How often have you walked into a showroom and asked the salesperson to show some ‘blazers’ when in fact, you were in need of “suit jackets”?
We assume the possibility of this situation has occurred many times, which made you click on this page. To understand the difference between a blazer and a suit jacket, read below.
Major Differences Between Blazer and Suit Jacket
What Exactly Is a Blazer?
The blazers appeared in 1825. The rowing club members in Cambridge were the first to wear these blazers. The blazers were basically jackets, but since they were red in color, they were called ‘Blazer.’
As the word ‘blaze’ depicted the bright red color of fabric, these jackets were named blazers. Afterward, every jacket, despite the color, was called a blazer.
The blazers have created their own identity. While creating the blazers, the tailors kept in mind that blazers could be worn with mismatched trousers.
Hence, blazers do not necessarily need any matching pants or trousers to ace the look. Thus, it is no surprise that the blazers have a casual approach.
What Exactly Is a Suit Jacket?
The word ‘Jaquette’ was first used in the late 14th century. The jaquette was longer than the jackets worn nowadays. They could reach the knees and included embroidery, paddings, or fur.
The resemblance to these jaquettes was first established through sports coats. These sports coats were designed to reach the hips and fit straight along with wide shoulders. They also included two pockets and a set of buttons.
A suit jacket is part of formal attire, consisting of trousers, a vest, and a jacket. In recent times, men can be seen matching these suit jackets with chinos, jeans, and trousers of different colors. Typically, the suit jackets are meant to be worn above matching-colored trousers.
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Differences between blazer and suit jacket
Key points of blazer:
- They were mostly worn by rowers first
- They are casual
- It can be worn in bright colors
- Mostly made from wool
- It can be worn with jeans or chinos
- Does not need to be paired with matching pants
Key points of suit jackets
- Used to be the less complex dressing style for Britishers
- They are very formal
- Usually comes in dark colors
- Mostly made from finer wool
- It cannot be worn with jeans
- It should be paired with matching pants
Parameters | Blazers | Suit jackets |
---|---|---|
Purpose | To keep it casual yet being formal | To keep it all formal |
Colors or shades | Bright and vibrant colors | Solid and dark shades |
Pairing with | You can wear mismatched jeans, chinos or trousers with them | You should wear them only with the same-colored trousers |
Fit | Loose fitting to accommodate multiple shirts | Tight and slender fit |
Fabric | Serge, cashmere, flannel, fresco, worsted wool | Cashmere, linen, silk, worsted wool, seersucker |
Type | 2- buttoned single-breasted, 3-buttoned single-breasted, 6- buttoned double-breasted | 2- buttoned single-breasted, 3-buttoned single-breasted, 6- buttoned double-breasted |
The Contrast Between Blazer And Suit Jacket
History
- Blazer- The blazers gained worldwide recognition once the British Navy approved them in 1837. In the beginning, they were double-breasted along with six buttons. The original color was navy. Only the rowers used to wear the single-breasted blazers. The two buttons presented in these blazers allowed the rowers to move freely.
- Suit jacket- The origin of suit jackets traces back to the 17th century. These jackets, which were produced by king Charles II were the simplified dress form of the British kingdom.
These suit jackets are preferred to be tight fitting as you don’t need to wear any dress shirt or sweater vest beneath it.
Style
- Blazer- These blazers are meant to serve the casual purpose of dressing up.
- Suit jacket- For dressing up in a more formal way, suit jackets are preferred.
Shoulders
- Blazer- The blazers are tailored along with shirt-shoulders, which is also called a camicia. The technique of tailoring a shirt is the same as well. After tailoring the blazer, the remaining or extra cloth is stitched underneath the shoulder. Because of showing the natural shape of your shoulders, these blazers have a softer look.
- Suit jacket- Italian suit jackets are handmade; hence they take time to get ready as they consist of details. Firstly, thin padding is inserted then another padding is added below it. So, the sleeve is basically attached to the jacket’s body. This is also called Rollino. While the remaining structure and shape of the suit jacket remain well defined, the shoulders are made to appear round.
Inside
- Blazers- Since the blazers are used in a less formal way, they are usually designed in an unlined and unpadded way. They do not have the lapels on the edges themselves. The lightness of these blazers allows one to dress them over multiple shirts.
- Suit jackets- These suit jackets maintain their softness and lightness by the method of interfacing. In this method, the hair canvas is extended to the bust from the shoulders.
This will keep the smooth lines of the jacket undisturbed. The high quality of any suit jacket is decided upon by the basis of interior lining and lapels’ tailoring.
