The Great Navy Blazer Conundrum

I own a grand total of one traditional navy blazer. Brass buttons, single breasted, patch pockets, notch lapels, the whole traditional package. One thing you always hear from people on this forum is that this is a wardrobe staple. I have no reason to doubt this BUT there is something that has been in the back of my mind lately. I rarely ever wear the thing. Most of the people who post here rarely ever wear one. What gives? If this is such an essential part of a wardrobe why do you never see them featured in WAYWRN or Good Taste? I honestly feel like I could live my life entirely without a blazer like this. For some reason I really want a linen navy blazer with MOP buttons though... anyway, I digress. 

What is the word, wardrobe essential, or live without it? The reason I ask is that I was also thinking that if I ever did decide to wear mine more regularly I'm not even sure I'd know how to do that properly. If yours is something you regularly wear, what do you pair it with? Genuinely curious here.

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Originally Posted by msulinski 

I have 2 navy blazers and wear both regularly. I usually pair with mid-gray flannel pants in the fall/winter, light gray worsted pants in the spring/summer, or mid-brown pants. I have also worn it in social situations with khakis. FWIW, mine has flap pockets and horn buttons, not metal. If I had the metal buttons, there is a good chance I would not wear it, as I just don't think I would feel comfortable in that kind of jacket.

I have no problem with real horn buttons. I can definitely get behind that. But do you see what I mean when it comes to the traditional brass buttoned blazer? Every so often you'll see double breasted navy blazers with brass buttons featured on SF, but rarely the single breasted. I think you wear your blazer like I would wear mine. I'd be alright with wearing it with khaki but it would have to be a rather light shade.

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Originally Posted by becnal 

none have gold buttons. Just not my style.

Two for the "no brass" buttons. I wonder if this is the element that goes wrong. I've never had a problem with brass buttons but other than wearing them on my old Army class As I find it very difficult to know how to do it properly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafoofan 

People take pictures of what they want to show-off, not what they consider normal.

I thought this might have something to do with it, however there are some people who have taken up the cause of the navy blazer that post pictures almost every day. Is it not possible to show off a navy blazer too? Especially something considered so essential to a wardrobe? SF seems to be the land of the odd jacket, and that's cool. I like odd jackets. But there seems to be a "Do as I say, not as I do." mentality about the blazer. In theory everyone loves them. In practice you never see it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafoofan 


Half the time I reach for a suit, I reach for my plain navy hopsack. But I don't think I've ever taken pictures of it to show online. The bottom line is that what people show is not a good example. Also, consider that people who literally post every day are people likely to pick their clothes based on what would be interesting to post.

Fair point. That's too bad though, because I feel like it is a gap that us noobs don't get enough information on in SF. Maybe I'll just take the plunge and start experimenting with it and see what you guys think. It's bound to be painful at first but I'm sure it will get better with time.

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Originally Posted by DocHolliday 

Not that this is of any use, but I posted a lot of blazer fits back in the day.

Well, I'd be interested in seeing what you do with them if you ever decide to display what you do with them on SF again.