Off the Cuff posted about the Blue Blazer this morning. It is a great post – one worth reading (actually, the entire blog is great – give it a read). I thought I’d share my experience:
The blue blazer is the workhorse of my closet. I work in a ‘business casual’ environment, but it is very rare that I go to work without a sportcoat or a blazer. I have three blue blazers, and each of them serve a purpose.
1. Brooks Brothers 2-button blue blazer. This is the ‘standard’, the ‘classic’ – it goes with everything.
2. Hickey Freeman 2-button blue blazer. This is the most formal of the three. It is a very dark navy blue and has Roman coin buttons. This one has a slimmer fit, and looks black if I wear it with a white shirt (I usually wear a blue or pinstripe shirt).
3. Brooks Brothers vintage 3/2 sack. This is my favorite of the three. I found it at a second-hand store for $10. It fit like a glove, so I couldn’t pass it up. It’s very ‘American’ – soft shoulders, brass buttons, etc. I’ve worn this one with everything from charcoal flannels and shell loafers to jeans and boots.
I always keep my blazers on wooden hangers. It keeps the shape and doesn’t crease the shoulders. I’m not much of a ‘flashy’ pocket square guy, but I do have a couple that get used more frequently than others – a white linen square and a cream silk square.
For as long as I can remember I’ve owned a blue blazer – as a kid going to church, to high school dances, to pledging & Fraternity life, to graduation, adulthood, and professional life.
It’s probably worth spending a little extra money on a blue blazer – it will never go out of style, and will become a staple of your wardrobe.
Some of my favorites:
Brooks Brothers – the classic
J. Press – ‘the’ Sack
H. Stockton – good people
Ben Silver – don’t forget their blazer buttons, quite a selection…
Orvis – they offer a green option as well
Couldn't agree more. I found my blazers to be great when I travel, and I always tell the new associates around the office that it would be a wise investment for them.
No double breasted in the collection?
Great collection; and thanks for the nod. Excellent site and Southern class.
Best,
OTC
I only have one J.Crew blue blazer. Maybe I should step my blue blazer game up!
Great find with #3
Brian – great advice.
L.A.S – no DB yet. One day…
OTC – thank you very much for the kind words…come back and see us!
Skip – Nothing wrong with the J. Crew blazer. I've tried them on in the store, and like the fit.
It's funny how you can have three of pretty much the same thing but they will each have different roles. I have probably more blue blazers than I need, but I definitely only wear them for certain situations. Some are thicker wool and some are thin cotton or linen. I also have different types of khakis of different materials for different situations. I think a blue blazer plain or minimal patterning, a button up and khakis is one of the best and most versatile outfits there is!
The classic blue blazer: an indispensable wardrobe item. I've had every conceivable material, button configuration, tailoring. I wear them at least once per week and usually more. They are as versatile as anything in the closet.