In Review: The J. Crew Factory Navy Cotton Blazer

J.C.F. Unconstructed Navy Chino Sportcoat – $88.50 w/ ADDTOBAG

NOTE: Code is good for 25% off orders of $100+ and they kick in free shipping too. Code expires on 9/1/15. Usually it goes for the low $100s, but dips as low as the mid to high $80s with codes.

“Another blue blazer?”

– Mrs. Dappered

She has a point. Kinda. We did just do an in-person with J. Crew Factory’s navy blue, tissue weight, totally unconstructed linen blazer. But this one is more of a year-round workhorse, instead of the linen blazer which probably gets reserved for only the hottest of days.

And unlike cotton blazers from many other brands, this one avoids all the mistakes that so many seem to make. Frankly, it’s about as good as it gets for around a hundred bucks (or less) depending on the sale or code that JCF is running.

Size Shown: Medium, unaltered, on 5’10” / 185. Waist is good, sleeves are a little long.

There’s no shoulder padding, but it’s not totally unconstructed thanks to a decent (but not cumbersome) weight to the crisp chino fabric, a self-fabric lined front, and an acetate lined upper back and sleeves. It’s got just enough backbone to help it drape well, yet it isn’t a fully lined & stiff blazer like you’d find, at say, Banana Republic.

It’s a J. Crew Factory “Thompson” fit, so expect a lowered button stance and  a slightly shorter tail. But that tail is nowhere near as chopped as something you’d get at UNIQLO or Gap. The sides are nicely contoured off the rack, and many will be able to get away without having the waist suppressed.

Light construction, but not flimsy. Back & sleeves are lined in acetate.

The cotton is terrific. Nice and smooth without getting glossy or shiny. Flap pockets make it look a bit sleeker than the more-casual patch pocket alternatives. Pick stitching along the lapel and pockets is a nice touch. The buttons have a good feel to them, and are a perfect, mid brown. And speaking of buttons… they get it right once again with non-functioning sleeve buttons. It’s just so much friggin’ easier to have tailored, unlike the unnecessary functioning sleeve buttons you find on many other inexpensive blazers. Sleeves on this blazer do run a little long, so if you’ve got average length arms and want to show some shirt cuff, you’ll need to have them brought up.

Easy to tailor, non-functioning sleeve buttons.

Looks great with jeans or pants with a bit of texture (say, a linen cotton blend or cords). Just two drawbacks for this sportcoat: #1. It comes in the less exact, S/M/L sizing, instead of more dialed-in chest sizes. And #2… like the aforementioned linen blazer, it’ll show up wrinkled as hell, stuffed into a shirt-sized box. The wrinkles on this chino version weren’t nearly as bad as the linen (which, y’know… is linen), but you’ll have to spend some time steaming or even lightly ironing out the creases upon arrival.

Other than that, it’s an extremely well done essential for a very fair price. Yes, it’s another navy blazer. But it’s not just any navy blazer.

NOTE: There’s one review for this thing on the J. Crew Factory website, and it’s tough to believe. He must be talking about the linen blazer. This chino jacket has enough heft to the fabric that it feels, and wears, like a sportcoat.

Shirt & shoes by Banana Republic. Jeans by Bonobos. Bag by Hilfiger (discontinued)