Joseph Abboud “Soft Construction” Sport Coat – $199.00
Note: These are also available in in a dark grey
UPDATE: These moved pretty quick. Most sizes available at post time, but limited sizes left now.
The two key words are:
“Soft Construction”
There’s nothing to these things. And it’s fantastic. They’re more shirt than blazer, and are like a super high-quality, wool blend version of the old INC ultra-lights that Macy’s used to make. Only these are Made in the USA, have a traditional, butt-covering drop in the tail, and come in exact chest sizes instead of the ballpark S,M,L, etc…
Size: 38R. Nice taper. More traditional length. 85% wool, 10% cashmere, 5% silk.
Being that they’re on Amazon, they might be leftovers from before Men’s Wearhouse purchased the Abboud brand. But, if the new Made in the USA Abboud suits now being sold through Men’s Wearhouse have a similar cut & attention to detail? Many of us might find ourselves swimming through the MW Salesman Sharks for the first time in years.
Back to these blazers… They’re 85% wool, 10% cashmere, and 5% silk. The fabric has a terrific hand-feel, and it drapes incredibly well. Patch pockets on the outside allow for a mostly unstructured front, with only the sleeves and upper back being lined in rayon.
Barely any construction to these at all. More shirt than blazer, but still a blazer.
Sleeves have a decent diameter for those with some strength to their upper bodies. Sadly, the buttons at the sleeves do function, but sleeve length seems just about right (neither oddly long or too short) on the 38R seen here. Sides are nice and trim, and most will be able to get away without any additional tailoring. Side vents. 3″ lapel.
If you’re looking for a fully lined blazer with a beefy construction, then this ain’t that. If you’re looking for something that’s ridiculously comfortable, super breezy, and can be worn in everything from the bitter cold over a sweater, to warmer weather that’s not quite sweltering, here it be. It’s a bit of a freak, but a freak that plenty will flip for when they first slip it on.
Joe, based on the pics above the blazer doesn’t seem completely casual. Would you wear it with a tie in a business setting? I was thinking the silk and cashmere may make it easier to dress it up.
I love the look of this thing. This is probably the closest I have been to breaking the 90 day no spend challenge going on in the threads. Must. Be. Strong.
I think you could, but it’d have to be a knit or something. The patch pockets and total lack of construction do give it an interesting (read: not so business-like) look….
Super tempting especially living in Houston….also, I am very interested to check out the new line of suits for Men’s Wearhouse. Made in the USA and fully canvased (or at least so the advertisements would lead you to believe)….can’t beat that!
Looks like there is also a blue check version with “soft construction” and 100% wool. The blue check is something I have been looking for but not in the 38R as you sampled. Wonder if a 40S would be worth it?
Also a heads up is that if you sign up for one of those 25% off Amazon promotions, it works on this jacket!
No more 38R?!?!?!
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
We can only hope it gets restocked! As a life-long Texan, a coat like this is a dream come true for those hot summer days.
No love for the sturdy guys. Again.
Define “sturdy”. 183 as of this morning, and a 38R fits me perfectly. They seem to go up to 44L
“Sides are nice and trim, and most will be able to get away without any additional tailoring”
But with a 28 waist, you’d be swimming in a 38R, since it fits my frame perfectly.
Side note: I’ll agree that knit ties are inherently more casual, but Fallon’s been rocking them on the new Tonight Show lately. Glad to see my favorite ties getting some air time.
http://nypost.com/2014/04/02/late-night-funnymen-battle-it-out-for-best-dressed/
Love the Fresh-Prince-Inside-Out pic if you really want to bring the versatility of this thing to light.
I imagine he means: “Heavy & strong. I ain’t fast, but I’ll knock your damn house down.”
(Just in case Phil hasn’t read the article: http://dappered.com/2014/05/style-poll-what-is-an-athletic-body-type-anyway/)
I suppose I picked the wrong word for large.
Size-wise, I mean 46L and up. Long arms with broad chest and shoulders. I could lose a few in the gut, sure, but still, I’m between a 46-48L with a 36″ waist, 6′ 2″, 235.
Armholes? Are they nice and elevated?
I’m gonna go ahead and piggy back on that question. You’d think so if it’s nice and trip, and Joe would have said something if they’re awfully low, but are they actually nice and high?
They feel decently high to me, but there’s enough circumference there that if you’ve got shoulder muscle, you can fit in them comfortably.
Joe, you have a bit of most-interesting-man-syndrome going on in that last picture. Golf clap.
“I don’t always drink sparkling water, but when I do… I put a lemon in it.”
I haven’t seen them, but I’m hoping the commercials intentions are true to what you’re saying. Then again, I highly doubt any brand would intentionally tarnish itself, i.e. if Jos. A. Bank started “promoting” fused suits made in China.
I tried one of these after you mentioned it in the latest mailbag thread. I loved the fabric and the construction was pretty much exactly what I wanted. That said, I got some strange twisting in the shoulders from the (very slight) shoulder padding, and I also got the creasing on the upper shoulder that you’re getting on your right shoulder (right next to the lapel) in the first straight-on picture (an issue I’ve also had with SuitSupply – I think it might be somehow related to collar gap and the jacket’s shoulder to collar ratio, but I could be completely wrong). I wasn’t sure how to address the shoulder issue, so I ended up returning it. I’m trying some stuff on Yoox, but if those don’t work, I might try another size (up? down? again, unsure) in this blazer.
TL;DR: This blazer is great, I wish it had fit me.
” also got the creasing on the upper shoulder that you’re getting on your right shoulder (right next to the lapel) in the first straight-on picture”
Boy. Didn’t even notice… and honestly, count me as someone who doesn’t really care to that extent. I know there are plenty of guys who that kind of thing is a dealbreaker for, but I’m just not one of em’… Thanks for the feedback though Siepi. Good luck!
Let me clarify that if that had been the only issue with mine, I wouldn’t have noticed it either. The shoulder was a deal-breaker, however – it made it uncomfortable to wear.
Thanks Joe!
Totally understood. For mine, it’s wildly comfortable. A huge plus. So if it’s not for you, then yep… that sucker had to go back. Thanks again…
I know the fit is a bit off, but if they work, the linen-cotton blazers from Uniqlo are phenomenal for a fourth of the price of this blazer. They’re usually thinner than the shirt under it, and that’s a good thing. I have to get the sleeves tailored, but I don’t mind a more chopped blazer if it’s for a casual look, which is pretty much all you can pull off with linen anyways.
@ckniep:disqus do you have a link to these suits?
Steven, I haven’t seen them online or at a store yet. I’ve just seen the commercial on TV. I’ve been keeping an eye out for them. I believe they’re calling it the Joseph Abboud “signature suit” line, but haven’t seen any of those online yet.
Where did you get that green gingham button-down?
Joe What watch are you wearing in this post? I’m looking for an affordable gold and brown leather croc strap combo.
like ’em.Try me.Big Cube available on the iPhone App Store.http://goo.gl/hoMU64
Best summer blazer I’ve found was actually at Marshall’s. Calvin Klein 100% linen, completely unlined in extreme slim fit. Lapels are pretty narrow, but for $75 it worked for me.