Blazers are well loved for their flattering shape and timeless style but you may not have realised just how flexible this simple jacket can be. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your blazer is too dressy for normal wear. Revitalise your blazer and ensure you're wearing it to its maximum potential by learning about five great ways to rock this basic piece.

The trend for men's cardigans remains strong and teaming a V-neck with your blazer instantly transforms a simple look into the layered style that's all the rage right now. Complete your outfit with a crew-neck t-shirt that will make sure you're not showing off too much chest and a pair of jeans in a relaxed fit. Combined, your clothes will have just the right flavour of laidback style and preppy smartness.

Teaming your blazer with a plaid shirt is another great way to give it a whole different look. To get this right, you need to make sure you choose a shirt that has a fitted cut and is of a fairly thin material. This will help it sit well under the blazer and keep you from looking as though you've got your layers wrong. Bright, bold plaids are great for ensuring your wardrobe has a fun, modern feel.

To really mix your styles, pair your blazer with some deeply distressed jeans. The combination of faded denim and smart blazer creates a great shabby chic style that's as suitable for a night at a bar as it is for a day chilling out with friends. This look might not be great for work, unless you have a very relaxed office policy, but it's perfect for making sure your blazer has a new lease of life.

When it's cold outside, your blazer can really come into its own as an extra layer to wear over your knitted jumper. Team it with everything from Fair Isle sweaters to cable knits for a super cosy and very hip way to get some extra wear out of your blazer. This is a gentlemanly way to deal with cold weather and, if your workplace or destination has good central heating, it's easy to take off a layer and chill out.

You don’t necessarily need to dress a blazer down to refresh your wardrobe. Many celebrities have started to see the charm is adapting their blazers for wear at black tie events and so can you. Simply pair your trusty blazer with some formal shoes, a pair of black trousers and a bow tie. A nice tweed with work just as well as a black blazer, so have fun mixing it up.

With a little bit of imagination, a simple mens blazer can be transformed into the perfect partner to a huge number of different outfits. Start experimenting and find some new looks for this wardrobe classic today.