How should a blazer fit on a man?

Suitable for both formal and casual occasions, blazers are ideal garments for adding a hint of class to your outfit. When matched with a suitable shirt or top, pair of trousers and shoes, they can bring together the perfect look, and with a choice of colours, materials and designs available, blazers are now a flexible garment choice that can be worn for a multitude of events.   

You can style a blazer by matching it with the correct colours and items of clothing, but it’s unlikely that you’ll get the look you’re aiming for if it’s not the right size. As a baggy or overly tight blazer could be unflattering or uncomfortable, it’s important to ensure that you’re wearing a blazer that fits your body shape and feels right. In this blog, we look at how a blazer should fit and what you can do to get the best possible blazer size.

How should a blazer fit?

Although you may prefer your blazer to be longer for additional comfort or warmth, or fit tighter for a more tailored look, you may be interested to learn how a blazer is typically designed to fit. As these garments were traditionally tailored to the particular body shape of the wearer, each part must fit in a specific way.   

The traditional fitting for each section of a blazer is as follows:   

Collar -   

Resting on the back of your neck, the collar should naturally weave around your shirt collar.   

Shoulders -   

With the seams of the blazer sitting squarely, the shoulders shouldn’t feel too tight or too loose.   

Sleeves -   

Measured to not hang over your hands or rise up your arms, the sleeves should land somewhere between your wrist and your thumb.

Chest -   

When buttoned, the lapels of your blazer should only be loose enough to fit a tightened fist between the fabric and your chest, and they should be snug to your chest.   

Waist -   

Although sometimes hard to judge, your blazer should gently flow over your waist, with a sufficient gap to prevent a feeling of tightness but not so much space that it feels baggy and loose.  

How long should a blazer be?

In many instances, it’s possible to check that a blazer is the correct length based on your height using what’s known as ‘the cupping fingers method’. To do this, simply wear the blazer, stand up straight, hold your arms at the side of your body and cup the blazer from underneath. If the blazer fails to reach your fingers, it’s probably too short, whereas if there’s a lot of excess material rolling into your hand, it’s likely that it’s too long.   

You may decide to pick a blazer size that is longer or shorter than the standard fit out of personal preference. For example, more casual blazers could be shorter and tighter.

What is my blazer size?

If you want your blazer to be well fitted to the shape of your body, it would be advisable to measure yourself. Some blazers are sized in simple dimensions based on whether your chest is small, medium or large, for example, but even if you opt for this type of blazer, having the correct measurements will help to ensure a perfect fit.

How do you measure for a blazer?

Measuring for a blazer is a relatively easy process. All you need is a measuring tape and help from someone who can measure your body and take down the measurements. For accurate results, the dimensions of your chest, shoulders and arms must be correct, and each of these areas must be measured in a specific way.   

Measurements you need to make include:   

Chest - measure around your chest under your arms, pulling up to your armpits 

Shoulders - measure from shoulder to shoulder across the width of your back 

Arms - measure from the top of your shoulder to your wrist, basing the length on your own preference of how long you want your blazer sleeves to be 

Upper body length - measure from your collar to your waist, again basing this measurement on your own personal preference in terms of blazer length

How to measure your chest for a blazer?

Although we’ve already briefly touched on measuring your chest for a blazer, it’s important that this measurement is accurate as it will be the basis of how your blazer fits. If you opt for a blazer that is sized with a number and a letter, this will be an indication of your chest size and your height. For example, a 44 L blazer would be best suited to someone who is tall with a 44 inch chest.   

When you take your chest measurement, you need to make sure that the measuring tape is as far up your chest as possible, sitting under your armpits, and is not too tight or too loose around your body. If it’s too low and ends up being closer to a reading of your stomach area, it won’t be accurate and your blazer won’t fit as comfortably as it should.