It’s just not fair. A guy in a well tailored sportcoat or blazer has an unfair advantage vs. the rest of the room. A jacket cleans up your lines. It makes you look stronger and smarter. And with the market explosion of casual sport-coats, you can access all of these blazer-advantages even while wearing jeans. There’s no doubt that fall is the prime season for blazers and sportcoats. With affordability in mind, here’s this year’s best bets. (Note: For a fit perspective, here are the measurements.)
J. Crew Italian Flannel Ludlow Sportcoat – $328
Nowhere near as electric blue as it appears on J. Crew’s site… but still fantastic. Lighter-weight flannel, slightly marled, and certainly not a dark & deep navy. Kinda a fall/winter version of their Italian Cotton option from the spring. Size shown above is a 40R, and will need the sleeves to be shortened. But no issue there since the sleeve buttons are non functioning, and there’s no accent stitching around them either. Half lined. Hang out for a 25% off select items sale (and this ends up as one of those select items) and it’ll drop into the mid $200s.
GAP Wool Blend Herringbone Blazer – $73 w/ MONDAY ($118)
One of the better blazers GAP has made in a while. The tail isn’t chopped, the sleeves don’t seem to be crazy long, and the 90% wool fabric is decent. Body is lined in a lighter weight chambray. A real nice casual blazer for fall. Always on sale, and the $45 off $100+ code MONDAY drops this one to $73 through today, 10/6/14.
Banana Republic Tailored-Fit Navy Corduroy Blazer – $180 ($198)
Maybe the sharpest looker on this list. If the navy shawl collar tux is the at present “it” getup for an event requiring evening-wear, then a navy cord blazer might be the “it” getup for those nights out when you’re dressed in the so-called smart-casual way. It’s pretty darn dashing, without going into velvet territory. And this option from Banana Republic is a very safe play. Their Tailored-Fit jackets are slim without being tight, and while fused, can be had for the mid to low $100s depending on sales and codes (you just have to wait for a code where blazers aren’t excluded). Sleeve buttons are functional on this one, but they don’t seem oddly long or short. Plus, they offer short and long options in the jacket. The wale (width of each line of cord) is nice and small. Not 70’s Anchorman fat & plushy. Upper body is lined in acetate/viscose, lower body is lined in poly/viscose. Drapes nicely. Size shown: 40R.
L.E. Tailored Fit Patterned Wool Blazer – $148.50 w/ FALLGIFT + 1387
Terrific fit (size 38R shown here), drapes well… but a full poly lining. Also availble in a herringbone option. Might want to wait for these to go on sale and then use an additional code on top? Color in person does seem to lean more green than it does on the Lands’ End website. Code should get you 25% off through 10/8.
UNIQLO Slim Fit Corduroy Sportcoat – $69.90
CHEAP! And if they fit anything like last year’s option, they’re an incredible buy at $70. Looks to be partially unlined on the back as well? Sadly, no “wine”/burgundy option this year. As always, UNIQLO blazers are pretty short in the tail.
J. Crew Corduroy “Club” Sportcoat – $198.00
Maybe one of the best off-the-rack fitting blazers of the year. Despite being sized in the S/M/L/XL sense, this blazer has real sculpting at the sides (sometimes J. Crew blazers with this sizing system can be real boxy). Almost completely unstructured. Comes in a hugely versatile shade of grey. Side vents. Non-functioning buttons. Sometimes gets a 25% off during those every-so-often J. Crew select item sales. Size shown is a medium.
UNIQLO “Tweed” Slim Fit Jacket – $89.90 ($99.90)
40% wool, 30% nylon, 30% rayon, a 100% poly full lining… but still pretty darn great. It’s got very little structure to it. The fabric moves incredibly well and doesn’t feel stiff. It’s basically a winterized version of a cheap, rumpled chino blazer (like Target’s Merona Kensington). Size shown above is a large, and it needs some serious work at the tailor. Standby for a potential before & after post featuring this thing if it works out. Medium on 5’10”, 185 just wasn’t gonna cut it anymore.
J. Crew Factory Unconstructed Cotton Sportcoat – $80ish – $120ish
Lightweight but still wearable in the winter if you layer (or, just run hot). Unlined back. Much more of a slate-grey with blue tones than the “navy” it’s listed as. Micro-stripe keeps it from looking flat and boring. Non functioning buttons at the sleeve cuffs make for easy tailoring. A basic, for sure, but a basic that gets so many things right where others get it wrong. Looks fantastic with jeans. Price depends on what sale or promo they’re running. Size shown is a medium.
