How to tell a sportcoat from an orphaned suit jacket

joeman said:

A sportcoat is considered more casual than the orphaned suit.

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and yet whats considered casual....no tie?

but does it really matter if its a orphaned suit jacket??



tomee said:

but does it really matter if its a orphaned suit jacket??

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This is Styleforum dude. Of course it matters.



Fred G. Unn said:

Certainly no fixed rule, but often suit jackets have buttons that closely match the fabric, which makes sense since the trousers will use the same buttons and contrasting buttons would look out of place on them. SCs sometimes have more interesting buttons. If you are worried that the jacket looks too much like an orphan, swap out the buttons with something else (like horn) to add some contrast and visual interest.
Fred

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Yes the buttons are the usual tell-tale ( e.g. a blazer may have metal buttons, a suit jacket not somuch).

There are differences on the buttons. For blazers you normally have metallic buttons and the fabric material for suits are more luxurious and lighter compared to the sports jackets.

I know the pictures aren't very good, but if you saw me wearing this, would you think it was an orphaned suit jacket or a sportcoat?

Champagnelifestylenomoney said:

Yes the buttons are the usual tell-tale ( e.g. a blazer may have metal buttons, a suit jacket not somuch).

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Based upon that reasoning my sportcoat is looking more and more like a suit jacket

shilleck said:

There are differences on the buttons. For blazers you normally have metallic buttons and the fabric material for suits are more luxurious and lighter compared to the sports jackets.

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Sounds like I got an orphaned suit jacket made



tomee said:

but does it really matter if its a orphaned suit jacket??

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Not really, even if it was faux pas to wear an orphaned suit jacket and my Mr.Ned suit jacket/sportcoat/whatever it is was considered an orphaned suit jacket, I'd still wear it as much as I currently do.

I'm just on here trying to learn stylistic rules; it doesn't mean I follow them or even care.
In fact, I really don't care about style at all.
I only do so because I think these are things a well rounded man should know, especially with regards to formal attire.
That, and also you are judged by how you dressed and look, even by the most slovenly of men and women.
If I didn't have to made good impressions, I would be more than content wearing baggy, out of style clothing.

A navy suit jacket can usually be worn as a blazer (but technically it wouldn't be a sportcoat, which is not the same thing). Any other colours / patterns, not so much.

The only difference is that an orphaned jacket used to come with pants. Certain styles and fabrics just seem to be more suity to all the purists (dinosaurs) out there. Fact is that no one is stopping anyone from making a sports coat in worsted charcoal pinstripes. Just like no one stopping anyone from making a moleskin suit with patch pockets and elbow patches and whatnot.