| Blazer Versus Sportcoat - What's the Difference |
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| Blazer - A blazer is a solid colour jacket that is worn with contrasting (not matching) trousers, and can be distinguished by several features: |
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- Classic lines and silhouette – e.g. a 2-button, side vented, notch lapel model or double breasted, side vented peak lapel model.
- Distinctive details – “metal” buttons (gold, silver, brass, or enamel ) are usually used on your dressier blazer….should be worn more with a necktie and dress trousers.
- Textured solid fabrics – gabardine, serge, hopsack, diamond weave, or basket weave cloth that are characteristically not used as suit coat fabrics
- Classic solid colours – navy, black, camel/tan, tobacco, wine, loden/hunter green are most common.
- A navy or black blazer with contrasting horn buttons in brown is usually worn more casually than your metal button blazer. It looks great with jeans or khakis.
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| Sportcoat - A sportcoat is a patterned jacket that is also worn with contrasting (not matching) trousers, and is distinguished by these features: |
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- Classic or more contemporary lines – a 2 or 3 button notch lapel model that can have either a tailored silhouette or something more relaxed. A sportcoat is more likely to be worn without a necktie, and the 3 button model is more balanced when worn unbuttoned.
- Details like patch lower pockets and leather or horn buttons will distinguish the sportcoat from a blazer – and in some cases a storm tab under the collar and suede elbow patches can be added for a more “professorial” look.
- Sportcoats in general are more amenable to casual accompaniments like blue jeans and knit shirts, but can be dressed up with tailored shirts with double cuffs if so desired.
- Classic patterns are the hallmark of a great sportcoat – glen plaid, houndstooth, windowpane, checks (a Gun Club or District Check are distinctive), plaids, crowsfoot, barleycorn, herringbone – to name a few. The contrasting trouser is most easily selected by picking one of the colours in the pattern – hence most sportcoats have at least 2 different trouser coordinates.
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