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Affordable Men's Style

The Style Rookie – His First Navy Blazer

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Christian Davis is a 24-year-old Los Angeles based writer who up until now has focused mainly on writing about video games.  Really.  He recently began wanting to dress better, and he’ll be cataloging his process for us here on Dappered.  He might be new, but he’s learning quick.

In my opinion, everyone man should venture into menswear for a little bit. Before I got started developing my own sense of style, I was impressed with how well-dressed men used their clothes to broadcast a little bit of their personality to the world. That’s sort of what style is right? An extension of who you are as a person and your personality that you literally wear on your sleeves. I also think dressing better is a form of self respect. But despite all that, I personally still needed another bit of motivation to really get me going down the path of appreciating menswear…

How about a job!*

Yep.  A new job at a place where people dress nice.  Before I landed my new job, I had worked at video game companies which only required me to dress casually.  I’ve also worked at stores like Rite Aid which force you to wear beige slacks and a dark blue shirt. An office job required me to do the business casual thing: slacks, collared shirt, and a tie. That was a cool experience for me. Though it wasn’t required, wearing a tie everyday made me feel dapper as hell since I’d worn one an estimated total of five times in my life. It didn’t take long to realize that the generic office attire bored me to tears and I needed to do something else to boost my attire. Even my bosses wore the same thing as everyone else and I was tired of seeing the same shirt tie combo that you could purchase for $15 at Ross. I needed to change things up a bit and stand out. This was the perfect opportunity to do so, and I was off.

First Navy Blazer IndoorsBlazer – H&M.  Check Pants – Topman.  Shirt: – jcp Stafford.  Belt – Calvin Klein.
Shoes – Target.  Tie – Givenchy

Early on in my quest for sartorial knowledge, I learned quickly that a navy blazer is a staple that every man should have in his wardrobe for a multitude of reasons. No exceptions. With that new bit of information, and the fact that I was 23 years old and never owned a blazer, going for a navy blazer was an obvious first purchase.

I headed to H&M which is always my first go to store for more stylish clothing.  I’m on a pretty tight budget, it’s affordable, has some great variety, and I feel it’s a nice starting point for someone who wants to begin upgrading their wardrobe despite some of their quality flaws (which someone new won’t really notice anyways).

After walking into H&M, I went to the blazers immediately only to see a barren wasteland of deserted hooks. Just about everything was picked clean.  Damn.  Maybe this wasn’t going to be so easy.  Since I was already there I decided to browse around.  While looking around I found the last navy blazer they had tucked away under some jeans. Someone was clearly trying to hide it for themselves later….bastard. I tried this thing on and it was never more apparent that this article of clothing was meant for me. It fit perfectly ( discovered my size was 36R) and it was even on sale (not including the 15% off discount I had).

It was a good day.

I’ve had this blazer around five months now and it’s definitely one of the best things I’ve ever purchased. I wear it all the time, it’s so versatile that it’s always on the list of options for what to wear that day, and it’s just a solid buy all around.

The Good

The contour of the blazer is extremely nice right off the rack and the only bit I had to modify was the length of the sleeves (a bit too long like most of H&M’s products). I paid $49.99 ($10.00 off due to a sale) and also had a 15% off discount for signing up for their newsletter. Why yes H&M, I’ll definitely take advantage of all your sales and promotions at the same time.

It’s 100% cotton. So that’s good news for people who live in hotter areas since cotton generally doesn’t retain heat. I’m not saying you can wear it during the hottest summer in Las Vegas, but I found I could wear this when the temperature reaches the high seventies or low eighties (yes, it’s reached that high in LA already).  The lining is 100% polyester, so that doesn’t breathe the best.

The shoulder padding is also very minimal giving you a natural look.  It doesn’t appear as if the suit is wearing you or you’re smuggling football pads. The shoulders also don’t rise too high when trying to shake someones hand for example, keeping it’s shape.  This also has a notch lapel, the waist is pretty fitted, and there’s even a hole on the lapel for an accessory such as a lapel flower.   I’ve found that what they say about navy being versatile is absolutely true, and it goes with almost everything in my wardrobe.

HandM Blazer lapel

The Bad

It’s not a classic wool blazer, but I live in Los Angeles where its warm the majority of the year.  Meanwhile, in a past life, this blazer must have been best friends with two annoying friends named “hair” and “lint.” Definitely keep a lint roll handy when you’ve got this thing on. Keep it in your car, backpack, office drawer, or one in all three because hair and lint hang around like the two drunk guys who don’t realize when the party’s over. The blazer also doesn’t have too much extra fabric either, so getting this tailored isn’t really an option unfortunately.

