Dappered Classics: The Post Blazer Purchase Checklist

I agree and adhere to rule no. 2, but a while ago I saw on some message board, the argument that Cary Grant used his front pockets in his movies all the time, and if he’s wrong, I don’t wanna be right.

The difference between Cary Grant and this example is that Cary Grant used to wear bespoke clothing which would have fully functional pockets without losing any of the form of a jacket. The rule only really applies for cheaper garments, and there are always exceptions at the lower end of the spectrum as well. 

FWIW, I’ve effectively machine-washed a couple blazers. One was cotton and one was a vintage camel hair that I got for $7… and don’t worry, I wasn’t a moron about it. I put them in mesh bags, washed them on delicate with just a towel to balance the machine, used a mild soap instead of detergent, reshaped them and hung them to dry. They both came out fine. I ironed the cotton blazer and steamed the camel to get the wrinkles out.

I’m not saying it’s something you should do with your nicest blazers, but it’s definitely something you can do in a pinch with a less-structured blazer. After all, dry-cleaning is effectively just machine-washing in a bigger machine with different detergent. Which reminds me – another item on the checklist: Don’t dryclean your blazers/sportcoats/suits. Unless you’ve actually got a big stain on them, have them steamed and pressed instead.

For many of us, any blazer is going to have to be brought in on the sides.  And if the tailoring costs as much as the blazer itself… so what?  I’d much rather wear a $50 blazer that fits awesome and looks pretty good than a blazer that costs 10x the amount that fits like a sack. 

And there are plenty of us who can’t spend 10x that amount anyway.

Very good list…
I only agree with #2 if it is a cheap blazer….utilities on a coat are meant to be utilized; if your blazer doesn’t maintain shape with use of pockets, then you have yourself an awful blazer…