Target Merona Tailored Fit Cotton Blazer – $59.00
Speaking of cotton, unstructured blazers… still a great option. Can’t understand why they aren’t making one in navy at present, but, they aren’t. These do have a bit of a micro-stripe to the cloth, so zoom in if you want an idea. The kind of blazer that won’t look out of place with sneakers or clunky classic work boots. Beat the crap out of these things.
JCPenney JF J. Ferrar Slim-Fit Velvet Sport Coat – $59.49 w/ OCTDEAL
Extremely nice for the price. A true slim fit (size 40 shown above), and the velvet isn’t high-sheen. It’s not matte (it is, after all, velvet) but it’s not going to blind anyone either. Unfortunately fully lined in poly. Side vents. Nice button stance. Sleeve buttons are non functioning, but they do have accent stitching around em’. Takes a little chutzpah to wear velvet, but in the right situation (say, a holiday party) it can look all kinds of right. “Retail” price is $140, but with the ever present JC Penney sales + codes, it’s now down to sixty bucks.
EXPRESS Grey Knit Blazer – $103.50 w/ 1833* ($228)
First featured in last Thursday’s handful. Yeah, it’s all synthetic (poly/rayon body) but man is it soft, flexible, and… avoids the flaccid look many a knit sportcoat suffers from. Doesn’t look like a sweatshirt cut in a blazer pattern, but still more relaxed than most. The kind of blazer one would wear to a workplace where nobody wears blazers, but you want to wear a blazer anyway. Armholes are a little low, but not terrible. Size shown here is a 40R. *Note: Here’s how to get that price: Grab a pair of socks for the gym to tip the $150 threshold, apply the $50 off $150 code 1833, and this’ll drop to $103.50 before shipping & taxes.
Gap + GQ Brooklyn Tailors Cord Suit Jacket – $128
Perhaps a more affordable option than the J. Crew cord club blazer? Looks a little short in the tail. There is a matching pair of pants though. Might look pretty sharp worn as a suit with a bold gingham shirt. The GAP + GQ items are usually excluded from codes, but they eventually go on sale.
JCF Elbow Patch Sportcoat – $102.70 | Herringbone Sportcoat – $109.20 w/ MORE
Usually closer to the $150s without a code, the MORE code drops these by an extra 35%, and they ship free since they’re over $100. One of the more consistent offerings in the affordable tweedy sportcoat world in the last 3 or 4 years. Some years the fabric can be crummy, but it seems like JCF is starting to work their way out of that. Thompson fit. Elbow patches on navy or charcoal, or a herringbone pattern without elbow patches on charcoal or brown.
The Spendy Suckers: Suitsuppy Hudson – $469 | Havana Blue Check – $399
Good grief, that’s a lot of cash. Expecially that Hudson. Wool, silk, and cashmere though, and the not-skinny lapels and patch pockets are all classic sportcoat. Meanwhile, the Havana blue check walks the line between blackwatch plaid and professorial tweed. Half lined. Know that the Havana fit runs on the shorter side for the tail, and comes with those edged/contrast buttons.
The Reminder: Check your local thrift stores
Want to source a fall or winter blazer on the cheap? Scout your local thrift stores. Some areas are better (like, much better) than others when it comes to thrifting, but finding a dozen or so tweed blazers ready for a cleaning & tailoring isn’t too uncommon. Blazer pictured above was found for five bucks by reader Nicholas C. (whattup man, how are the kids?), and was first mentioned in his 5 favorites over here…
Your turn guys. Got a blazer or sportcoat you’re looking to pick up (or, already have) this fall? Leave those suggestions below. NOTE: Just because a store or brand isn’t listed above, doesn’t mean it wasn’t given a look. The likes of Macy’s, H&M, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, etc… were all scouted out.
Really impressed with the Grant cut at Club Monaco, and often find these blazers in-store on the sale rack (esp. for us with “weirder” sizes). Got this last spring discounted to $200, and then 40% off sale brought it down to $120-ish: http://www.clubmonaco.com/product/index.jsp?productId=28716626
Also, this garment-dyed sport-coat is already on sale, and looks sharp: http://www.clubmonaco.com/product/index.jsp?productId=32622626
So much good stuff here. Bought the J. Crew Brown Herringbone this past weekend.
