Women's Blazer Series - Buttons and Stance - Modern Elegance (2024)

The number of women’s blazer buttons can vary drastically, from none to more than eight. This directly influences the stance of the blazer, which, in turn, affects the fit, formality, period and style.

The stance of a blazer is where the highest button lands on the chest. High stances create a look similar to what was in fashion in the 40s, which can easily look quite military and outdated. A very low stance – as seen with only one button – allows more space for large-busted ladies, and they generally appear more modern and fashionable, but also less formal. Low to medium stance blazers suit most body-types and women.

No Button Blazers

What no-button blazers lose in formality, they gain in style. These types of blazers are especially common with a cropped blazer, although longer blazers can also have this feature (find out more about cropped blazers here). Blazers that are designed to be worn open are generally much easier to fit since you don’t have to worry about the waist and bust fitting so perfectly. When a blazer is closed, slight imperfections in the fit result in creases and wrinkles, magnifying these tailoring and fit discrepancies. The no-button blazer also allows for a greater variety in styles and cut for the blazer, such as a cropped jacket, bolero style or more formal like a fitted business-blazer (as shown above). If they are well fitted, blazers (especially longer, traditional length) with no buttons have a very slimming effect on the wearer, since the silhouette is manipulated by the shape of the jacket. There is no strict etiquette for whether women’s blazer buttons should be worn closed, so there is flexibility to pair a no-button blazer with trousers or skirts for less formal events.

Single buttons

Nowadays, single-button blazers are amongst the most common style, even though it is very difficult to find one that fits well. When tailoring a blazer with a single button, the slimmest part must be at the waist (usually a couple of centimetres above the navel), which means the button must be perfectly placed. Depending on the length of your torso, it can be very difficult to find a one-button blazer where the waist tailoring is in keeping with your body.

That being said, if fitted well, single-button blazers are the most flattering and versatile of blazer types. This is because a single-buttoned blazer can be paired with a variety of blazer lengths (read about different blazer lengths here) and they can create a very strong hourglass illusion by drawing in the waist, while still being formal enough for business occasions. Due to only having a single button, the stance of this blazer is very low, which can create a slimming effect. However, larger ladies with bigger busts might want to steer clear of this style, since the low stance emphasises the wideness of the chest.

Originally, women’s blazers were structured to create a more “masculine” body shape, during the 40s when there was an increase in women working in male-dominated fields. Due to this, the classic blazer had at least two buttons, sometimes more, to achieve a straighter figure. A single-buttoned style is considered less formal than the traditional style but is becoming increasingly accepted in business and corporate scenarios. For extra formality, a single buttoned blazer should be worn closed at all times except when seated.

Blazer (Phase Eight), Red Top (Bravissimo), Jeans (any will do!), Shoes (Gabor), Watch (Skagen)

Two buttons

Considered the most classic, formal and flattering blazer, the two buttons work with almost all blazer styles that are not cropped. Generally, this style works best for longer blazers that hit below the hip, although if the buttons are small or set close-together, shorter jackets may also have two buttons. Most formal female trouser-suits are accompanied with a two-buttoned blazer since this style is considered the most formal blazer type for women.

Two-button jackets are frequently easier to fit than single-button since the presence of two buttons can prevent pulling or creasing around the button. Having both buttons closed increases the formality, however, the lower one can be skipped if it results in the blazer fitting the figure better. The lower button should never be closed without the upper button. If both buttons are closed, a smoother and more structured effect is achieved.

This style has a slightly higher stance than single buttons, so it loses some of the elongation and waist-cinching effect that a single or no button blazer effortlessly achieves. That being said, the two-button blazer flatters women with larger busts exceptionally well, since it slightly reduces the visual wideness in the chest area, and is more likely to lay flat over the chest.

Three buttons

The three-button blazer was very popular in the 1940s when women first began wearing blazer commercially. This style is heavily inspired by the blazer’s origin in outdoor sports wear such as rowing and horseback riding, which frequently results in an old-fashioned or ageing appearance. Due to the association with sports-wear, three-button blazers are sometimes considered less formal than two-button blazers. That being said, tall and slim ladies with long legs can still look modern and sophisticated with this style, since the illusion of length in the upper body balances out the lower body.

A blazer with three buttons will naturally have a higher stance than those with fewer buttons unless it is a longer blazer which extends past the hip. If the buttons are small and close together, a three-button blazer can have a similar effect to a two-button blazer, so it is important to consider this style on a case-by-case basis.

When closing the jacket, the middle button should always be closed, and the top two or all three is also considered correct etiquette for women. For short-bodied ladies, the jacket usually fits better and flatters the figure when the lowest button is left unbuttoned. Depending on your proportions, buttoning all three buttons emphasises a long torso, but also draws attention to your waist, so apple-shaped or short ladies might want to stay away from this style.

Double-Breasted Blazer (Hobbs), Top (Find Similar Here), Jeggings (M&S), Heels (Clarks)

TypesOf Buttons

Traditionally, buttons on garments were made with natural materials such as gold plated metals, glass, seashells or pearls, and were sometimes intricately decorated. Nowadays, most women’s blazer buttons are made of either plastic (colour to match or compliment the blazer) or metal, although on some occasions other traditional materials may be used on bespoke or personalised garments. Decorated or engraved buttons easily appear outdated and old fashioned, so if a modern look is desired, these should be avoided. Formal blazers as part of a dressuit, for occasions such as weddings, may have one individually decorated button, but this should match with all jewellery and other accessories. Plain metal buttons are increasingly popular nowadays, and can definitely add a modern flair, but these should only be used with caution since bright metals (such as yellow gold) can look cheap even easily. Brushed or matted metals are much better for this purpose. Bright coloured buttons, or shapes such as triangles or stars should be avoided if elegance and sophistication is desired.

Navy Blazer (Hobbs), White Blouse (Find Similar Here), Trousers (M&S),White Handbag (Comma)

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