Product of the week: The double-breasted blazer

What is it:

A double-breasted jacket is a blazer, a coat or a jacket with two rows of buttons next to each other, which ensure that the two fronts can be closed overlapping at the front. A double-breasted blazer was traditionally used only in formal settings, but dress codes have relaxed in recent decades. Now the double-breasted blazer can play a role in casual wear, which is reflected in the increasing popularity of oversize fits and the casualization of classic silhouettes. And so we have come full circle, because in its early days, the blazer, which entered the fashion world via the British nobility in the late 19th century, was an extremely casual piece of clothing that was first and foremost worn in the world of sports.

Why you should order it:

The classic menswear blazer has been updated for a younger generation in the form of modernized tailoring, oversized fits, alternative materials, details and embellishments. They give it edge and a facelift. This update of the blazer allows it to be suitable for both formal occasions such as meetings or weddings, as well as more casual occasions. Blazers for women have long since become fashionable, adapting the classic piece of clothing for a new target group.

Where we saw it:

Etro shows several variants of the double-breasted blazer in different materials, from purple tartan to sage green, each with contrasting colored lapels that took on a pointed shape. Pastel tones have been popular with many fashion houses in general, particularly lilac, a hue that has graced the runways of Louis Vuitton and Gucci, with Gucci showcasing elongated blazer silhouettes. Dolce & Gabbana also turned away from traditional cuts and made its tailored double-breasted suits wearable for men and women by using dropped shoulders.

How to style it:

The double breasted blazer is easy to style when worn in a formal setting as it is often paired with the matching trousers. Underneath you wear a button-down shirt in a contrasting color and a tie – if the occasion allows, in a striking pattern. To make the look more casual, you can pair an oversized double-breasted blazer with roomy jeans—mom jeans for women, loose fit for men—and sneakers or boots to complete the outfit. Or simply wear it with dresses and skirts.

The double-breasted blazer is another garment in the long line of classics getting an update. The blazer, which has recently regained popularity, particularly with the revival of vintage looks, returns in a more casual form while maintaining its connection to occasion wear in a modernized form.

This article was previously published on FashionUnited.uk.