Unstructured jacket
I'm looking for recommendations for a casual, unstructured blazer.
I'm not necessarily looking for particular items, although that would be interesting, at, say <$500. I'm really more interested in advice on what to look for as far as colors, materials, sizing, fit, etc.
I'm looking for something I can wear with (raw, dark) jeans and a button-up shirt, maybe an OCBD. Maybe something I can dress up a bit (with chinos or a knit tie), but not sure.
I'm aware of this, which is on the casual end, but I'm hoping to try on next time I'm in Paris: https://www.vetra.fr/en/french-workwear-dungaree-mens-jackets/2555-workwear-organic-cotton-twill-blazer.html#/5-size-48/31-colour-navy
I also tried on a couple of blazers by Boglioli that I liked, but I'm not willing to spend $1500 right now.
I have a couple of tweed blazers (on the way or being altered, haven't been able to try them out yet) that might fit the bill, so I'm probably more interested in something lighter-weight: cotton, linen, seersucker, even silk.
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Also curious about sizes. For "normal" blazers, I wear a 40R or 41R, I think. 18" shoulder, 20-21" pit-to-pit, 31" long. Will any of that be different for an unlined jacket, for example because of sloping shoulders?
Blazer or sport coat?
Either? Both? What's the difference, anyway?
I guess I use those terms interchangeably
Sizing should be similar. Just the fit is more forgiving and less structured. It gives more leeway.
Check out Barena and Universal Works
Albam
Yeah, Universal Works has some interesting stuff. That's a good suggestion.
what size system is that
40R and 41R are US jacket sizes
I find the cut on UW jackets to be horrible. I bought an olive cotton one on sale like 2 or 3 years ago and have worn it maybe twice. It’s so bad
Spier will have some stuff tho likely not as unstructured since we’re moving into FW
It feels obvious, but have you looked at Engineered garments? i feel like a bedford/loiter jacket might fit what your looking for.
I have tried on the Bedford, and wasn't a fan. It felt like a weird combination of casual styling and fussy details.
Yeah, I may need to wait for next year.
I've seen some cotton jackets on eBay from Ralph Lauren that look interesting. They are not too common though
I don’t have blanket recommendations, but a few other options in a similar vein with the Vetra jacket are Portuguese Flannel, Uskees, and J Crew. At this end of the spectrum you’re basically looking for a chore jacket with a notch lapel. Was also going to recommend the Bedford but you’ve ruled that one out.
Yeah Engineered Garments doesn't just have the Bedford. Has a few other casual blazers models too
1. Blazers are a specific type of sport coat. Your most common is smooth worsted navy with gold/brass buttons, but you could generally say that any solid color plain weave no-pattern sport coat with metal buttons (or something that can pass as it) is a blazer. Navy is the most common, though other colors can work: most likely brown, olive, tan, sand, stone, ivory.
2. I am a big fan of an unstructured sport coat from spier&mackay. I have two. I also really like the one I have from brunello cucinelli but of course full-price for those is crazy expensive. Boglioli's jackets tend to end up selling for <$200 on ebay even when NWT.
I'll definitely check out the spier and MacKay coat when I'm in Toronto
From another thread, I learned the term "chino jacket", which seems to be what I want. Ralph Lauren makes them sometimes, and I intend to keep an eye on eBay.
those look cool