Shown above: Brooks Brothers’ Two-Button Classic 1818 Blazer – $598 (yep… not cheap)
The case FOR wearing blue jeans with a classic navy blazer: Denim isn’t reserved for panning for gold anymore. Make sure it’s nice and dark, free of distressing, and any wear marks (note to the Brooks Brothers model, them cuffs be frayed) and you should be fine. The jacket with jeans look is so common that its become a go-to uniform for some. Despite jeans not being allowed in most corporate work places, often times a guy in a jacket and dark jeans will look light-years better than a guy in a pair of dress pants, and bulky shirt, and a bad tie.
The case AGAINST wearing blue jeans with a classic navy blazer: It’s not because jackets and jeans can’t work (they absolutely can), this tandem doesn’t work because of how a classic navy blazer (with brass buttons) looks and acts. It’s similar to why most suit jackets don’t look quite right with jeans. There’s just too much formality contrast between the two pieces. Suit jackets usually are cut a little sharper, have more shoulder padding, and often look too smooth for jeans. On top of denim, the classic wool navy blazer with its gold or brass buttons looks forced. Carlton trying to loosen up forced. Instead, try a blue cotton blazer with it’s different fabric texture, soft shoulders, and darker buttons and you’re fine. Meanwhile, the classic blazer also has it’s origins in nautical wear. Jeans were made for land lubbers getting dirty. Some watch purists avoid putting an aviation style of watch on a dive style of band. Kinda the same thing here. Sure there can be exceptions, but The Brooks Brothers model at the top of the page is wearing an ultra-traditional version. He’s also wearing a tie. Fella looks like he just stepped out from behind a local news anchor desk. This is like wearing a t-shirt and baseball cap with flannel trousers. An exception worth noting: If you thrift an old Navy Blazer that’s got some obvious history to it visually? Wear away. It won’t look quite as smooth and pressed as something you’ve purchased yesterday.
A few rare navy wool blazers that might be able to be worn with jeans: This one from Calvin Klein with grey metal buttons, and despite it being a suit jacket, the J. Crew Factory Thompson can do well with jeans. Its texture helps.
I say wear away, but my only hesitation is that the contrast is low when wearing a navy wool blazer with dark denim. Punching it up with grey cords is what I’ve done, but I also don’t care.
As my style have developed. so has my notice for the details. A navy suit jacket/navy blue blazer w/brass buttons looks okay with jeans. However, a more textured navy wool or cotton looks great. Its one of those subtle things one can do that makes you look great vs. just good.
I’m not a fan. Colors are too similar. From a distance where someone can’t tell you’re wearing jeans, it looks like you’re wearing either a mismatched suit or a sport coat with trousers very similar in color.
Also, I’m all for mixing different levels of formality, but you still want it to be a narrow range. A brass button wool blazer, even paired with nice, dark jeans, is too wide a jump IMO, but others can make the leap.
I do it from time to time, but my buttons are silver, not brass. Actually, it looks exactly like the CK you linked, except mine is 100% wool. A casual cotton blazer would be better, but I still can’t find one in my size.
I think that is my main concern too. I tend to wear a grey blazer with blue jeans, or grey jeans with a blue blazer. I don’t own anything with brass buttons.
Texture is the main issue here. if your coat is super smooth worsted wool, it won’t work. If its rougher and more casual, go for it (and being a fan of clothes with some wear to them, I’d say wear jeans with some character to help draw some contrast. Not shredded up jeans, but not brand-new raws or whatever.)
I think a jacket can look fine with jeans. But I don’t think there is enough contrast in the color of the blazers and jeans. Too similar in most situations.
As for the two arguments above, the case against is far more convincing.
I don’t own a blazer with brass buttons. Or metal buttons of any sort. I probably never will either.
However, I definitely wear my chino navy blazer with lighter colored jeans or a nice gray tweed blazer with dark jeans all the time.
It’s fine.
what about the inverse – navy trousers with a denim jacket?
Against.
There are so many choices for casual sports jackets (cotton, cotton blend, corduroy, etc.) that pair much better with jeans than fine wool.
totally agree…texture is the key for the pairings total coherence
Any thoughts on whether this would work?
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=25210105
it’s w/e tbh but i overall find the look to b screaming “hey i’m 35 years old n trying 2 stay young! look how well i dress! #swag #menswear”
I wish I knew what all of this means.
It works with cowboy boots. True story.
That color is great for the fall. Urban Outfitters is kind of a gamble though. There’s been quite a gap between quality and cost in my experience. I eventually stopped shopping there altogether.
u kno the type: “omg if i dress swag like ppl off #menswear blogs i cn be young again n maybe even end up on the sartorialist for my street style!”
The problem as well is that the indigo in jeans and the navy in the jacket clash. They look similar but clearly don’t match. Not a good look. A tan cotton blazer matches formality and looks much better.
I wear a blazer that is not as formal looking as a suit and has silver metal buttons that also take it down a notch. I find this much more suitable for wearing with jeans.
can’t wait for a post on the best blazers under 200 😉
I see this a lot and don’t like it at all. Material and color is what differentiates between a strictly-with-suit blazer and a jack-of-all-trades blazer. Many, many middle aged men around my job wear their suit blazers with jeans and it looks terrible.
Are you also 35 years old but trying to stay young by the way you write?
nah bro
The pictures make this outfit look good and do-able. However, I definitely see the cons too. Just be smart about what/how you pair it with and it can definitely be pulled off!