Is this the year of the cotton blazer?

J. Crew Factory Thompson Jacket in Cotton piqu© – $117.50 ($168)

Part of the 30% off new arrivals sale J. Crew Factory has going on.  No code necessary.  Expires today, 2/26/13.  Matching pants are available as well and are going for $68.50 w/ the promotion.  Retail price is $98.

BR came out of the spring gates first with their tailored fit Birdseye in the mid $200s.
Then J. Crew Factory released a couple of chino suit separates.
JC Penney got in on the act with not one, not two, but three* casual cotton blazers…
…plus a fourth if you count the smoother, barely peak lapel option from Claiborne.
Bonobos released one which quickly sold out and is now back in stock in some sizes.
J. Crew Factory followed up their chino duo with a corded cotton option…
And now, a fourth set of J. Crew Factory cotton suit separates have shown up on their site.  This time in pique.

Another option to, uh, “pique“ from.  Jacket – $117.50.  Pants – $68.50.

Thanks to Ken for pointing these out in a style tip, in which he asked: “Do you know the difference between this and the Navy Chino jacket?”  It’s going to come down to fabric feel and visual depth.  Chino is smooth.  Crisp even.  While this new option is also cotton, it’s woven in a Pique weave.  Like many a golf polo (or formal dress shirt), there will be a bit of a tiny waffle, basket, or other raised pattern created by the weave.  So there will most likely be some texture.

If chino were a pair of shoes, they’d be smooth leather.  Pique would be nubuck or suede.

Got a set on the way for an in person.  Looks like the regular J. Crew Line is doing a more expensive version too.

Thoughts on the sudden influx of options?  Do you think there’s some retail cannibalization going on?
*Meanwhile, still efforting an in person with the jcp cotton blazer.  Hasn’t showed up in all stores yet.