Best Affordable Style of 2013 – The Blazer

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.