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The tailoring of the shoulders of blazers differs in these techniques:
- Rollino
- Camicia
- Neapolitan
- Italian
- English
Fabric
Blazer- The common types of fabric used are as follows:
- Worsted wool- It is easy to find and used worldwide
- Serge- It can be identified as a rib pattern. This fabric has been used in the military uniform for a very long.
- Flannel- Flannels are soft weaves that are then weaved into twill. They are created from cotton or wool.
- Fresco- This exotic fabric is made from various yarns. The thinness of the fabric allows it to be suitable for the summer only.
- Cashmere- Even though its durability is short-lived, the luxury and softness make it a great option for your blazers.
Suit jackets- The fabrics used for making a suit jacket are of different types. These materials are often fine and light to wear. Some of them are listed below:
- Cashmerere- Its extreme softness and luxurious touch make it a coming-of-the-time fabric for the suit jacket. It’s not commonly used because of its high price.
- Worsted wool- It is produced by turning fibers into yarn. Worsted wool is a great protectant in winter because of its rough and thin woolen.
- Linen- This material is exclusively used in summer and spring. It is extremely light weighted which makes it prone to getting wrinkles quickly.
- Silk- This is obviously a very luxurious fabric. Pure silk makes a suit very breathable and cool.
- Seersucker- This is a form of cotton which is used in summer and springtime. The common colors in this fabric are blue and white.
Things You Can Pair It With
Blazer- The following can be paired with your blazers;
- Pants- Try your navy-blue blazer with gray flannel trousers. If you want less formal attire, pair your light-colored blazers with a pair of chinos. Jeans and a blazer are also a good combination to keep it subtle. However, if you are willing to take risks, bright-colored pants can help you to notch up your game.
- Footwear- Try to select your shoes on the basis of the formality of your trousers. For e.g., chinos will look good with a casual loafer.
Suit jackets- Try experimenting with your style with the following;
- Pants- The basic rule of this attire is that there should be a match between the pants and the jacket in the sense of material and color.
- Footwear- Try to wear only formal shoes while wearing a suit jacket. Experimenting much with this attire is not advised.
Fit
Blazer- They offer a considerably looser fit. They do not show a tighter or detailed shape at the shoulder.
Suit jacket- Since the structure of suit jackets does not allow you to wear multiple shirts beneath, their fit is slimmer.
Colors
- Blazer- If the event is clubbing or something fun, you should wear more bright shades of blazers. Common types of colors include blue, navy blue, red, maroon, and bottle green.
- Suit jackets- Since these jackets are mostly worn in formal events, your jacket should be of a solid dark color. Some of these shades include- Charcoal gray, black, navy blue, and brown.
Types
Blazer- Three types of blazers include:
- 2 buttons single-breasted- It is a very common type of blazers. To get the typical look, you can wear a navy-blue blazer
- 3 buttons single-breasted- They are perfect for tall men to achieve the desired fitting.
- 6 buttons double-breasted- It leans more toward the formal side of wear. They usually come with peaked lapels.
Suit jackets- There are three types of suit jackets:
- 2 buttons single-breasted- A structure is created through notched lapels and flapped pockets
- 3 buttons single-breasted- This not-so-common type of suit jacket are preferred by taller men as it provides a proper frame to their body.
- 6 buttons double-breasted- This is the most formal version of suit jackets. You can wear them for very special events.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Can I wear a suit jacket every day?
Yes, you can wear them every day. But repeating your pants would be quite difficult as the trousers of your attire may get wrinkled or fade too quickly.
Q2. What things should I keep in mind while wearing a suit jacket?
When you are sitting, always unbutton a few lower buttons as the tight fitting might make you uneasy.
The last button of your jacket should always be opened. As for the accessories, try to opt for a formal and heavy watch with a suit.
Q3. Should suit jackets be cleaned every day?
No, the jackets should not be dry-cleaned on a daily basis. As the material or fabric is quite fragile, try to avoid cleaning as much as you can.
Q4. Can I wear blazers with anything?
The versatility and casualness of these blazers allow them to pair up with anything. Be it jeans or pants or even chinos.
Q5. What is the basic purpose of wearing a blazer?
A blazer can give you a dressed-up look even when you are in no mood to wear a proper suit. It gives you a casual but business-friendly appearance.
Q6. Are blazers recommended for summer seasons?
Yes, blazers can be worn during summers as they come in different varieties of fabrics that allow your skin to breathe.
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