Banana Republic Modern Slim DB Cotton/Linen Blazer – $198
This is destined for the sale section. Why? Most of B.R.’s clientele (and plenty of us here on this website) won’t give this thing a chance. AND THAT’S TOTALLY FINE. It’s a bit of a reach. But here’s why this thing is anything but a stuffy, dusty, Thurston Howell III type of double breasted blazer:
- Instead of the usual six button front, this one goes for a modern four button.
- The buttons are a deep dark brown, instead of brass.
- The fabric is a casual cotton/linen/viscose blend.
- It’s also made in their slimmest, “Modern slim” cut, and it’s incredibly lightweight. Little structure. Unlined back, hardly any shoulder padding.
This thing can do what a velvet (especially shawl collar) blazer can do in the cold months. It’s a bit of a statement. Keep the rest of your outfit reigned in, and you’ll walk the line. It also helps to be a little ugly, or a little rough around the edges. If you’re part of team clean-cut, maybe skip it. You want to look less like a goody-two-shoes, and more like someone who knows how to make his date a nightcap. And later on, breakfast.
With other summer fabrics + textures
- Shirt: Calibrate by Nordstrom Trim Fit Gingham Shirt – $59.50 (sold out in black)
- Pants: Bonobos Oxleys in Indigo – $98.00 (Purchased with a $20 off Oxleys code a few weeks back)
- Shoes: Mike Konos Suede Cap Toes (no longer available)
Bravo to Banana Republic for making a blazer with little structure and little lining. Unlined in the back, then an acetate/rayon blend is up front (you barely notice it). It’s mainly cotton with a bit of linen in the blend, so you could wear it in the cooler months, but it works best now. Oxford cloth pants, Suede shoes, and a checked shirt team up nicely with this thing for an outdoor house party or late afternoon drinks on a patio somewhere. Yes, the shirt is a black/white check… and shoes are brown. But the shoes are suede and that makes it easier to fudge on matching black/browns.
With jeans and a bright white shirt
- Shirt: Your favorite lightweight, semi-spread collar white dress shirt (shown: Ratio Pinpoint Semi-Spread)
- Jeans: Levi’s 505 Straight Fit in “Tumbled Rigid” – $39.99
- Pocket Square: TheTieBar Chambray in Soft Gray – $8.00
- Shoes: Aston Grey Suede Single Monk – $79.95 w/ HOTSAVINGS ($89.95)
Another blazer that’ll help facilitate “getting the blues.” Hosting a cocktail, dinner, or co-ed poker party and it’s going to cool off at night? Might as well dust off the dark denim. The grey chambray pocket square breaks up the wall of blue on your torso, while the sand-colored suede shoes nod at the season we’re in. And speaking of those shoes, here’s more outfit options for those in particular.
Wrinkled, untucked, & dressed down
- Polo: UNIQLO Dry Button Down Collar – $22.90
- Pants: J. Crew Irish Linen Trousers (Part of a suit)
- Belt: Jomers Made in the USA Cotton Macrame Belt – $20.00
- Shoes: Mercanti Fiorentini Drivers – $69.95
Pretty much pajama-level of comfort here. The shoes are basically slippers, the all linen pants are just fine if they wrinkle, and the polo most certainly will look plenty good untucked. Pass the bacon.
Currently, this Banana Republic Double Breasted Blazer is sitting at $198, and blazers are almost always excluded from codes. Know that while listed as navy, it’s only a dark navy under normal indoor light. It leans more true-blue than black. Also know that like almost all BR blazers, this one DOES have functioning sleeve buttons. Is the DB too dandy for you? Totally understood. Here’s more than a few good, warm weather appropriate, single-breasted options.
After seeing a gentleman in the airport rocking a Billy Reid DB, I have been looking for one myself at a decent price. This may fit the bill. Would rather they had it in more of a khaki color though. Hopefully it goes on sale.
I’m filing this under, “I can see that looking good on somebody else, but I’d never wear it if I bought it.”
This is what the me with no wife and kids to support would wear on his awesome nights out that I don’t get to go for a good 10 more years. Thanks Joe, I was wondering how to do DB without a tie – these are some good options for 2025 for me :-).
