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Affordable Men's Style

Style Debate: The Double Breasted Blazer

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J .Crew Ludlow Double Breasted Peak Lapel Blazer – $174.99 ($450)

This is a FINAL sale item.  You’ll need the code MUSTHAVE, which takes 30% off and gets you down to $174.99.  Which just so happens to be a penny under the $175 free shipping threshold.  Which is horse apples.

The Case Against The Double Breasted Blazer:  Wanna hear something ridiculous?  Some articles of clothing have presence.  Some have so much that they’ll wear you, instead of the reverse, even if it’s extremely well tailored.  Fedoras have presence.  That’s why they’re hard to wear.  Same goes for Double Breasted Blazers, although maybe not to the same extreme as Fedoras.  It’s not easy to pull one off without looking like you take dressing “well” way too seriously.  Y’know, your favorite hobby is strutting-around-town-taking-pictures-of-yourself-mugging-for-the-camera too seriously.  Or you think all day about how much “better” you look than all the other slobs on the street.  Only if they knew what you knew.  Right?  Right.  Presence.

The Case For The Double Breasted Blazer:  Easy with all the character assumptions.  You wear a double breasted overcoat or trench don’t you?  How come two rows of buttons are off limits outside the realm of outerwear?  Sure it helps if you’re over the age of 40, and a double breasted blazer is a serious garment.  But if you’re a serious guy, and you pick a serious, subdued color like navy or charcoal, then full speed ahead.

Your turn guys.  DB Blazer shown is Peak lapels and Ludlow fit, so that means it’ll be a little shorter in the tail.  Made with upgraded wool from the Italian brand Loro Piana.  Pickstitching.  Double vents in the rear.  Final sale.

Comments

  2. I assume this is actually a suit jacket and there are Ludlow pants to match, yes? In any case, I actually think this looks less serious than a well-tailored two-button (single-breasted) suit, because that’s what serious and powerful people all wear. If you’re going for a double-breasted blazer in 2012 (and you’re not a member of the royal family), you’re obviously doing it as a fashion statement, which is fine, but hardly serious.

  3. I could see myself wearing some dark jeans with white casual sealers (lacoste maybe) to tone down the seriousness.

  4. I’m too fat so the double breasted only makes me look more cylindrical. I don’t think it’s a trend with any legs, either. Two button single breasted will be here for ever and a day.

  6. They have their place. They key is knowing when and where its appropriate; and not just based on the dress code, but the way everyone else is dressed and feels as well. If dressing well is meant as respect to those around you, how is it respectful to make them feel like they are woefully unprepared for that environment?

  8. I love DB blazers and sportcoats. They just feel like armor and make you feel more powerful. Make others feel unprepared? I’m sorry, I can’t worry about your feelings of inadequacy. 

  9. Double breasted blazers always look odd on my because I’m so small. Would love to wear one, but I always end up looking like a Dick Tracy villain. 

  10. Not for me personally, but I get the appeal and I dig the look.  And if I ever did decide to go with a BD blazer it would not be from JCrew.  

  11. I do wear a DB overcoat and trench. But the DB jacket is just not me. Perhaps I could rationalize it, but from the gut I hear, “No you don’t.” 

  13. These style debates always remind me when Colbert would do point, counterpoint with himself.

  14. I like to avoid being prohibitive in my approach to fashion, but in this case I must put my foot down. Can’t do it and won’t do it.

  16. That is a pretty good price for Loro Piana fabric brand new. I’d jump on this right now if I could justify another recent purchase lol.

  17. Never been able to pull it off. Tried tons of styles, just can’t get past the single, sharp unbroken line the bottom of the jacket makes.

    I’d love to rock one, but nothing I’ve found works for my slight frame.

  18. Id buy it if they just had my size…42r. But id rather a suit… Actually been looking for an affordable one for some time … Slim… Help would be awesome

  19. I suppose if I could find one in a slim fit, I would give it a shot. It would have to be thrifted, though. I wouldn’t risk paying retail money on the look until I knew it worked for me.