Want to mention my Banana Navy Cord arrived and it seems to fit even better around the waist than the Black Cord I bought last year. I’m considering not even tailoring it, it’s so frickin’ close that I’m in a weird spot. Also, it’s a deep blue that could pass for Black in certain lights. I haven’t worn it out yet, but part of me thinks if I had to choose between the two, I’d pick the Navy over the Black…which has already served me well.
How narrow or wide are those lapels on the gap blazer? Thanks!
What color is the JCPenney JF J. Ferrar Slim-Fit Velvet Sport Coat you’re wearing Joe?
That’s the navy. fitting room lighting (obviously) isn’t the best though. It’s navy in person. Dark navy, but navy.
Are patch pockets a trend in sport coats right now? I ordered the LE Patterned Wool shown above not realizing it had them. After trying it on, I love everything about it except for the patch pockets. But it’s also the first blazer I’ve owned that has them, so it could just be me feeling uncomfortable with a new look.
I picked up the Uniqlo tweed Blue Check two weeks ago. The material was disappointing and the fit was subpar relative to their other “slim fit” offerings in the past. At $90, I would pass on it. I found it to be very underwhelming.
I did also pick up the Navy Cord blazer from them, and at $70, it’s money well spent. Definitely will get a lot of play this fall.
I picked up a Tommy Hilfiger American icon navy blazer for 50EUR. Pretty awesome….
I’ve had that JCF Brown Herringbone sport coat in my cart for what seems like a month. I don’t know what my hesitation is, it looks like a pretty solid fall option.
That SS Hudson is splendid in person. I tried one on two days ago and a 38R fits very well off the rack. You have to really feel the silk/cashmere in person and see how the jacket drapes to understand the awesomeness of it. Also the color is a midnight navy or obsidian than a true navy. The jacket is well worth the money and in my opinion the pinnacle of a casual blazer, but for the price you can buy a full Suitsupply suit…and that’s exactly what I ended up doing. My flannel Havana suit should be done from the tailor by the end of the week.
Great post as usual. I saw those JFC elbow patch Blazers in person this past weekend. I thought the material and construction were an improvement over last year’s (which were pretty darn good). The only thing to watch for, was that this year’s model seemed kind of short in the tail.
Anyone check out the JCP Stafford merino jackets yet? That navy in Prince of whales looks pretty darn slick
I don’t know, I like them. I’m much more comfortable wearing a patch-pocketed blazer with jeans.
I got the Uniqlo cord blazers in Navy and Light Brown and love them. They are partially unlined in the back and the wales are really nice and narrow – maybe 18 wale? I wear a 36-38S though I typically need the sleeves shortened on even a short. Got them in small and just needed the sleeves shortened. The rest fit really well. I also got the LEC blazer in 38S and I really like the color. Even got a compliment from my tailor on it. Fit really good as Joe said. Just got the sleeves shortened and had to pay $5 extra to have the contrast stitching removed. The wool is pretty thick and warm.
I wasn’t sold on it until I went into the JC Factory store yesterday to check it out in person. I then spent approximately 15 minutes, and 35 back-and-forth try-ons, deciding if 40L or 42L was the right size for me. Online description only says “wool/nylon”, so for what it’s worth tag says it’s 90% wool, 10% Nylon…and Lining %100 Acetate.
I gotta respectfully disagree with your take on the UNIQLO fabric, but I think why you don’t like it might be why I like it.
It’s really lightweight. Like, borderline flimsy to some, but I like super lightweight blazers, sorta this one over here: http://dappered.com/2014/05/the-suggestion-joseph-abbouds-barely-there-blazer/
Agreed on the fit though. Seemed extra generous compared to their cord blazers. Which are terrific.
I have three of last year’s model, so I obviously love them. I haven’t tried the new ones yet, so I can’t comment on fit. If they’re the same cut, they are definitely worth checking out.
Thinking the same thing, it looks phenomenal, but I could get something similar custom (in same or better materials) at that price. I might copy the look and have my tailor make one for me.
Thanks for sharing. If you don’t mind me asking, what size did you end up going with and what are your measurements? I ask because there aren’t any JCF stores near me to go try it on.
How short is the Uniqlo cord jacket would you say?
Serious question. How does one wear a burgundy/wine/crimson blazer?
Every time I try, I end up looking like an usher. And not the fly one.
I wear mine with jeans a lot. Also, I’d lose the tie. Or surround yourself with playmates.
