6 Cool Ways to Wear A Blazer

Although you might find yourself spending more on clothing this fall than you did last year, given that we’re not completely in the clear when it comes to the recession, you’ll still want to consider your purchases carefully. Here we take a staple that every guy has in his wardrobe -- a navy (or dark colored) two-button blazer -- and show you how you can wear it with six of fall's hottest trends. We’ve ordered our suggestions from most conservative to most experimental and there are price points to suit every budget. As you’ll see, all it takes to update your wardrobe for the season ahead is one or two new, of-the-moment pieces and a bit of shopping in your own closet.

With a deep V-neck cardigan

Layer up the smart and stylish way for fall 2009 by slipping a crew neck T-shirt, followed by a deep V-neck cardigan, under your blazer. The T-shirt will act as a second skin, ensuring you stay warm, while also preventing your chest from being over-exposed to colleagues and friends. The cardigan will keep you feeling cozy and give your ensemble a classic -- but up-to-date -- look thanks to its elongated V-neck.

With a plaid shirt

Keep your outfit decidedly modern, however, by selecting a plaid shirt with a contemporary fit and vivid, unexpected colors like this one from Ben Sherman. With a mix of light-gray and dark blue checks set against an electric blue background, this piece will really pop against a traditional navy blazer. This fall, substitute it in for your usual white button down whenever you can (and when appropriate, of course).

With a chunky patterned knit

From Fair Isle sweaters to cable knits, chunky pullovers are big players in the style stakes this fall. NSF’s rayon, lambs' wool, nylon, cashmere, and angora-blend sweater features a retro-cool shawl collar and tone-on-tone cabling and ribbing detailing that’s distinct enough to be intriguing without being in-your-face. With a blazer on top, you’ll appear gentlemanly yet on-trend and totally office-appropriate, especially if the heating in your building seems like it was installed during the steam-power era. Beware that this sweater runs slightly small, so size up if you typically need a lot of arm and shoulder room.

With heavily distressed denim

With the re-launch of their denim line, Gap has refined and re-designed their jeans to ensure the most flattering fit possible, incorporating everything loyal customers love about their products and leaving the rest out. This straight leg version is exactly like your favorite pair of everyday jeans, but with some strategic distressing and ripping, they’re perfect for fall 2009. Although you might not be able to get away with wearing these to work, teaming them with a blazer for nights out this season will make you appear fun and youthful, yet still respectable.

With cargo pants

Shielding themselves against tough times, urban warriors marched confidently down the runways this fall. Try out the trend yourself with military - influenced apparel, like these combat pants from G-Star. Combined with a button-down or a T-shirt, your trusty blazer and some canvas sneakers, you’ll exude eclectic cool. While you don’t want to dress head-to-toe in military garb, you’ll earn serious bonus points in the style department by adding a scarf and then swapping your sneakers for some combat boots once temperatures drop.

With combat boots

Masculine and rugged, combat boots are the must-have footwear to complement fall’s urban warrior trend. Worn with a blazer and jeans (or cargo pants), combat boots will look seriously edgy and aggressively stylish.

6 Cool Ways to Wear A Blazer