History of the Blazer (from uniform to timeless fashion icon)

Daphnee - September 19, 2025

Reading time: 2 to 3 minutes

The blazer is now a staple of both women's and men's fashion. However, its history dates back to the 19th century and originated in a context far removed from the catwalk.

Indeed, it was on board the HMS Blazer , a Royal Navy ship, that officers first adopted a double-breasted jacket decorated with gold buttons.

At the time, it was not a stylish garment but a military uniform, a symbol of authority and discipline.

This model was later adopted by the Oxford and Cambridge rowing clubs.

From then on, the blazer became a sign of belonging and prestige, combining sporty spirit and elegance.

Gradually, over the course of the 20th century, the blazer crossed the boundaries of the male wardrobe to become part of the female wardrobe.

Thus, in the 1920s and 1930s, figures like Marlene Dietrich and Gabrielle Chanel imposed it as a garment of emancipation.

Thanks to them, the blazer is no longer reserved for men: it embodies a new freedom and stylistic audacity that deliberately blurs the boundaries between feminine and masculine.

Furthermore, the 1980s marked a turning point. At this time, the blazer took on bold proportions: broad shoulders, straight cuts, thick materials.

It then became the emblem of the power suit . As a result, many working women adopted it to assert their place in a professional world still dominated by men.

The blazer is moving from “classic chic” to a modern symbol of authority . This is its turning point, where it definitively becomes an icon of style and empowerment.

Today, the history of the blazer continues to be written. Oversized or fitted, minimalist or colorful, in classic wool or sustainable materials like linen or eco-certified viscose, it now adapts to all styles.

Worn in the office, in the evening or with casual jeans, the women's blazer, like the men's blazer, can be reinvented according to desires and identities.

Thus, from a naval uniform to a universal fashion item, the blazer has crossed the ages without ever losing its symbolic power.

More than just a piece of clothing, it embodies the evolution of social codes, self-affirmation and today stands out as a true icon of sustainable and inclusive style.