Parsing the Men’s Jacket: Blazers, Suit Jackets, and Sport Coats
When it comes to men’s jackets, there is a lot of misinformation and unfounded assumptions circling around in the ether. While most men have at least one of these jackets, the average Joe might not know which category his jacket actually falls into. To avoid making a sartorial blunder and showing up to an occasion wearing the inappropriate jacket, we’ve compiled this guide to parsing the distinctions between blazers, suit jackets, and sport coats. So study up, and soon you’ll be a veritable expert in your own right.
Sport Coats
Out of the three primary groups of men’s jackets, the sport coat is the least formal and has the most functional versatility. As one would assume from the name, the sport coat was originally worn for use during hunting, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. The materials were typically more varied than suit jackets and blazers, with favored choices being corduroy and tweed. According the Esquire, the sport coat is distinct from its brethren for certain elements, “it had pockets with flaps, often an extra flapped ticket pocket, and was of softer construction than a suit jacket. As a modern fashion item, it should still retain the somewhat rustic, earthy look of its forebear (even when made in cashmere).” Over time, the sport coat has evolved for use in semi-casual scenarios, but retains its sturdy fabrics and diverse selection of patterns and styles.
Blazers
Moving up a rung in formality to business casual, the blazer is similar in style to the sport coat but it is solid rather than patterned. While sport coats have evolved from outdoor land sports, the blazer is a descendant of naval and nautical attire. To this day, blazers remain popular in use for uniforms for schools, airlines, and of course rowing and boating groups. Traditionally, the blazer was worn with a button down shirt, often with a tie and slacks, but modern wearers have taken to pairing their blazers with jeans and tee shirts for a more dressed down appearance. Designers like VK Nagrani put their own unique spin on the traditional jacket, giving it a modern makeover. The brand exudes commitment to quality. The founder writes, “There are so few people who truly seek the exquisite; most are satisfied with the average.” Given their comfortable weight, blazers are a popular choice for men throughout the year.
Suit Jackets
Finally, the suit jacket is the most formal of the three and, as you can guess from the name, comes as part of a suit. The suit jacket is made from the material as the accompanying trousers, and in some cases, vest, so as to match and give off a cohesive appearance. While the suit jacket comes in a variety of different styles, like the American, Italian, and English variations, the jacket is typically cut in a slightly different manner from blazers and sport coats. While blazers feature patch pockets sewn directly onto the exterior of the jacket, suit jackets feature pockets that are either covered with a flap or jetted to keep their linear form. The buttons on a suit jacket are typically more subtle than those on a blazer. Blazer buttons are often brass in contrast to the navy fabric, while suit jackets are made with buttons of a similar color to the fabric. This allows the buttons to blend more naturally with the rest of the jacket and contribute to its streamlined appearance. There is a bit more decorum when it comes to wearing a suit jacket as well. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about how to handle the jacket buttons, men typically leave the bottom button undone at all times, while the top button should only be unbuttoned while one is seated.
Now you know the differences between a sport coat, a blazer, and a suit jacket. Time to go out into the world and spread your knowledge.
When it comes to men’s jackets, there is a lot of misinformation and unfounded assumptions circling around in the ether. While most men have at least one of these jackets, the average Joe might not know which category his jacket actually falls into. To avoid making a sartorial blunder and showing up to an occasion wearing the inappropriate jacket, we’ve compiled this guide to parsing the distinctions between blazers, suit jackets, and sport coats. So study up, and soon you’ll be a veritable expert in your own right.
Sport Coats
Out of the three primary groups of men’s jackets, the sport coat is the least formal and has the most functional versatility. As one would assume from the name, the sport coat was originally worn for use during hunting, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. The materials were typically more varied than suit jackets and blazers, with favored choices being corduroy and tweed. According the Esquire, the sport coat is distinct from its brethren for certain elements, “it had pockets with flaps, often an extra flapped ticket pocket, and was of softer construction than a suit jacket. As a modern fashion item, it should still retain the somewhat rustic, earthy look of its forebear (even when made in cashmere).” Over time, the sport coat has evolved for use in semi-casual scenarios, but retains its sturdy fabrics and diverse selection of patterns and styles.
Blazers
Moving up a rung in formality to business casual, the blazer is similar in style to the sport coat but it is solid rather than patterned. While sport coats have evolved from outdoor land sports, the blazer is a descendant of naval and nautical attire. To this day, blazers remain popular in use for uniforms for schools, airlines, and of course rowing and boating groups. Traditionally, the blazer was worn with a button down shirt, often with a tie and slacks, but modern wearers have taken to pairing their blazers with jeans and tee shirts for a more dressed down appearance. Designers like VK Nagrani put their own unique spin on the traditional jacket, giving it a modern makeover. The brand exudes commitment to quality. The founder writes, “There are so few people who truly seek the exquisite; most are satisfied with the average.” Given their comfortable weight, blazers are a popular choice for men throughout the year.
Suit Jackets
Finally, the suit jacket is the most formal of the three and, as you can guess from the name, comes as part of a suit. The suit jacket is made from the material as the accompanying trousers, and in some cases, vest, so as to match and give off a cohesive appearance. While the suit jacket comes in a variety of different styles, like the American, Italian, and English variations, the jacket is typically cut in a slightly different manner from blazers and sport coats. While blazers feature patch pockets sewn directly onto the exterior of the jacket, suit jackets feature pockets that are either covered with a flap or jetted to keep their linear form. The buttons on a suit jacket are typically more subtle than those on a blazer. Blazer buttons are often brass in contrast to the navy fabric, while suit jackets are made with buttons of a similar color to the fabric. This allows the buttons to blend more naturally with the rest of the jacket and contribute to its streamlined appearance. There is a bit more decorum when it comes to wearing a suit jacket as well. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about how to handle the jacket buttons, men typically leave the bottom button undone at all times, while the top button should only be unbuttoned while one is seated.
Now you know the differences between a sport coat, a blazer, and a suit jacket. Time to go out into the world and spread your knowledge.
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