  20. Unfortunately, I think that as with other things, the double-breasted blazer has been cast by pop culture to send a very specific message about the person. Namely, he tends to be a member of the snooty frat of priveleged sons of money, or those very men of money, often while sipping martinis at the club (the country club, not the “club”) or sailing their yacht. It’s just a very difficult thing to wear for the average man on the street.

    For me personally, it also just feels too staid and old-fashioned to be part of my regular wardrobe. More power to those who can pull it off with elan.

  22. If it’s part of a suit, I say DB all the way. It’s a subtle way to be unique although, I definitely prefer the 6 on 2 (as pictured) instead of the 6 on 1. Keep in mind also that double breasted is an older and a bit more formal style. It wasn’t until the mid 20th century that single-breasted jackets and plain-front pants became the norm (I believe due to conserving fabric during wartime).

    Anyways, I would only buy that DB if I had a good collection of the basics, i.e. single breasted, first.

  24. I’m not really a DB kind of guy. I think I would feel like a ship’s captain if I wore one. 

    I’m also not sure I have the right body type for it. I have a slim upper body, which is theoretically good for DBs, but I have a long-ish torso and short-ish legs, which aren’t so good. My concern is that my upper body would look like one big rectangle and my legs would look like stumps.

  26. Two words: Cary Grant. Yes I would wear a well tailored DB (also a Fedora though I prefer a porkpie (and it does help to be over 40)).

  27. Agree about better as a suit than a blazer. Also would look sharper in grey instead of such a dark color where you lose the buttons in a sea of fabric.

    As a thin guy, I would be a perfect candidate for a DB to give myself more substance, so I would like to find one these days. Haven’t worn a DB blazer with brass buttons since I was a kid!

  28. I feel like if you’ve gone as far as a double breasted blazer, you might as well go big with the gold buttons and everything. Or, of course, go home.

  30. My double breasted suit is one of my favorite pieces. I love that look. It stands out, people comment and compliment it. I like kicking things up a notch. I like standing out. Double breasted works for me. 

  31. To anyone who has said no, I would recommend giving a DB sportcoat a shot. I was in the “nope” camp too, but after trying some on at a thrift store I’m actually pretty impressed. Found an awesome summer suit that is 6 and 1. I think it’s going to mix it up just enough and (when paired with less conservative shirt/tie combos) has some serious potential. 

  33. Nice blazer…but it’s black. In navy maybe or grey, perhaps. But I’d rather not prepare in advance for the next funeral.

  34. As a thin 21 year old with long curly hair and a beard- I don’t see any situation where I could pull off the “seriousness” of a DB. maybe in a few years/decades

  36. They’re an awesome item to have in your closet. I’ve seen big/small men wear them and wear them right. It’s a matter if knowing how to wear it. It’s an essential in my eyes.

  37. I just saw a picture of a 20 something year old guy wearing with jeans and some driver shows. Looked awesome… The guy had style.

  38. I have two DBB. Both are from J Press. I wear it with all the intention and with the same effect as fa SBB. I even have a DB cardigan (lands end canvas I think) it great in sweater & shorts weather with a pair of brouges. I am no fan of the poseur Look that JCrew has descended into of late, that is what makes this blazer seem silly… It’s like Claire’s carrying stole brooches…

  40. I just got mine, and it’s off at the tailor (Needed quite a bit taken in at the waist). As my tailor said, it’s beautiful fabric. I have the single breasted suit already, so I can choose based on my mood. It’s a relatively reserved DB, the lapels aren’t huge. I’ll be dressing it down quite often; it looks great with dark jeans.

    If you go for this one, remember to grab a pair of socks, or whatever else, too. Free shipping starts at one cent more than the jacket.

  41. In answer to the original question, I don’t think there’s any way to wear one without looking stuck up. Well, wait a second. Unless it’s something like a slouchy corduroy jacket that looks sort of hippie-ish. Then it doesn’t look stuck up to me.

  42.  I want to qualify everything I said by adding that if someone gave that to me in my size, I would definitely wear it. I just have other things that are higher on the list for clothing.

  43.  AMEN. I’m in the camp of never wearing a black blazer or suit, except to a funeral.

  44. Got mine today. Fabric is more grayish than the darker image which helps dressing it down. I wouldn’t imagine paying full price for this especially since it’s made in China and requires further tailoring.