It has spanned centuries of history, transforming from a military and sports uniform to symbol of elegance and versatility. Worn by men on Royal Navy ships, consecrated in cinema by Richard Gere in American Gigolo, and today a women's wardrobe must-haves. Let's talk about the blazera wildcard garment, capable of adapting to casual, formal and even sensual looks.
The blazer has been able to reinvent itself over time, going from being a sporty garment to an icon of style and femininity. Today it represents the perfect balance between rigour and elegance, between tradition and modernity, proving to be one of the most versatile garments in fashion. A garment that continues to dominate the catwalks and wardrobes of men and women all over the world. But how was the blazer born?
The origins of the blazer
The origin of the blazer is controversial. Two main theories tell the story of its birth. The first traces it back to the red blazer worn by Cambridge team rowers in the 19th century. These brightly coloured jackets served to distinguish teams. The second theory states that the blazer originated in 1837, when the captain of the ship HMS Blazer of the Royal Navy made his crew wear a blue double-breasted jacket with gold buttons to welcome Queen Victoria.
Regardless of its origin, the blazer soon lost its exclusively military connotation or sportswear, becoming a commonly used garment, declined in a wide range of colours and fabrics.
The rise of the blazer in men's fashion
In the 1970s, the blazer achieved unparalleled fame thanks to the film American Gigolo (1980). Giorgio Armani redefined male elegance by dressing Richard Gere in unstructured, soft-cut blazers. From that moment on, the blazer established itself as a symbol of refinement and sensualityabandoning the rigidity of the classic sartorial tradition.
The blazer enters the female wardrobe
Already in the early 1900s, with Coco Chanel, the blazer began to enter the world of women's fashion. However, it was in the 1960s that Yves Saint Laurent revolutionised clothing with his Le Smoking, bringing the blazer into women's wardrobes. In the 1980s, the power dressing made the wide-shouldered blazer a symbol of female emancipation, consolidating its popularity.
Today, the blazer is not just an office garment, but a key element of street style and informal elegance. Women wear it in a thousand variations: from the classic double-breasted blackto the oversize blazer, to the version blazer-dress, to be worn as a mini-dress.
How to wear a blazer today
Thanks to its versatility, the blazer is perfect for multiple occasions:
- Formal lookCombined with tailored trousers and a white shirt for timeless elegance.
- Casual lookover a pair of jeans and a t-shirt for a relaxed touch of class.
- Oversize blazerworn with a belt to mark the waist, or slung over the shoulders for a sophisticated allure.
- Blazer-dressworn alone with high heels for a bold and feminine outfit.
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