In Review: Old Navy’s New Navy Cotton $45 Blazer

Old Navy “Sateen” Blazer – $44.96 w/ COZY ($74.94)

This is a pleasant surprise. For whatever reason, this Old Navy “Sateen” Blazer gets right all the things so many other cheap sportcoats seem to get so, so wrong. For example:

• It’s almost totally unlined. And what little lining is in the back, is a cotton chambray.

• The length of the tail, unlike other sportcoats in this price range from H&M/GAP/UNIQLO, isn’t chopped. It might be on the shorter/more modern side, but not comically chopped like some other jackets.

• And perhaps most importantly, the sleeve buttons are non-functioning. That means you won’t have to shell out an arm and a leg to tailor a sportcoat that cost you… well, not anywhere near an appendage or two.

Size shown is a medium on 5’10” / 185

But what about the fabric? Plenty of guys will be scared off by the word “sateen,” but the good news is that this thing isn’t shiny. Far from it. There’s no sheen here. Space Blanket it is not. Quite the opposite in fact. Instead, it’s a matte, almost moleskin feeling fabric. All cotton of course, 98% cotton / 2% Spandex, and with a very, very short nap to it. Like a natural cotton nubuck, if such a thing were to exist.

The fabric is dense enough that it’s gonna be a three season (fall, winter, spring) sportcoat. Don’t count on wearing this in summer, since it’s not a breezy, lighter weight poplin or chino. But it should be a terrific, polished looking layer to wear with jeans or cords now that the weather is cooling off.

It’s tough to tell on a computer screen, but the fabric is more like moleskin.
No real “shine” that many would expect to come with a sateen fabric.

Sleeves might run a touch long, but despite some heavy accent stitching around the buttons, there is room to (easily) bring those sleeves up. Lapels are a Ludlow/Thompson like 2.5″ wide.

Again, it’s barely lined. Like… the sleeves aren’t even lined. Just a chambray, upper back lining to help you get it on over your shoulder blades. Patch pockets on the lower front also help avoid the need for any front lining.

This thing will even go on sale from time to time, and depending on the code Old Navy is running, it can go for around $50 (like it is now, at 40% off.) Plenty are gonna find it a steal at $75. On sale? It’ll make more than a few more than happy.

Hardly any lining to speak of. Not even the sleeves.
So despite being dense, moleskin-like cotton, it should breathe decently.