A Blazer for All Seasons

I was recently asked by a reader how many blazers I had in my rotation. I thought that this was a great question that deserved its own blog post. I used to think that I only needed one blue blazer. Those were the days. I currently have 3 blue blazers and I have noticed that I still have a few holes to fill. Let me give you a quick run-down.
1818 Blazer1818 Blazer and grey wool trousersThe first blazer up is my Madison fit Brooks Brothers 1818 3/2 sack blazer (pictured above). This blazer is my go-to-year-round blue blazer. It looks polished with grey flannels and at home with a pair of chinos. If I was going to recommend a first blazer it would be this one (or O’Connell’s worsted wool blazer). This is the type of blazer that is the cornerstone of a traditional business wardrobe. Also, this is the only blazer that I have purchased new and consequently it is the best fitting jacket that I have. There is a lesson in there.
Poplin Blazer 1Poplin BlazerNext, is my vintage Brooks Brothers wash-n-wear poplin blazer (above). This is a lightweight summer blazer with a relaxed look. Generally, you see wash-n-wear items sold as suits and similarly you will hear many people (mostly on clothing forums) advising you not to wear them as separates. This blazer helps to illustrate that it can be done. I love throwing this jacket on in the summer.
Deansgate Hopsack BlazerDeansgate Lapel RollMy newest blazer is a Deansgate blazer that was made for the Princeton University Store (above). This is another blazer made for warmer weather. Here it is not the material like the poplin blazer above that makes it suitable for warm weather, but the hopsack weave. Hopsack is a loose weave that allows for breathing. I actually had this blazer shortened about .5” (which deserves its own post). It is still a little big in the skirt area, but it has a fantastic lapel roll and drape to make up for it.
J.Press Flannel Blazer

The three blazers above make up my rotation, but as I mentioned I do see a few gaps that will need to be filled at some point. The next blazer that I would like to add to my wardrobe is a fall/winter weight doeskin or flannel blazer. Doeskin and flannel are very similar in weight, but doeskin has less nap which may give it a hair of an edge in terms of formality. Both J.Press (pictured above) and O’Connell’s offerings are high on my list.
Tropical Weight Blazer Although I already have two summer blazers I want another one. This blazer will be made from tropical weight wool. It is lighter than the hopsack blazer and more formal than my poplin blazer. Summer is a casual season, but business still happens and with this blazer you will be prepared. This one from J.Press looks great.

The blue blazer is one of the most iconic pieces of traditional American clothing. It is a workhorse. It can take you almost anywhere. If you are just starting out down this path I would start with a year round weight and add on from there, because as you can see the more you get the more you need.

oxford cloth button down
Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

9 Comments on "A Blazer for All Seasons"

  1. OldSchool says:

    Agreed.
    A tropical weight wool and a flannel blazer would make two excellent additions to your wardrobe.

  2. Lafcadio says:

    American males are, for the most part, so badly dressed that people will treat you like the Duke of Windsor if you wear any one of those blazers.

  3. Erik says:

    Good piece. I’ve realized that I need to expand my blazer wardrobe, as my closet is tweed heavy. I’ve been thinking about acquiring some new navy blazers and was even eyeing the same J. Press model.

    Great jackets and great taste!

  4. Fading Fast says:

    Very enjoyable and thoughtful piece. And this line, “I would start with a year round weight and add on from there, because as you can see the more you get the more you need”, could apply to almost every item in a wardrobe (shoes definitely beget more shoes) as one enjoys the first foray into something, he quickly sees how if he had a second one that was – a different color, or lighter or heavier, or more formal, or less formal, or longer or shorter, et al. – he could wear it in this or that weather, to this or that type of event or would fit better with this or that other item in his wardrobe. All is true – which is why your words have wisdom – finding some new item of clothing that you enjoy leads to wanted more version of that new item.

  5. Acton_Baby says:

    I love a blue blazer and their ubiquity as a wardrobe staple over the years means there are some vintage gems to be found, I’ve a Hardwick hopsack and a cashmere Brooks that both cost less than the postage to get them the UK.
    I can recommend the O’Connell’s heartily, a great cut and a decent price and
    for something a little more slouchy Keydge do a few different fabrics (but you’ll probably want to change the buttons for something a bit nicer).

  6. Philly Trad says:

    Navy blazers are a totally different sartorial experience: halfway between tweed jackets and business suits. They combine the semi-casualness of the one and the dignified appearance of the other.

  7. Gernot_Freiherr_von_Donnerbalken says:

    That’s quite a good collection, indeed. Having several of these “leathermen” of classical menswear definitely does the trick. They all look great on you.
    Thanks for this post and greetings over the Atlantic.

  8. Edward says:

    I own the doeskin J. Press blazer that you mentioned and have been very happy with it. I purchased it new and certainly paid dearly. Nonetheless, it has served me well. I also own the O’Connell’s worsted blazer, to which you provided a link (also purchased new). The buttons that came with it were less than impressive, so I replaced them with a set of Waterbury buttons.

  9. Hollywood Argyle says:

    It’s hard to have too many blazers. My current collection features both blazers (with metal or other un-suitlike buttons) and blue jackets (with buttons like those found on suits). I also have some blue jackets that are not navy, but I wear them like blazers.

    Off the top of my head, I have cashmere & flannel for cool weather; DB & SB worsted for year round; and for warm weather, lightweight mid-blue (black buttons), textured light blue linen blend (white buttons), navy linen (black buttons), and textured navy silk blend DB (smoke mother of pearl buttons). That’s eight.

    I’d take a hopsack if I found one for the right price, and I need to replace the SB worsted. If I found another great jacket, I’d add it to the collection, but I don’t really need any more.

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