Why is it that the older you get, the less time you seem to have to do, well, just about anything? I swear, in my twenties, I spent a good hour getting ready in the mornings, painting on my makeup with the precision of a master artist and pouring a considerable amount of effort into selecting the perfect shoe to match my handbag (which, yes, I’d change between days). Now, I’m all about simple solutions that make my life easier and don’t require more than a few minutes to complete. Like my beauty routine, which I’ve pared right back, I’ve also adopted new dressing habits—and I’m all about effortless combinations that look anything but. Pieces that you can throw together and know are going to look polished. My favourite such pairing? Blazers and jeans.
I’m under no illusion that this is a new look, not by a long stretch, but it serves me well. However, I have noticed that fashion people have thought up a fresh way to give this classic outfit partnership some 2022 flair. Instead of the tonal and neutral-hued blazers that have dominated the past few seasons, those in the know have begun wearing the tailoring staple in super-saturated shades. Bright colours dominated the runway, so it was only a matter of time before they begun infiltrating our wardrobes.
Between vibrant Kelly green and tangerine, all the way to the hottest of hot pinks, even those who have carved minimalist aesthetics for themselves have been swayed into trying at least one of these trending tones. And I might just join them, for they have found the perfect way to style them for day-to-day wear—yup, you guessed it, with jeans. The time for words is over—let the below selection of bright blazer-and-jeans outfits do the talking. Scroll on to see your new go-to outfit combination for 2022.
Style Notes: Why restrict your outfit to one bright piece? Here, Coco creates the coolest clash between her lime blazer and orange bag, which she then neutralises with classic blue denim.
Zara has some of the best bright blazers son the high street right now.
Ideal if you want to tap into the looser-jean trend, without feeling drowned in denim.
Style Notes: You needn’t, however, stick to blue jeans when you’re trying this look—white and ecrus style can actually make your bright blazer even more impactful, as you’ll see the further we get into this story.
The satin texture of this blazer means it hangs beautifully.
Barrel-leg jeans are going to be huge this summer.
Style Notes: Lilac mightn’t be the brightest blazer hue in this edit, but it’s certainly worth noting considering the shade is one of the biggest trends for spring/summer 2022.
Cropped blazers are, um, cropping up everywhere right now.
Keep your rips to one area on your jeans and they’ll look more polished than sporadic tears.
Style Notes: Orange tones are currently everywhere, and one of the easiest ways to inject it into your wardrobe is by way of an orange blazer. I love how B asthma has used hers to elevate her otherwise entirely cream ensemble. So chic.
This chic blazer comes in so many colours.
Such a great cut.
Style Notes: Pillars of colour was another trend we noted in our bumper report, which essentially means wearing one shade top-to-toe. A simple way to achieve this look? By wearing blue jeans with a sharp b blue blazer, of course.
If you’re into oversize blazer silhouettes, this one’s for you.
Keep your jean-leg tapered to place more emphasis on an oversize blazer.
Style Notes: Yellow tones always make a comeback come summer. If, like so many others, you’re planning on spending much of the season on home soil, I suggest channeling it by way of a blazer, which will b become your go-to piece on days where a cover-up is essential, but you still want to look and feel summery in the process.
The subtle jacquard texture on this blazer elevates it to no end.
Dark denim looks great set against punchy colours, as evidenced by Ellie above.
Style Notes: If you thought the other blazers in my edit were bright, just feast your eyes on this Jacquemus number. Make like Emili and pair it with traditional blue denim and white separates.
The blazer every fashion person has on their 2022 wish list.
Ripped hems are timeless, and I don’t understand how anyone could think otherwise.
Style Notes: As cool as pink is, depending on how you style it, sometimes it can look a little too saccharine. Counter this by wearing a bright pink blazer with some edgy ripped jeans and off-beat accessories.
No, that price isn’t a typo.
The rips on these jeans look so authentic and not in the least bit try-hard.
Style Notes: Pantone proclaimed periwinkle its colour of the year, so it’s no wonder that the shade is making an appearance in the outfits of Instagram’s boldest dressers. Here, Nina pairs hers with some cream jeans for a pretty and statement contrast.
This in no way looks high street.
A pair of affordable jeans our editors genuinely rate.
Next Up: The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week
