How to Style a Sweater Blazer for Work (+ 25 Outfit Ideas)
I’ve sung the praises of the sweater blazer ever since I got my first sweater blazer from J.Crew back in summer 2018. It’s my most reached-for third piece for work, and if I had discovered sweater blazers in grad school, it would have been a workhorse then, too. I love that sweater blazers are slightly structured yet soft and easy to move in. They read less formal than your typical blazer, and that’s what I love about them because my workplace is more casual—and sartorial formality isn’t really my style anyway! Ha.
I first purchased the sweater blazer in heather grey. Since then, I’ve added two more colors to the collection: heather khaki and heather fern. Below, I shared how to style the sweater blazer for work (the office or WFH) as well as compiled all 25 outfits I’ve blogged so far featuring the sweater blazer for outfit inspiration. At the bottom of the post, you’ll find a couple of shopping widgets. Hit the heart next to your favorite items to receive a sale alert emailed directly to you!
How to Style the J.Crew Sweater Blazer for Work
In need of the perfect year-round third piece for your work wardrobe? Look no further than the versatile sweater blazer! It’s honesty my favorite in every season, even in the heat of summer because I don’t know about yours, but my office A/C is…way too much. Like maybe we should think about conserving energy and not cooling the building below 70 degrees in the summer too much. A sweater blazer is also the perfect companion for work from home because it’s so comfortable!
I typically stick to this outfit formula when styling sweater blazers: thin or slim top/tee (usually either cropped or tucked in), skinny jeans/pants, and whatever shoe happens to go with my activities and weather for the day (generally sandals in the summer, flats/boots/sandals in the spring and fall, flats/boots in the winter). It could not be easier to style a sweater blazer! Sometimes I also add a pendant necklace or perhaps a top with a v-neck. Stripes are also a sweater blazer’s BFF.
Do keep in mind textures when putting together outfits. The texture of the blazer itself can get “caught” on whatever other textures you’re wearing underneath (both tops and bottoms). It will glide more easily over smooth tops and bottoms. I’d also avoid anything that could potentially stain your sweater blazer on the inside, like a brand new pair of dark wash indigo or black jeans, especially if your blazer is light-colored.
As far as sizing goes, I followed the reviews and ordered a size down from my “usual”. Pre-pandemic, my usual J.Crew size was XS. I’ve found that in most tops, that remains my usual size, even after pandemic weight gain. All three of my sweater blazers are in size XXS, and even with my broad shoulders that usually are the reason why I’d need to size up, they’re not tight at all! They’re also not so tight in the arms that I can’t layer long sleeves underneath. Even light sweaters work.
I’m also short; my sweater blazers hit me just below my hips. Because of that, I tend to wear them with high-rise jeans and pants to lengthen my leg line, and I prefer wearing them with skinny jeans for balance. That said, I’ve worn mine with wide leg pants and voluminous midi skirts just as well! There’s no hard and fast rule about what you can and can’t wear with a somewhat oversized blazer. Wear what makes YOU feel comfortable and confident!
I rounded up all 25 of my past outfits featuring a sweater blazer below, and if you click on each photo you’ll be taken to the original post.
Are you a fan of sweater blazers? (If not, did I convince you how great they are?! 😉) Which sweater blazer outfit is your favorite? How would you style yours for work?
Looking for more ways to style a sweater blazer? Check out the Working Woman Style series posts by Anne of In Residence and Molly of Librarian Style!
Sweater Blazer Outfit Ideas
Heather Grey Sweater Blazer
As I mentioned above, the heather grey Sophie open front sweater blazer from J.Crew is my OG sweater blazer! The color is a great, light neutral with cool undertones. I typically pair my heather grey sweater blazer with white, black, other shades of grey, navy, and blue denim with accents of red and gold. I don’t like mixing grey and tan/brown together (anymore…I used to wear that combo a few years ago!) because I’m not a fan of the mismatch in undertones. I wear this blazer with short sleeves and long sleeves alike.
Heather Khaki Sweater Blazer
Since I loved my heather grey sweater blazer so much, I decided to add one in the opposite neutral (to me, at least). I purchased the heather khaki Sophie open front sweater blazer in fall 2018. This color is a little more versatile for me in terms of colors it goes well with: black, navy, cream, white, olive, burgundy, blue denim, and other shades of brown. I don’t typically like to wear this sweater blazer without a long-sleeve shirt or tee underneath for some much-needed contrast between my skin tone and the blazer.
Heather Fern Sweater Blazer
I really try not to buy multiples of items just because I enjoy the variety, but I couldn’t help but buy yet another color of the Sophie open front sweater blazer this past spring, this time in heather fern! It’s an absolutely stunning forest green color that I just can’t get enough of. Green has been one of my favorite colors to wear as of late! This is such a fun blazer to throw on top of simple, neutral outfits, and it’s equally as fun to wear with other bright colors, like red floral and chambray blue. Don’t underestimate the power of a fun color in your work wardrobe!
Shop the variety of sweater blazers available from J.Crew and Factory here, and in the widget below, I rounded up sweater blazers under $200 from other retailers. Hit the heart next to your favorite items to receive a sale alert emailed directly to you!
