The end of the year means it’s time to hand out some awards. No, there’s no little statues to pass along, but over the next few days we’ll still highlight some of the best in affordable men’s style from this past year. And it was a good one. Feel free to send in additional nominations here.
J. Crew Factory Thompson Blazers & Sportcoats – $90 – $140
Factory has to be the odds on favorite this year to knock big brother J. Crew from their Store Wars pedestal. And it’s Factory’s nicely-affordable, Thompson blazers/sportcoats that are one of their biggest weapons.
For around a hundred bucks, these Thompson blazers, sportcoats, and suit jackets have almost if not all the characteristics you want in an affordable blazer. They fit fantastic off the rack, have easy to tailor non-functioning sleeve buttons, and come in a variety of fabrics and colors as the seasons change (they even did a navy tweed w/ elbow patches this past fall, and a black velvet in the winter). Sure all these things are fused, but they’re not stiff. Shoulder pads are minimal, and with sizes ranging from 36S all the way up to 46R, most will be able to find a good fit. They’re incredibly versatile too. While technically labeled as a suit jacket, the Thompson Navy Chino is one of the best do-anything cotton blazers on the market.
While there’s not a huge variety of Thompson sportcoats on the Factory site right now, keep an eye out for familiar warmer weather favorites (and maybe a few new designs) to appear in the spring.
Also Receiving votes: Stafford’s Camel Hair Blazer, The navy velvet, shawl collar blazer from J. Crew, The Nottingham blazers from Bonobos, J. Abboud’s Made in the USA “soft construction” blazers, the continuation of B.R.’s Tailored Fit line.
J crew shirts/blazers don’t fit me since I’m in between their Small and Medium (closer to small than medium). If Jcrew factory fits the same way, what are some other blazer recommendations? I don’t mind spending money, as long as the quality backs it up.
Have always wanted to pull the trigger on JCF blazers, but unfortunately I haven’t seen them in 38S (unless we’re talking about the suit separates).
With the modern, Thompson fit on these, I assume these jackets are cropped just a hair shorter than traditional blazers so I have considered just buying the 38R and shortening the sleeves
Have you tried their slim fit medium shirts? That’s the half-way step between the two. I find that a slim medium or a regular small fit similar, with the medium having a bit more room, obviously.
Keep in mind, most blazers are sized numerically (IE: 36L, 38R, 40S), so you may need to try on a few different sizes to find a better fit OTR. Then, tailoring.
The best bang for the buck, IMHO, is the Stafford hopsack blazer at JCPenney. All wool construction and under $100 on sale. LINK: http://www.jcpenney.com/stafford-hopsack-blazer/prod.jump?ppId=pp5002440092&cmvc=JCP|SearchResults|RICHREL&grView=&eventRootCatId=¤tTabCatId=®Id=
My take:
1. I didn’t have a particularly good experience with the Thompson Chino Blazer. So far its been the only thing from JCF that I have actually returned because I didn’t like the quality. Maybe I just don’t like chino for blazers.
2. I think the best affordable blazer for me has definitely been the Lands End Travel Blazer. It was ~$70 over the holiday. The fit is great. Another do-anything blazer that you don’t have to feel bad about beating up.
Can you explain “easy to tailor non-functioning sleeve buttons”
Its not online yet but JCF has a new single button cotton blazer in store. It retails in the $100 range but with current in store promotions I picked one up for $40. Its half lined, has patch pockets, and comes in true blue and khaki. It has padded shoulders but its slightly less padded than their suit jackets. Sizing is S/M/L instead of numbering. A small fits like a 36S meaning its probably more cropped than their other jackets. Definitely worth checking out if you can visit a store or pick one up on sale.
So on many blazers/suit jackets the buttons on the sleeve don’t function. There are no holes, they are just sewn on. When you go to get the sleeves shortened, the tailor will shorten it from that end similar to the way pants are hemmed. But if the buttons are functional (that is…button) you can’t shorten this way because there are button holes to contend with. So the alternative is to shorten it from the shoulder. This is a lot more labor intensive and expensive to do; $70 minimum vs $20-$30 (or less) most places will charge you to simply shorten the sleeves.
Completely agree with this. That brown tweed herringbone is one of my best purchases of the year.
They don’t do short sizes in Thompson jackets, so far as I’ve seen. I’ve got several in 40R, and they work fine once the sleeves are shortened, but it screws with the rest of the fit, too – lower armholes, wider sleeves, chest fits oddly, &c. If you need a cheap suit immediately, it’s still a good option, but probably better to find something else. If nothing else, it’s one of the advantages of switching to mainline JCrew.
My only beef with jcrew suiting (factory and mainline) is those lapels are a bit narrow IMO. I know it works fine with their 2.5 ties and even then I think that is too slim for a non-knit tie. Would it kill them to make it just a tad wider (we ain’t talking 70s wide)? I understand to save costs fabric has to be reduced somewhere but I’m sure they could find a way.
To add to this. Functioning sleeve buttons is often indicative of more expensive/custom suiting. This is great if you’ve got the money. And if you want to show off a bit, you can leave a button or two undone. Otherwise, get non-functioning, so it can be tailored. Otherwise, be prepared to spend the significant extra money to get the buttons redone. I will add that not all tailors can even do this.
Want to jump on one of these JCF blazers someday, but won’t happen until they offer a 40L.
Did snag the Bonobos Nottingham blazer during their thanksgiving sale. Fantastic deal and always get compliments on it. Just different enough from the traditional navy wool blazer.
THIS THIS THIS. Get with it, Factory – we want a 40L, please.
why u no giv 40L jcf why?
