The Going-Out Blazer: Would You Wear It In 2026?
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I'm going to maybe try a new series… would you still wear it? We've been covering workwear since 2008 and over the years there have been a lot of recognizable hits that people loved for a long time — blazers, dresses, blouses, boots, heels, etc. Readers sometimes debate them in the comments (there was JUST a debate yesterday about the Etsuko dress!)… but I thought a poll might be more interesting. First up: J.Crew's Going-Out Blazer. Would you still wear it in 2026? How are you styling it differently in 2026 than you were five years ago?
J.Crew's Going-Out Blazer: A History
As far as I remember, the Going-Out Blazer came on the scene somewhere around early 2018. (We included it in our roundup of jardigan dupes because readers were likening it to that, at least in terms of styling.) J.Crew just stopped selling it in the past six months or so, and hasn't (yet, at least) moved it to the J.Crew Factory store the way they did with their schoolboy blazers. (Another recent cut: they no longer sell the Resume Dress.)
It came out in a variety of fabrics and colors over the years, but was almost constantly available in J.Crew's main suiting fabric in black, gray, and white. Readers loved it because it was an easy third piece to throw on over dresses or jeans.
Is the Going-Out Blazer Dated?
This is a matter of opinion… hence the poll! I think it still looks sleek and sharp, and I can still see it looking great with fall's “indigo denim” trend, at least with bootcuts or flares. But as a lot of readers have mentioned, the question is often whether or not something is too closely associated with a certain time period.
Who Decides if Something's Dated?
I've often seen Black Halo's Jackie O dress held up as the prime example, since it definitely was wildly popular in the early 2010s or so. But here's the thing: they just came out with an updated version of it with a longer hem, and even today you can find the dress at a variety of retailers in different colors.
Clearly, there's still a market for it! Which raises the question: if a style still looks good to plenty of people — and they're still buying and wearing it — how dated can it really be?
For me, the line has usually been when the original retailer stops selling it… which doesn't bode particularly well for the Going-Out Blazer. So there's that.
Do I Have to Stop Wearing It?
Absolutely not… keep in mind that the poll may not be representative of your locale or your industry… if you love it and it looks great on you, go for it.
A classic IMHO but I never saw that many IRL since I am in a mostly business casual office. It’s perfectly proportioned for me and I get compliments around the office when wearing them still.
Similar, and I’m glad I have it in my closet. I should wear it more.
The poll doesn’t work for me. Yep, a classic that I still have and wear.
It’s such a classic blazer. I recently lost weight and needed a smaller size, but I was so disappointed to see J Crew stopped selling it! I bought their new standard blazer, and it’s fine but I really liked the stand collar with no buttons look of the Going Out style; the new blazer is just your standard cut that you could get in a million other stores.
I recently needed and got a smaller size on Poshmark–both of the Going Out and the Schoolboy. Worth a shot! I agree these are classic blazers and if they work for you as they do for me, well worth having.
Love this new series idea! I still have three (black, navy and red). I still wear them all but not as often as I once did, and as I turn 50 in five days, I am totally okay wearing them whether they are dated or not so long as they fit, are comfortable and look good to my eye.