For years I believed brown was defeatists choice when it came to blazers. The sad forfeit trophy next to navy and black, that you choose when the shop has been inadequate. Turns out I was wrong – and I want you to know that I am saying that unashamedly because brown deserves an apology from me for being avoided for almost ten years.
The real gamechanger for me was trying one on over awhite shirt in a fitting room with the grimiest lighting, the kind where everything looks like muddybrown but refusing to look bad in there is the real test for a brown blazer. If it can look good in that, it can look good in office lighting, on a train platform and under the afternoon wedding marquee when the sun is doing weird things to everyone’s face.
Look for something with some structure across the shoulder so it doesn’t slump when you sit down, and try to get a shade that has an actual warmth to it rather than looking like it was unintentionally dyed with coffee.
I wore mine with a plain white shirt and my colleague Priya looked at me and said “that’s doing more work than your entire outfit did last Tuesday.” Bless her but it hurt a little because I spent fortyfive minutes on Tuesday’s outfit.
Beyond that, it’s honestly as simple as it looks. Brown is friends with cream, white, black, olive, and god yes, more denim washes than navy will ever be able to claim. Throw it over a simple top with some jeans and you’re lookin effortless but puttogether, or throw it over a slip dress for an evening look that wants to say you made an effort but not enough that you stressed about it. It also loves gold jewellery. Wear silver with it if you want, people can’t tell you not to.
In terms of when, this is your go to blazer for anything you want to look competent but not courtroom-ready. Interviews, work dinners, that Sunday roast where everyone’s dressing up but you don’t want to wear a suitsuit. It’s your friend. I will fight people who say otherwise.
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