Best Blazers for Women Over 50 in 2024

Denim blazers. The combo of laid-back tough fabric and refined cut makes styles like the Gap Women Denim Blazer in Black Wash ($148, gap.com) a good choice for women ready to break out of a jeans jacket rut and go for an upgrade. Yes, double denim is stylish, but pair it with black tailored pants for a quick dress-up too.

Evening blazers. The combination of a practical shape and glitzy fabric is making “dressy” blazers the fastest way to glam up any black skirt, black pants or jeans. Look for a jacket style you love in a rich velvet like the relaxed notch-collar Lands’ End Women’s Drapey Velvet Blazer in Oxblood Red ($150, landsend.com) for a look that can go from a neighborhood party to a wedding.

Andrew Marc Women’s Roll Cuff Open Front Blazer in Black ($56, kohls.com) notch collar no buttons (Left and Right)

AARP (Kohl's, 2)

2. Know the signs of an overall good fit. ​

Blazer shopping is not a snap at 50. A jacket has to flatter an assortment of curves (and a few bulges) from the shoulders down. When shopping online, keep your figure in mind and remember that stylists worked to pin, tape and clip a jacket’s shape (on and off a model) and posed those models just the right way to amp up its appeal. (I have to confess I did that on many photo shoots!) Here’s what to look for when you do a try-on at-home or in-store. A blazer’s shoulders should match the length of your real shoulders and not extend beyond them even when boosted by some subtle padding — which is great for giving sloped or narrow shoulders more definition. (Hint: A dimpled upper sleeve is an indication that a padded shoulder is too exaggerated.) The upper arm of the blazer should not be tight or cinch your arms like sausage casings. Full-length sleeves should cover the wrist bone or go a little passed it. If the sleeves cover your hands halfway as they do on some models shown online, they’re too long; head to a tailor. If you wear stacks of bracelets daily, consider three-quarter sleeves like the Andrew Marc Women’s Roll Cuff Open Front Blazer in Black ($56, kohls.com) or pre-scrunched sleeves like the Scoop Women’s Scrunch Sleeve ScubaKnit Blazer in Amphora ($40, walmart.com) that make displaying your signature accessories easy. Finally, close the jacket and cross your arms in a self-hug. The jacket should not feel restrictive, pull across the back or gape between buttons. Never buy a jacket you can’t comfortably wear open and closed.

H&M Gathered Sleeve Jacket in Beige/ Herringbone-Patterned ($55, hm.com/en_us) button-free (Left) and Boden Marylebone Ponte Blazer in Hot Pepper ($180, bodenusa.com) (Right)

AARP (H&M, Boden)

3. Get strategic about buttons and closures.

No matter how much you love the look of any blazer or cropped jacket be sure the front actually accommodates and flatters your chest. While the right bra does help the fit of any indoor jacket (and the tops you wear under them), the number of buttons and where they sit on your body matters. Those with larger breasts often say a double-breasted blazer with traditional straight double rows of buttons looks too boxy and notch-collar styles never sit right. Others complain about gaping and pulling between the buttons. Relax: It’s not you, it’s the jacket. Basically, the more buttons a jacket has the more structured and fitted it will be. Tailors refer to the “stance” as the highest point where a jacket buttons. A lower stance is often a feature of boyfriend and relaxed styles since it provides a more casual and contemporary look. Here are the top bust-boosting jackets to look for now:

A relaxed blazer. This suits everyone even those with DD+ chests. Most are one-button styles like the A New Day Relaxed Fit Essential Blazer in Black ($38, target.com). That button should sit way below the bust and just enough above the waist to keep your breasts well enclosed by the V and the jacket smooth.

A shaped double-breasted blazer. Many busty women avoid going DB but styles that feature six buttons with graduated buttons that start out wider apart and gradually taper towards the waist — imagine a vase shape — are incredibly flattering. Styles like the Attitude Unknown Women’s Ponte Blazer in Navy or Black ($20, walmart.com) visually whittle the bust and torso while offering plenty of room for larger breasts along with controlled shaping … almost like a corset.

A ponte blazer. Curve friendly yet sturdy, ponte blazers have the kind of low-dose control you love in a good pair of ponte pants or leggings. Styles like the Boden Marylebone Ponte Blazer in Hot Pepper, Navy or Black ($135, bodenusa.com) glide over the bust and hold it securely in place.

A button-free jacket. No, not kidding. Sometimes an open-front jacket that skips the whole button issue is best. For those frustrated by a large bust and years of closure issues and anyone who prefers wearing a jacket open most of the time a style like the Talbot’s Luxe Ponte Blazer in Black ($209, talbots.com) totally makes the problem a nonissue.

