Blazers are often associated with rigid formality or elitism, traditionally worn by students of prestigious schools, exclusive gentlemen’s clubs, and British aristocrats. It’s a symbol of high-class education—Oxford and Cambridge university clubs wore it as uniforms, decorated with brass buttons and embroidered crests or badges. During the 1950s to ’60s, blazers began to appear on the streets as an act of rebellion initiated by the British Mod subcultures, which attempted to dismantle the social status tied to the outerwear. Later in the 1980s, blazers transitioned into becoming a significant part of the feminist movement—broad-shouldered blazers, widely known as the “power suit”, became an emblem used to call out male domination in the workplace and politics. This article of clothing, then, became a symbol of female empowerment.
Now, a blazer is no longer perceived as a sign of social status. Wearers turn up to their nine-to-five in blazers; Millennials became known for making “corporate clubwear” a norm in the late 2000s and early 2010s, and the streets—even on the weekends—are filled with blazers slung casually over a summery vacation dress. In 2026, the garment persists as a staple for its versatility, as shown by some of our favourite celebrities—in or out of the spotlight.
Formal Office Attire
Go big or go home because if we’re adding a blazer to our rotation, we’re clocking into work like a Japanese salaryman. Except, we’re also tipping the scales with bold and head-turning accessories: coloured and heavily patterned. On the occasion where formality is what we are looking for with our suits, Twice’s Jeongyeon and Momo added theirs with striped ties. The Stray Kids’ leader, on the other hand, keeps it fun with his yellow socks peeking through the formal outfit for a deliberate pop. More is more with Bang Chan, as he also adorned his look with a classic Fendi baguette, covered in fierce animal print.
Monochromatic Intensity
The easiest way to make a statement with your blazer is to stick to one colour. The most we can do to a monochromatic ensemble is add a pop of metallic colours with an accessory. BTS V and Janeyeh, for example, stunned in a vibrant red outfit, spicing it up with a subtle hint of colour with their jewellery. It’s simple yet eye-catching. Similarly, Fourth Nattawat looked suave in an all-grey suit—a polished and smart look that’s elevated with a pair of silver frames. Now, we all know how all-white can make us weak at the knees, and Stray Kids’ Seungmin’s head-to-toe pristine look did just that.
Oversized Statement
It’s no surprise that an oversized cut is a playful touch to shrug off the formality of this garment. The extended shoulder pads of an oversized blazer add structure to a look, especially when it’s paired with something as basic as a white tee like Chaewon from Le Sserafim or a classic black-on-black like Milk Pansa.
Also, remind us again how scrumptious the shirtless-underneath-an-oversized-blazer combination is—less is indeed more. If you’re blessed with a tall stature like Martin from Cortis, going shirtless with nothing but a blazer is a guaranteed scene stealer.
Dresses & Skirts
As mentioned, the garment is also an armour for confidence for female wearers, and that includes embracing our feminine side. As it sheds the masculinity association, pairing the well-structured piece with feminine elements is a harmonious contrast. While Twice’s Nayeon paired her well-tailored blazer with a soft white ribbed sweater, pleated skirt, and a headband, Sakura from Le Sserafim threw her black blazer over a grey dress, along with a dainty necklace, for a minimal and refined look. IU follows through with her striking red blazer and red dress as seen in the K-drama, Perfect Crown, where a pop of white is seen through her shoes and purse, commanding attention as she enters the hall. If a sleek look is what you are after, take a cue from Becky Armstrong. As always, the Thai actress got our eyes peeled with her all-black outfit—a black high-slit dress with a blazer draped on her shoulders, accessorised with sparkly jewellery. Talk about absolute sophistication.
Coming Undone
Yes, wearing a button-up under your blazer is prim and proper, but hear us out: keep those shirts unbuttoned.
Thai sweethearts PP Krit and Fourth proved that even with a blazer on, an unbuttoned white top underneath is a game-changer. PP Krit’s plunging neckline and the silken brown trousers, for instance, offset the rigidity of a long blazer, balancing between classy and sensual. With the undone elegance charting the trending list, keeping the buttons out of the picture gives a nonchalant approach to styling. At the Calvin Klein Fall 2026 show in New York, Blackpink’s Jennie’s unbuttoned striped shirt stole the spotlight along with her sand-toned suits, and the rectangular glasses give off a sexy “office-siren” look.
Casual Pants
This is a style that’s highly popular amongst the celebrities, for the best reasons. It’s the essence of transitional dressing. Think of a well-tailored or oversized blazer thrown over a simple pair of denim jeans. The contrast of sophisticated outerwear with a relaxed and errand-appropriate outfit underneath gives off the “off-duty model” look that spells effortless.
Twice’s Momo complements her blue jeans with a matching grey top and blazer, taking simplicity to another level, a perfect combo for those who are looking to nail the stealth wealth look. The devil then lies in the details, where accessories like jewellery, belts, or bags jazz up the look. We are taking notes from Stray Kids’ Changbin, who pairs his jeans with a beige blazer and cleverly matches the gold buttons on the blazer with gold jewellery—trust the rapper to pull off a poised look. On the other hand, Le Sserafim’s Kazuha brings a laidback athletic touch by putting her blazer over a sports bra and sweats, giving the otherwise rigid garment a sporty twist. And if you are planning for a summer getaway in a coastal town, linen blazers and denim—finished with sunglasses or a boat hat—are our take on a relaxed summer outfit.
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