Jacket Required: 12 warm-weather blazers to keep your look cool

There’s an easy way to dress up that tee or polo shirt, hide your sweat stains and battle blasts of arctic-like air conditioning this summer: Wear a lightweight blazer. A mainstay of men’s wardrobe for centuries, these suit jackets automatically add a bit of refinement to an outfit whether it’s shorts and a tee or a collared shirt and khakis.

Unstructured and casual blazers in summer-friendly fabrics such as cotton, linen or seersucker won’t make you feel restricted and will lend a welcome, wee dose of formality to relaxed spring and summer looks both in and out of the office.

Here, I’ve rounded up my Top 12 current favorites that range in price from $80 to $550 and in color from classic navy to a pastel pink for you more daring dudes. Don one of these dozen and you’re certain to look and feel a little more dapper during the dog days.

Buffalo Plaid Blazer by ALEX MILL, $295

Give your look a smidgen of 1980s inspiration with this half-lined blazer with classic large checks.

Double Face Blazer in Indigo by ALEX MILL, $295

Dyed with natural indigo, this is a go-to garment that can dress a look either up or down. It features horn buttons and the lapel can be closed for a more buttoned-up slightly military look.

Orta Denim Blazer by ALEX MILL, $345

Made with denim created by Orta, the famous Turkish fabric mill, this versatile and handsome jacket is inspired by Japanese workwear.

Heritage Patch Pocket Blazer by BANANA REPUBLIC, $298

Crafted from a cotton/linen blend, this trim-fit two-button jacket in a masculine grey begs to be paired with vintage-look or unwashed raw denim jeans.

Modern Slim Two-in-One Blazer by BANANA REPUBLIC, $250

The most versatile of the batch, this green polyester jacket has a hooded zip-out vest that can be worn separately or with the coat for an athlete-goes-to-the-office vibe.

Harris Wharf Blazer in Grey by CRAFT ATLANTIC, $525

Created by one of our favorite new menswear brands from New York, this unlined grey blazer in viscose is made in Italy and like all of Craft Atlantic’s merch, is ideal for travel thanks to its wrinkle-free packability.

Grey Stretch the Truth Blazer by DESCENDANT OF THIEVES, $289

This limited edition blazer in 100% cotton features lots of the hidden details that characterize this terrific label including a detachable extend collar tab that allows the piece to be worn with the collar up or down.

Light Blue Feather Weight Oxford Blazer by DESCENDANT OF THIEVES, $250

The back collar of this easy cotton jacket is white which adds a nice contrast when it is worn with the collar up. And depending on your taste, it looks just as good crisp and pressed as it does casually wrinkled.

Blue Hopsack Sportcoat by J. HILBURN, $550

The priciest of the lot, this jacket in a textured lightweight Italian wool is made-to-measure only but can be ordered online via a company stylist.

Vintage Pink Blazer by KINFOLK x LA PAZ, $250

A collaboration between the hip Brooklyn-based brand and store Kinfolk and the Portuguese men’s label La Paz, this pastel linen/cotton blazer also comes in light blue and white and has matching pants if you want the full suit look. Although it’s slightly inspired by “Miami Vice,” it’ll make you look modernly smart instead of like a cheesy ’80s TV cop.

Chambray Blazer by ORIGINAL PENGUIN, $225

This denim-colored lined linen/cotton one-button jacket with a single back vent looks great with its coordinating dress pants or, better yet, with your favorite pair of jeans.

Linen Cotton Jacket by UNIQLO, $79.90

It has been said that every man should own at least one navy blazer and this soft, prewashed linen/cotton one from the Japanese chain is an ideal one for throwing over everything from a dress shirt to a comfortable T-shirt.