Ann Taylor The Crosby Blazer in Twill in Perfect Camel ($139, anntaylor.com) (Left) and Gap Relaxed Plaid Blazer in Brown Plaid($148, gap.com) (Right)

AARP (Ann Taylor, Gap)

4. Pick a blazer that solves below-the-waist concerns.

It’s not all about the bust. The right blazer length and style can help camouflage a belly, flatter wide hips and heavy thighs and offer more coverage for your rear. You can manipulate any jacket’s body-enhancing effects with a little tact and optical illusions. Here are the most common problems and solutions:

If you want to keep a belly bulge to yourself. Look for straight but roomy jackets like the Gap Relaxed Plaid Blazer in Brown Plaid ($148, gap.com) that look great open or closed over untucked tops and shirts.

If you have a belly and a very full bust (what we used to call an “apple” shape). Count on a relaxed double-breasted blazer such as Ann Taylor’s Crosby Blazer in Twill in Perfect Camel ($118, anntaylor.com) that’s long enough to cover belly and rear. The combo of subtle shaping at the waist, the extra panel of coverage in the front and roomy fit, add up to a body-confident shape.

If you have allover curves and a hint of a waist. Use it to your advantage with nipped-waist jackets like the Good American Sculpted Scuba Blazer in Oxblood002 ($189, nordstrom.com) that fit and flare over generous hips and derriere.

If you’re wide on bottom, smaller on top. Look for cropped waist-length jackets like the H&M Women Textured-Weave Jacket in Cream or Black ($48, hm.com) that emphasize  the narrow horizontal at the waist and grab all the attention away from hips and thighs with buttons and pockets. Note: This style is also great for petite women and those with a short torso.

If you have a flat, saggy rear. Choose a shaped blazer that covers all completely like the Boston Proper Beyond Travel Classic Boyfriend Blazer in Camel, Maritime Navy, Jet Black or Pine Grove ($120, bostonproper.com).

Universal Thread Button-Front Jacket in Black($40, target.com) (Left) and Lands’ End Women’s Brushed Ponte Traditional Blazer in Black ($140, landsend.com) (Right)

AARP (Target, Land’s End)

5. Wear a new blazer in fresh ways for maximum style.

In addition to enhancing your figure, the next best thing a new blazer can do for you now is refresh and update your clothes … the ones hanging right now in your closet. Contrasting style is what turns clothes into fashion.

Here are four ways to work it:

Look more pulled together. Try pairing neutral-toned jackets with items and accessories in the same color family — cool or warm — for a more polished effect. You might wear a warm brown plaid blazer like the Allegra K Women’s Notched Lapel One Button Hip Length Houndstooth Blazer in Light Coffee ($45, walmart.com) with a camel turtleneck, chocolate faux leather pants and a brown suede bag.

Create a modern suit. Aim for a monochromatic look by matching (or nearly) any neutral blazer and pants. Not only are the textural differences OK, they personalize the look. You might try the Lands’ End Women’s Brushed Ponte Traditional Blazer in Black ($140, landsend.com) with a pair of black leather pants or black jeans. You don’t need tailored pants to make this suit work.

Elevate jeans and basics. Wear fancy cropped jackets like the Universal Thread Button-Front Jacket in Black ($40, target.com) over a sweater dress or flow-y midi or with jeans, turtleneck and low cap-toe slingback heels for a chic update.

Add a polished edge. Team a leather blazer or a cropped jacket like the White House Black Market Faux Leather Jacket in Windsor Wine or Black ($180, whitehouseblackmarket.com) with wide-leg jeans and loafers, a flow-y and pleated midi skirt or a cocktail dress for a festive evening out. You’ll look fashionable and feisty.

Anne Klein Women’s Sequin Crewneck Jacket in Anne Black ($200, macys.com) cropped at waist (Left), Ellos Velvet Belted Blazer in Deep Emerald($126, roamans.com) (Middle) and Roaman’s Statement Sequin Blazer in Black Filigree Embellishment($135, roamans.com) relaxed (Right)

AARP (Macy’s; Roaman’s, 2)

6. A statement blazer will save every what-to-wear situation.

You know what’s coming up? Holidays, neighborhood get-togethers, parties and plenty of unexpected last-minute invites. A fresh category of velvet blazers and jackets shimmering with sequins are making it easy to pull together a glam outfit in minutes. For years, fashion magazines talked about“tuxedo” blazers worn with pants as a chic look for a dressy event. Those jackets were in the so-called luxury range and way out of reach for most women’s budgets. That’s all over now as cushy velvets, sequins and metallics are turning up everywhere from J.C. Penney to Lands’ End and Old Navy. Look for styles like the Ellos Velvet Belted Blazer in Deep Emerald ($85, roamans.com), the Premier Amour Women’s Velvet Regular Fit Blazer in Black ($74, jcpenney.com) and the cropped at waist Anne Klein Women’s Sequin Crewneck Jacket in Anne Black ($200, macys.com). Throw them over everything and anything.