture. Buy better quality, it may cost you more initially but in the long run you’ll save money and have a better-quality product to wear,” says Wes Souster from Souster & Hicks.

Let me explain a little more about the characteristics to look for. First and foremost, the weight in which you want your blazer to be is important. You’ll want to opt for a heavier wool fabric like a herringbone, which is a popular fabric used for men’s outerwear. Some pros of a herringbone blazer include: 

- Keeping you nice and warm. 

- The thickness, which ties in seamlessly with all your other winter-friendly items you’ll be wearing such as wool trousers, cardigans, and sweaters. 

- The close-knit weave in the herringbone is sturdy and adaptable for the harsher climates, allowing the water, snow, and hail to glide off the fabric much easier. 

Ok, now I’m going to get down to the bare bones of it all. Ready? So, in general you’ll want the weight of your wool blazer to be about 12 ounces, but you don’t want to exceed 20 ounces. For your standard blazer, stick with a fabric weight of 10 ounces maximum. You can always try out a variety of weights and decide the one that'll work best depending on how cold it gets where you are. If it’s generally warm, 6 ounces will serve you just fine. Just keep in mind that the heft of the fabric is key during the cooler seasons.

Another distinction in your winter blazers are the colours. Stick with something more along the lines of a deeper, gem-stone colour that'll work for your specific skin tone. To give you a better picture of what I mean, think of nature and the colours you see all around you. Everything from the fallen leaves to the evening sunset become richer and more pronounced — these are the type of colours you’re going to want for the season. Colours like mustard yellow, burnt orange, chocolate browns, merlot-red, and hunter green will compliment you phenomenally during this time of year. 

"When you need to smarter up an outfit; whether it be that a shirt and chino combination doesn’t quite look smart enough, a sports jacket is always a welcomed go-to piece that takes you from too laid-back to a perfectly balanced smart/casual look," says Alexandra Wood.

A safe bet, and what I like to dress my clients in is a nice tweed or herringbone style blazer in a medium grey. This is a universally flattering colour and can be worn with anything from jeans to trousers and a tie. And the last thing I want to cover for your winter blazers is the patterns. You’re going to be wearing heavier items overall, so prominent and weighty patterns will become your best friend. Things like herringbone, plaid and windowpane are lovely to wear and they also compliment the tonality of the season perfectly. Try them out with a pair of dark wash jeans or chino pants or do a mock suit look and wear your pattern blazer with a dressier trouser. 

"The wool blazer is an absolute must for every well dressed gentleman's wardrobe. A well made, classic, stylish blazer will become your ultimate go-to jacket. Stick with classic navy, single breasted, notch lapels and a classic waisted cut. If you want something that is a bit more versatile, look at looser weaves of wool, and if you want to go a bit more luxurious, add a wool/cashmere mix. If you want to change things up a bit, try adding patch pockets on the outside to give you something a little more more relaxed but ultimately classic. A classic blazer should be one of the first items you add to your wardrobe. It will be your friend for every occasion and will never let you down," says Tom Wharton from Barrington Ayre.

With quotes from Wes Souster and Anna Keiser Lagesson we take a look at why every man should have a wool blazer, suit jacket or sports coat in his wardrobe.