Now there’s the availability of the product. H&M seems to move products through pretty quickly, so it might be long gone from your local store (H&M is going to offer e-commerce later this year)  I found something similar on their site for $69.99 and it’s primarily made out of synthetic material (7% wool, 60% polyester, 33% viscose).  I think I’d pass on that.  But there’s also a new linen version for summer with a second ticket pocket.

The Verdict

This Navy H&M Blazer is perfect for not only those just starting to improve the value of their closet, but also for the sartorially inclined who simply want a cheap alternative. It’s benefited me in every way possible. I’ve broken the mold of the generic office attire, I finally own a blazer that I’m in love with, it was an extremely affordable investment, and all the women in the office notice and love it.

Why the hell would I pass that up?

*I was already looking to work here, I didn’t choose a job just to dress better everyday. That would be silly.

Editor’s Note:  Any feedback for Christian?  What was your first blazer?  Do you think his pick of a cotton blazer over a wool blazer was the right move?  Leave it all in the comments below…

Comments

  1. Welcome my friend, hope you have found a nice home here. It’s great you are taking an interest in your wardrobe (and ultimately who you are as a man) at such a young age. Keep experimenting and growing, there’s no time like the present. If you ever want to chat about blogging/writing/fashion etc, please feel free to reach out here or via my blog http://www.sigtweedandcorduroy.com

    -S&C

  2. Good article, but I would personally recommend avoiding cotton or synthetic blends in the future. Wool breathes, cotton doesn’t. Besides dress shirts, undergarments and dress socks, I try to avoid cotton like the plague.

  3. I am going to have to respectfully disagree, I think a cotton blazer is pretty essential and versatile. It’s light and comfortable plus it can be worn with everything from jeans to nicer pants. While I wouldn’t pair it with wool pants I think it goes with pretty much everything else.

  5. I appreciate this article very much (and perhaps even more so, the dressing on a budget and $1,500 Wardrobe articles that this one linked me to) because I’m in precisely the same position. Thanks Christian!

  6. This could be a pretty interesting series. I will definitely be looking forward to more of these. I feel your pain with the hot weather, I live in Florida. I’ve got to wear cotton in the summer.

  7. Joe, how about a “hierarchy of blazers” post? start with the Kensington and work upwards by increasing style and price…

  9. H&M tends to be poo-poo’d by Dappered readers, but I have a few of their blazers and Easy Iron slim-fit shirts. Are they Hickey Freeman? Of course not, you can feel the difference as soon as you touch the garments. But for stylish, fitted clothing, H&M has some nice offerings.

    Oh, and welcome aboard, Christian!

  10. My first blazer was from H&M, navy, and I love it. 2nd was a khaki Kensington from Target. Then the grey JCP blazer recommended here. And lastly a navy Kensington from Target. Blazers are great. Will be collecting for life.

  12. Not to detract any from your article, but I’m pretty sure Tavi Gevinson’s kind of got dibs on the “style rookie” fasion blog thing..

  13. Christian, great article! I have to say, the timing of this piece and your own personality are slightly creepy. I’m also 24, a writer by nature, and recently purchased my first blazer, you guessed it…a navy one. If you’re in my head, welcome.

  16. Those links don’t tell the whole story, especially the table in the first one.

    The reason people say cotton breathes well is because most people only wear thin cotton shirts and suits. Any fabric that’s thin enough might feel like it breathes nicely, but start layering on cotton pieces and it becomes very uncomfortable. Not only does it not breathe as well as wool and performance synthetics, but it’s hydrophilic, so it absorbs moisture and HOLDS IT. Sweat soaks easily into cotton and takes forever to dry out, and when cotton is soaked, it doesn’t breathe. That’s why you never see experienced hikers or backpackers wearing anything made from cotton unless it’s a light covering layer to keep the sun off the skin, like a safari jacket, and even then it’s not the best fabric for it, just the cheapest.

    In comparison, a well made wool garment not only breathes better than cotton and is almost as good as synthetics at wicking away moisture, but it can actually change its insulation characteristics in reaction to your body heat so that as you get warmer, it breathes more to cool you down.

    Cotton’s just a poor performance fabric all around. Its main (some would say only) benefit is its tactile comfort for the price. Of course, since pretty much every modern building is climate controlled anyway, thermal regulation and sweat absorption are pretty meaningless characteristics to most people, so the only selling point they pay attention to is tactile comfort for a given price.

  17. Cool article…dude looks great, although maybe the shirt is a little loud.

  18. All things the same (weave, size/weight of the threads/yarn), I agree that wool breathes more than cotton. It’s also more hygienic due to not absorbing as much moisture/sweat as cotton. It’s also more of a pain to clean and more expensive than comparable cotton fabric. 🙂

    I think we can all agree on: “In general, cotton breathes, but wool breathes more. And polyester blends wrap around your body and choke it like an anaconda.”