Yep. You’d look way overdressed compared to 99% of the people around you. And for the last outfit, I understand what Joe is trying to say, but it really isn’t pj level of comfort. Very few things are pj level of comfort
Like Tod C said, it’s more about lack of opportunity to wear it appropriately. If I were in a financial/family position to go out on the town regularly, I’d put it to good use. (Maybe… I’m a little short and stocky for DB jackets. Might just look terrible.)
I think my hair is starting to thin in the back too much for me to be a member of anything other than Team Clean Cut. Hilarious.
I like the concept, would probably be best for an event where there is little to no sitting involved so you can stay buttoned, right? (bar night out, cocktail events as suggested, etc.)
As soon as that hits the Clearance rack, I’m all over it.
Father’s Day is a great day to wear what,you want…you’ll still have to sport the ‘worlds greatest dad t-shirt’ under it… But if it makes you feel better, once I got a job, the gifts I gave my dad started getting cooler,,,,
He had that ‘I own this place’ vibe huh?
– as seen here with Denzel washingtons’ GQ shoot.
Can’t have any kind of gut while wearing this….but if you’re in shape…and we’ll enough endowed to be considered a ‘baller’ (yes…I did do that) then you may attempt this.
If not, you will be smited by the gods of self consciousness.
I prefer to refer to myself as “rugged” rather than “ugly.”
Depends on the day over here, but I hear ya.
“I wanted Mary Ann on “Gilligan’s Island” ugly, not Cornelius on “The Planet if Apes” ugly. TV ugly, not… ugly ugly.” – The Simpsons (Pygmoelian)
Very much so. And we ended up having a conversation, which is how I was able to find out that it was a Billy Reid jacket. Turns out he was a young attorney. He had a red gingham check shirt on under the jacket and this old vintage brown leather suitcase. Needless to say, I was coveting a little bit.
I bought the Express DB blazer that was featured last year and I’ve gotten a decent amount of use out of it. It’s great for an event like a cocktail party where everyone will be SORT OF dressed up, and you still want to stand out from the crowd.
For those that want to compete with @cycreative for ‘flyer-than-thou’ the sale section might have your find….at your price.
Last summer I bought a navy blue cotton db from zara… Found it on clearance while on a business trip in Barcelona. Figured at $30 why not take the risk? I love it. Light and breezy but still gives me a feeling of confidence when wearing it. I typically wear it like look number 2. Dark jeans, a white or white striped shirt and loafers or double monks. Always buttoned.
If this thing wasn’t $200 I’d be all over it. Would love a true blue db… And suit.
Whats the watch that you’re wearing? Thanks.
Mine just showed up in the mail. The material is super light weight, it’s a nice trim fit out of the box. I vary between a 36S (brooks brothers fitzerald) and a 34R (suitsupply napoli) – the 36S in this fits pretty well in the shoulders. It’s a bit cropped but at 5’7″ it looks great. Definitely a fan. Not sure if I’ll ever actually wear it out of the house, but at ~100$ it was worth the plunge.
Jomers has terrible customer service. I ordered two of their belts the last time this site advertised/reviewed for them in late April. At the time the site showed the belts as back ordered for a few days. It’s 5 weeks later and they still have not shipped my order.
They keep pushing back their shipping dates on their website without explanation or notification to those who have placed orders and taken payment . They even created a shipping label over a week ago, to claim it’s been shipped, but the package was never delivered to the post office.
Stay far-far away from Jomers.
Bought it and love it. I signed up for BR email list, which provided a 25% off coupon (no exclusions!) which put the price at $160. Very doable and well worth the quality. With the 40L, I was very pleased how well it fit my 6’3″ 175lb frame. The sleeve length was perfect for my orangutan-length arms and the functional sleeve buttons were a wonderful surprise. Double vents, with a length was not at all chopped and covered my nalgas completely. Unlined and breathable making it comfortable in the Texas heat. Decidedly not a navy, much closer to an electric blue type navy if it may be put like that. Overall an exceptional product for the price. Five stars!