Thursday, September 17, 2009

What to Wear With a Men's Blazer Jacket


The beauty of the men's blazer is that it goes with almost anything. For the purpose of this discourse, by blazer we mean a classic single-breasted navy wool coat with brass buttons. Over gray flannel slacks, a white button-down oxford shirt and a striped tie, it makes a classic outfit that in the United States registers just shy of a suit on the formality scale. On the weekend, the same blazer over chinos and a polo shirt makes a very smart casual outfit. In this article we will discuss some basic means of wearing a men's blazer jacket for work and leisure.

If you work in a business casual office, the blazer gives you a simple solution to the tricky problem of dressing respectably without appearing aloof. In a workplace dominated by polo shirts and khakis, the man who has the class to throw a blazer on over the ensemble looks distinctive without standing out. A dress shirt with a button-down collar and gray flannels are also worthy accompaniments for a blazer; add a tie to take it up a notch. A point collar shirt formalizes the ensemble a tad more, and here one should stop. Contrast collars really belong under a suit, and even if the formality of French cuffs were not an issue, having cuff-links next to brass sleeve buttons creates a discordant clash. For footwear, bluchers, loafers, and monk-strap dress shoes are all good options.

The outfits described above are also smart choices for dinner in a nice restaurant or a morning religious service. In fact, the blazer will serve you well for most weekend activities, from taking in a play in most American cities to cheering on a girls' softball team. It looks aristocratic and dignified over an ecru turtleneck and your trusty gray flannels; for a laid-back look in the summer wear it with off-white pants and a bright polo. While it is perfectly acceptable to wear a blazer with jeans, and indeed the combination can look very stylish, one must take care that pants and coat are not too close in color. This goes for any jacket and pants combination: if it's not a suit, it shouldn't look like one from a distance.

When it comes to dress shirts, as said above a button-down oxford is the classic. Besides solids, a broad variety of stripes and checks, including many that would look garish with a suit, mix well with a blazer. The latter's dark, solid fabric looks good next to just about anything, and the shiny buttons amply counterweight bold patterns. For a more casual look go with a long-sleeve polo shirt or a turtleneck depending on the climate. The urbane silk tee-shirt and tight-fitting knit shirt tend to clash in their modernity with the blazer's long heritage, and work better with a suit jacket.

In cooler weather, you way want to don a sweater under your blazer jacket. If you're going without a tie, a cable-knit or argyle crew-neck will add some life to the outfit. The V-neck worn over a tie may also be patterned or textured, but can be solid as well.

A few words on neckwear and accessories: the tie you wear with a blazer should be in keeping with its sporty dressiness. Woven silks in polka dots, bold stripes, and other simple patterns do this grandly, as do knits of silk or wool. The bowtie with white shirt and blue blazer looks sophisticated on the few men who know precisely how and when to wear it, but goofy on most everyone else. Beyond ties, any pocket square that harmonizes with the rest of the outfit adds a dash of style. For younger men, it will also ensure that a blazer and white shirt don't look like a prep school uniform. For belts, follow the old rule: match leather to leather, metal to metal. That means brown with brown shoes, although it can be a different shade of brown, and black with black. The buckle should be brass to coordinate with the buttons.

As you can see, the possibilities with a blazer really are endless. It is perhaps the best investment a man can make in his wardrobe, as it virtually doubles the choices he has each morning when getting dressed. It will serve nobly in a wide range of situations, and never go out of style.


Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?What-to-Wear-With-a-Mens-Blazer-Jacket&id=1279119

The Difference Between a Suit Jacket, a Sport Coat and a Blazer


If you have ever wanted to wear your suit jacket as a blazer, with a pair of khakis or jeans, then this is a question that surely you have asked. For the majority the correct answer is just plain and simply confusing. Many have chosen to interchange the three and basically called anything with a pattern, but worn with non matching pants, a sport coat and a solid colored version, again worn with non matching pants, a blazer. As prevalent as this practice is, it is not the definition of the three.

Suit jacket.

This is some thing to be worn with its matching trousers. For the most part the silhouette of the suit jacket flows down to its trousers so matching the jacket with other pants produces a weird look. If you have ever tried this and felt like the pants didn't look right-as is you didn't dress yourself-its not in your head, this is exactly what it looks like. A suit jacket will be constructed, it will have canvas interlining and shoulder padding. It is made to look tailored and dressy. The details will also be more on the formal side, with piped pockets (with or with out flaps) constructed lapels, lining and bone or corszo buttons.

Sport Coat

A sport coat is something that is worn for a more casual setting. At its purest form it was something worn to go hunting so this is why you usually see sport coats in heavier more patterned fabrics (this was the English early version of camouflage) A sport coat is made with a more relaxed look, usually it will have either a half canvas interlining, or no canvas at all. It will have extremely light padding to no padding on the shoulder and it will have a more functional fit. In today's world of custom tailors and tech fabrics, heavy tweeds and a big baggy fit are no longer necessary, unless you are actually going hunting. If you are only wearing the sport coat as a jacket, look for a more tailored fit similar to the suit jacket, its deconstructed look will give it a nice casual feel.

Blazers

If boats are your thing then the blazer is a piece of clothing that you are familiar with. Born from the British naval uniforms, a blazer is typically blue- though, much like the modern sport coat, where its a fashion statement rather than a functional piece of clothing- it doesn't always have to be the case. It will have a constructed feel, just like the suit jacket, full canvas interlining, shoulder pads etc. The main difference is that it will be made with details that are more casual, like patch pockets, contrasting buttons (gold or silver).

With all the options available, from off the rack to custom suits finding a brand or a tailor that is consistent with the design and shapes of his cuts can help expand the versatility of your wardrobe. This will more freely allow you to mix and match your clothing.

Chris Vance is the senior trends and fashion spotter for Requisite clothing, a custom clothing design house specializing in custom suits, custom shirts, custom tuxedos and sports wear for both men and women.


Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Difference-Between-a-Suit-Jacket,-a-Sport-Coat-and-a-Blazer&id=2503631
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