  19. Great article! I’m also currently “adulting” my wardrobe. I have purchased a blazer with elbow pad/patches on it. I love it and get tons of compliments, however it doesn’t seem to go with everything. May have to give a navy blazer a try. Hope this series or some sort of this continues.

    http://www.gaminglifenews.blogspot.com

  21. My instincts would lean toward getting the budget tie and the really expensive shoes, not the other way around. Maybe the tie was a gift?

  22. While you’re totally right, I think the crux of the issue here is that the discussion is about a cotton blazer here, it’s really similar to the safari jacket you mention. And really, the blazer should stay dry regardless of the material. If you’re sweating so heavily that your blazer is getting soaked, why are you still wearing a blazer?

  23. I like H&M ok(for a few basics) but there are better options at the same price point when you catch a good sale – most of the mid-tier brands( Levi’s, Uniqlo, jcp, J.Crew, Gap, BR, Club Monaco) you can score their gear at even lower prices than H&M. Typically you’ll have to get a sale on sale items to make this happen but the quality is just so much better. Sport coats and blazers are better bought thrifting IMO. There’s better and far more interesting options out there for stupid low prices. And thrift stores are choked with blazers and sport coats – get it dry cleaned and tailored. Boom. Sick vintage blazer/sport coat for less than $60 most likely. But y’know, H&M was my first spot when I was trying to step it up too…

  24. I’m sure this article is a favorite for some, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth at certain points.

    I’m all for shopping on a budget, but I do not think that stores like H&M, Top Man, and Target should get much play outside of cheap OCBD’s and undergarments (t-shirts, boxers, socks). Especially on this website, where men are encouraged (cajoled even) to seek a progressive, yet lasting, change toward better dressing and grooming. I think investing, as in spending more money that $50, in a navy blazer, one of the quintessential pieces of American men’s wear, is the only option. I’m not saying call Oxxford up, and get a $2k bespoke jacket, but you can get something made of real materials, with much greater value, that will last a lot longer, for not that much more.

    I’m rabbling, but I do not think such brands (H&M, Top Man, and Target for shoes) should never get any play/encouragement on this site. By the way, I’m only 22 years of age, so this isn’t coming from some ol’ timer with loads of cash and an unwavering respect for Traditional cut everything.

  26. I had to use the google.

    It’s not the name of the website, just a small series. I doubt there’s going to be any confusion. What would you suggest as an alternative? Style Newbie?

  28. ?

    I’ve been wearing a moleskin blazer I got at Old Navy for $40 for at least 5 years. Yes, buying high quality goods is great. But staying within a budget and having some fun is good too. Perhaps Christian, later on down the road, will splurge on a higher quality garment and rotate this H&M one into his weekend wear (like many of us have done with similar blazers/items)

    I don’t think your interpretation of this website is quite accurate.

  29. I can see what you are saying. The thing is to have a “progressive, yet lasting, change” you have to have a starting point. And starting at H&M with European style fitting (fit is king) is better than a boxy suit from a department store.

  30. That works! Tavi’s certainly not talking about male fashion, but she’s a pretty big name nowadays, so I’d personally want to still avoid any confusion (particularly since she probably sucks up all of the good googleable “style rookie” traffic).

  34. High school girls blogging about fashion for girls isn’t your demo?!

    She’s been on Colbert and such, and gained some prominence because of how young she was when she started – it’s nothing I think any of us here would ever stumble upon by browsing through our normal interests.

  35. Absolutely fair, I think my initial reaction was one of projection. Too often, in my opinion (obviously super subjective), young guys like myself and Christian start on this road towards better dressing, but get distracted by strange and trendy fashion pieces, because they are easily digestible for most of society often very cheap. I apologize to Christian and yourself if I came off as snotty and rude, sincerely. Also, this website is amazing, thank you for all you do.

  37. I think, as an introduction into the wearing of a blazer, that cotton was a good way to go. Too often people buy a beautiful piece of clothing but because it’s not what they’re used to it gets relegated to the back of the closet. I live in a town with a population of less than 1000 so this happens to me a lot – the clothes I buy are for my city dwelling alter-ego but the clothes I wear can be, well, rather dull. Back to the blazer issue, a wool blazer can make a blazer virgin feel overly formal at times, no matter what one pairs with it. Cotton has a casual air about it while, to a point, it can be formalised. Definitely step up to the wool version for your next purchase.

  39. I picked up two of the linen jackets this weekend. Really pretty nice. The material is beautiful and they’re not overly constructed. Pretty light, good for summer. The pants that go with them could use some quality control, though, I may have to take both pairs back to the store for problems I didn’t notice at the time. But