Anyone have tips for dudes with a bit of a beer gut? I’m 6’2″ish and normally wear about a 44R (the Ls generally end up being way too long and lose the aesthetic of being a casual-dressy addition to the outfit – just end up looking dressy and awkward), but everything is cut so slim at JCrew and such that there’s nothing that’s going to get around my gut and still look good in the shoulders. Obviously don’t want to size up to a 46 because of the shoulder issue. Do I just have to lose weight or I’m SOL?
Big fan of the Grant fit too. Tough part is finding it on sale in my size.
Get it. I love mine.
Anyone have any scoop on the GAPxGQ Brooklyn Tailors herringbone s/c? Looks sharp online.
I picked up last seasons J. Ferrar velvet jacket from JCP in March for around $30. I got a size up because they didn’t have mine but after some alterations it’s one of my favorites. It looks really nice when work with tuxedo pants and a bow tie or can be dressed down with dark jeans and a sweater underneath. Normally I wouldn’t have bought it but the price was so low I could take a risk. It paid off.
I’d say it’s probably on par with most Uniqlo jackets. I’m 5’6″ and it’s probably in the same ballpark as a regular “short” blazer. I wear a small, and I’d estimate the jacket length to come in somewhere between 28.5 and 29 inches.
You could always try the Madison fit blazers at Brooks Brothers. It’s more geared for those who prefer/require a more relaxed fit, but also has excellent quality. A 44R in that fit should give you the look you’re going for. But wait until the Semi-Annual Sale in mid-December so you can at least get 30% off … It’s still expensive, but it’s a great deal at that price ($350-$400 for some of them).
Either one would have worked. But I went with 40L. I’m 6’4″, 200-205 lbs, and just broke out the tape measure to see chest is 42″, and around the belly button is 36″. Also wear a 16 neck, 36 length dress shirt. Hope that helps some.
I bought a burgundy quilted blazer…it is less formal I suppose so it maybe easier to wear (though a lot of people will not like the quilting) haha. I wear it with jeans or chinos (navy and grey work well).
Really liking the look of that JCF twill jacket, but the sizing is throwing me off. I’m a 36ish in the chest, about 35 in the arms, 31/31 waist, 160lbs, 6ft. Not sure what I should do
thank you, sir
Man, never thought to try a cord blazer until today. Was wandering a high-end dept store killing time between some stuff, and for grins tried on a Billy Reid one. Holy cow, I felt like a million bucks in that thing, and the fit was perfect just off the rack. Of course, it cost closer to a million bucks than what I’m generally willing to pay for a single-season item (in case you’re curious, they listed it as $625). Holy budget bomb, Batman! Suppose I should have expected that. But in light of that, might just have to give those Uniqlo ones a try…
DUDE. That jacket is nails!
I guess I should have prefaced my question with the fact that it’s a cord blazer. Pretty important omission.. wine/burgundy is easy to match up, but when it’s got that little bit of sheen to it, it falls into the abyss of too-dressy-yet-too-casual purgatory.
Just got the Uniqlo “Tweed” slim fit jacket over the weekend – love the windowpane pattern in person its really sharp. I got a M and it fits well off the rack I’m 6′ 170lbs. As always with uniqlo the button is a little high for my liking. Good to know its $10 cheaper now I gotta do my price adjustment.
L.E. Tailored Fit Patterned Wool Blazer looks really good might have to pull the trigger…exactly what Ive been looking for…more patterned blazers for the Fall+Winter season.
Thanks, that definitely helps. I’m 6’5” — 39” chest — 34” at true waist — 170 lbs — 15.25/37, so I struggle with OTR blazers/suits/sport coats/everything. I typically go with 40L and need a bit of tailoring. That’s probably what I’ll do here.
Didn’t realize that gap/GQ line had launched… Liked a couple of the pieces I got last year. Anybody seen the Navy Mac coat from this year in person yet? I’ve been keeping my eyes open for one of those now for a bit
picked up the jcp velvet 42R. Super nice and fits like a glove. I am 5’11” 195 lbs. Trying to decide if I can rock this before December. Maybe if I carry a pipe….
I picked up a JCPenney blue velvet suit jacket. Slim indeed. Love it. Fits like a glove!
2 Questions:
1.) What color pants should I wear with it, dark navy or black? flat color or w/ a pattern?
2.) Do I need to have a bow tie for this?
I hear ya! Pretty much saving this one for winter/christmas time!