Dressing well in the summer for the office always involves some level of negotiating. Do I want to look put together and professional? Or do I want to melt in the heat? Wearing a third layer is an option, but it usually means accepting that my blazer will end up hanging on my arm before eleven in the morning. But just when it seemed like a white shirt was my best and only option, the short sleeve blazer has reentered the conversation.
While short-sleeve blazers technically never went away, they had a dated feel about them. But we’re starting to see them again on cool street style stars, paired with worn-out ballet flats and a satin skirt. That might not be the right combo for someone dressing for an air-conditioned office, but it does go to show how versatile the piece can be.
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Nordstrom
Ann Taylor
Amazon
Nordstrom
The funny thing is, the short-sleeved blazer didn’t come back all at evvel or from a specific fashion week runway. Rather, the trend began to appear quietly in the kind of looks one keeps screenshotting without realizing it. After years of the oversized blazer dominating everything, the short-sleeved version feels like a logical evolution: just as polished, but so much lighter and easier to wear.
They have that refined finish you want in a professional outfit, without all the thermal drama that normally comes with wearing a long-sleeve blazer in summer. And luckily, brands have been reinterpreting them in every possible way: cropped, double-breasted, with puff sleeves or waist-cinching belts.
There are so many kinds of short-sleeve blazers, but all have the same goal: to look elegant even when the heat doesn’t want to cooperate. Keep scrolling for styling tips on what short-sleeve blazer is best for you.
The Classic
The minimalist’s favorite: These are the summer version of your typical blazer. As such, they’ll also work well your favorite jeans, wide-leg pants, or even over a slip dress.
Open Edit Short-Sleeve Linen-Blend Blazer
Nordstrom
Zara Short-Sleeve Linen Blazer
Zara
The Cropped
Between the revival of quiet luxury style and the popularity of matching sets, short-sleeved cropped blazers were bound to be back in the trend cycle. Lighter and more feminine than a classic blazer, it looks exceptionally good with high-waisted pants, capris, and miniskirts.
Zara Short-Sleeve Cropped Blazer
Zara
Banana Republic Linen Short-Sleeve Blazer Top
Banana Republic
The Wrap
More polished and slightly more ladylike, double-breasted blazers and/or blazers with a side wrap or buttons have a cool eighties and nineties feel about them. Best of all? They look really chic with flat sandals.
Cider V-Neck Knotted Blazer Vest
Cider
Aligne Carrie Linen Blazer
Aligne
The Defined Waist
After several seasons full of completely straight or extremely wide silhouettes, marking the waist feels relevant again. As such, I’m especially excited to wear belted blazers and ones that are cinched at the waist. Wear it with a midiskirt for that classic Princess Diana vibe.
Ann Taylor Belted Greenwich Blazer
Ann Taylor
Eloquii Asym-Neckline Short-Sleeve Blazer
Nordstrom
Eloquii
The Puffed Sleeve
A romantic take on the trend that’s less corporate, more French It Girl. A puffed sleeve blazer is perfect for those who want something that feels closer to a blouse than a traditional blazer. It works really well with satin pants and ballet flats, but it’ll also dress up even the simplest pair of jeans.
Cicy Bell Cropped Tweed Blazer
Amazon
Zara Puff-Sleeve Blazer
Zara
The short sleeve blazer works because it fits with how we want to dress right now: smart, but comfortable; elegant, without looking too produced. It’s been an unexpected discovery for me as I plan out my closet for June, July, and August, which is why I don’t want to keep gatekeeping it for you any longer.
A version of this story was previously published in Glamour Spain.