I’m in the same boat. Can’t jump on any of those mentioned because they aren’t offered in a 38L, which I believe is even less available then 40L. *sigh*
I picked up that JCF Navy Chino jacket at $74 during the holiday sales and love the fit and look. Discovered it here on Dappered in a prior post. Will be a nice casual alternative to my wool one. Also surprisingly pleased by a few cotton/spandex ones I found at Express at sub-$90.
They do offer a 40L. I saw one in store yesterday, as a matter of fact.
Do you know if they do an XS?
FYI – The brick and mortar JCF store near me was holding a 50% off MSRP sale on everything in the store, and an additional 20% off at the register. If you’re looking to pick up a Thompson jacket, check in store first.
Shortening from the shoulder is also way easier to screw up. Functional buttonholes are great but they only make sense if the sleeves are very close to where you want them to be, but in situations where sleeve lengths can be 1-2″ short on some guys (looking at you, Suitsupply) they’re terrible. Functional buttonholes on RTW need to disappear, ASAP.
Suitsupply has doubled down on their stupidity lately – apparently some of their trousers have buttoned cuffs, so if you try to him them you’re going to have a buttonhole somewhere on your leg. It’s insane.
At J Crew or JCF? I’ve seen 40L in the J Crew stores. Was the blazer a Thompson? Never seen a Thompson in 40L, which is the subject of this article.
I can’t say for sure but if I had to guess I would say no. It’s definitely cropped if you’re concerned about length.
Sad I missed that blue tweed but I grabbed the one from bonobos that went from 4-something to 150. Not so bad.
Actually some of the Thompsons come in short sizes. I have 2 38S suit jackets.
Lands End is another retailer that has long sleeves but includes functional buttons. They are great if you’re in a bespoke suit, but otherwise a complete waste.
Why the devil would someone put buttons on a *pant* cuff?!
John. I am looking to purchase this blazer. Can you advise on the sizing of the blazer?
For those of you who bought the Bonobos Nottingham Blazer, can you advise on sizing of the blazer? It is a first time purchase from them. thanks,
JCF for sure. I was in the local brick and mortar store just yesterday looking for a Thompson in 40R, but they only had one jacket available, a 40L.
Crazy. Maybe they’re starting to come around. I’ll have to check the store next time I’m there.
They have chest/length sizing so it’s pretty true to size. Slim fit but not skinny. Jacket length is a bit shorter than some suits, but not Uniqlo-like chopped. For me, it’s pretty much perfect. Got many compliments at New Years brunch.
the bonobos lapels are thin to the point of being called vestigial. i thought people wore blazers to look more respectable, not to attend the gala at pee wee’s playhouse
I picked up the Stafford Hopsack blazer earlier this year for $80. The sides needed to be brought in a lot to get a good fit though. But for the quality the sale price and cost of tailoring it was worth it. I also picked up two unstructured cotton Stafford blazers that were on clearance at JCP the other week for $25 each (I believe they were on Dappered earlier this year). The fit off the rack is good enough that I probably won’t get them tailored since I plan on beating them up. They weren’t in the blazer or JCP brand section though so I came upon them by chance.
Anyone had any experience or tried on/seen (in person) the Thompson Factory Topcoat?
I believe this actually isn’t a factory item. I live next to one of the “experiment” stores for JCF here in Destin, FL and these items are from retail. A lot of the factory stores have been getting overflow from retail lately, including ludlow suiting in very limited sizes. Our store got the olive green version listed in the link below. the jacket is VERY trim—I’m normally an xl or 46r in their retail ludlow and the xl in this fit was extremely snug. What bothered me the most is how cropped the jacket is. I’m 6″1 and the thing was showing atleast 3/4 of my bum. Too bad because when I first saw this jacket in the lookbook, I was extremely excited to check these out. However, I’m sure they’ll work fine for the extremely slim build guys.
Here’s a link to reference which line they are: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e9/01/d9/e901d92ba947fc6a27423ccdd2648042.jpg
I’ve noticed that they’re testing out different size runs in their suiting before everything went on clearence. Some brick and mortars they consider “test market” stores, so they send limited runs before they make it online and in the stores for the masses. Supposedly they’re going to be redoing the suiting line coming this spring—more options and sizes.
I did. If you’re planning on wearing the topcoat with suiting, it’s pretty true to size. Sleeves were a hair long though.
Check out J Crew Factory in the clearance. Additional 40% off for some crazy deals on blazers and top coat. Limited sizing of course.
In the same boat with the 40 L. I emailed JCF about it and they told me they are looking into adding that size.
I purchased the 100% wool Thompson suit in 38S this season. The non-suit Thompson blazers however don’t seem to come in 38S. If what you’re saying about the fit is true, I will stay away from purchasing the 38R as a substitute
I think you’re right about it being from the main line. I checked the label and it doesn’t have the two diamonds under the JCrew logo that signifies factory items. You’re also right about it being very trim and cropped. It works for me because I’m on the shorter side but it will probably be too short for taller guys.
The silver lining in all this is that for the time being some main line stuff is showing up at their brick and mortar factory stores and can be had at factory prices. Worth checking out if you have one in the area.
Maybe it’s just nothing 40S and above – I’ve seen some brand (I forget which) do 36S and 38S, but nothing above that.
Question regarding wearing this as a standalone. The thompson sportjackets are all part of the thompson suit pairs, as in they have a matching pair of pants to go with the jacket. I’m assuming it’s ok to wear the jacket/blazer as a standalone without the pant? And when the occasion calls for it you can put both on? It seems minimally padded so it shouldn’t be big deal to wear it standalone?
Yeah – if you have wide shoulders/chest it makes everything look out of proportion. I can’t do the JCF suits either. Exception was the seersucker thompson. I made an exception b/c i got it so cheap and I always wanted one. But still not thrilled with the lapels