Difference between suit jacket and sport coat

The title says it all, I believe...

As someone who is quite young and has little knowledge about the ways of mens colthing... please explain where the difference is. I wear the jacket of my black two-buttoned suit quite often with denim... besides of the most of you probably considering that fact alone as a no go, is it particulary bad to do so with a suit jacket instead of a sports coat? If so, why?

Among other differences, sportcoats are usually made with heavier and more durable fabrics such as tweeds and twills.

You can do it.

Jeans and a suit coat is a "young and trendy" look, many years old now.

As you are dressing down the suit jacket with jeans it really doesn't matter.

If you are willing to dress inside the tradition correctness then you shoud wear a sports coat with odd trousers.

main differences ? Sports coats are usually made with textured cloth, horn or metallic buttons, sometimes cut a little roomier to accomodate a sweater inside.

For classic traditional sports coats, think of a blue blazer and gold/brass buttons, or a blue sports coat made with textured cloth and horn buttons, and many kinds of tweeds for the winter ( houndstooth, glenn plaid, windowpanes ) or in light wool cloth, cotton or linen for summer ( windowpanes, colorful POW ).

A suit should be more sober and plain cloth and with buttons that match the cloth, a blue suit coat will have then blue buttons as opossed to horn/brass/MOP on a sports coat

The obvious problem with this is that the suit coat gets worn out faster than the pants. Though in the case of a black suit, that's a positive benefit

None of my sport coats has metal or horn buttons, I think that such buttons are only compulsory on blazers.
I believe that the only "substantial" difference between a suit jacket and a sport coat (if considered separate from the trousers) is the kind of cloth. Some cloths have a "sport coat" look and would not look too god on a suit, and viceversa. And some cloths appear to be suitable both for suits and for sport coats (and I guess in those cases you will not be able to tell whether the jacket is a sport coat or an orphaned suit jacket).
I asked my tailor if he "cuts" a sport coat different from a suit jacket, and he said that, basically, no. I am thinking about ordering a sport coat, and I am actually thinking about asking him if he could consider making it a wee bit shorter than the suit jackets he has made for me. Don't ask me why.

Originally Posted by letmebefell

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The obvious problem with this is that the suit coat gets worn out faster than the pants. Though in the case of a black suit, that's a positive benefit

'lulz' Ah, so much hate on black suits I am really not into grey or blue suits since I think they do not go well with my skin tone... so the only real alternative are different tones of brown, camel cream... But brown suits are widely considered inappropriate for evening occassions... So what real alternative would there be to a black suit? Suggestions?

Originally Posted by minimalist

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'lulz' Ah, so much hate on black suits

I am really not into grey or blue suits since I think they do not go well with my skin tone... so the only real alternative are different tones of brown, camel cream... But brown suits are widely considered inappropriate for evening occassions... So what real alternative would there be to a black suit?

Suggestions?

If you're worried about something going with you skintone, a charcoal grey isn't going to be any different from a black. My charcoal grey suit is definitely more appropriate to wear anywhere over the stark, funereal black that you may be considering. Charcoal grey is like the color of graphite pencil led or conte crayon, NOT like a light grey.

I'm pretty sure suit jackets tend to be cut a bit longer in the body.

Originally Posted by emptym

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I'm pretty sure suit jackets tend to be cut a bit longer in the body.

+1. It is my impression that suit jackets tend to run a touch longer.

This may be strictly a product of my imagination, but don't suit jackets also have a tendency to have more closed quarters? Perhaps not in all cases, but wouldn't a suit jacket have the option to have quarters more closed than might be acceptable in a sport coat?

Originally Posted by emptym

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I'm pretty sure suit jackets tend to be cut a bit longer in the body.

Thanks. Actually, this tailor once made me an odd jacket, and while my wife think that it looks great, I feel that it is a tad too long for my taste. So next time I will stress that he should consider making it a little bit shorter.

Why would this be the case?

Originally Posted by emptym

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I'm pretty sure suit jackets tend to be cut a bit longer in the body.

The assumption would be that shorter is sportier

Originally Posted by Sartorian

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If you're worried about something going with you skintone, a charcoal grey isn't going to be any different from a black. My charcoal grey suit is definitely more appropriate to wear anywhere over the stark, funereal black that you may be considering. Charcoal grey is like the color of graphite pencil led or conte crayon, NOT like a light grey.

Hmmmmmm... I think I will consider to buy my next suit in charcoal... At least I will give it a try in front of the mirror and see how it looks But with middle or light gray my skin looks reddish and even more pale than it already is But I also consider a black suit to be a real classic somehow... but then I also like black ties even when not attending to a funeral At least with a shirt that is not all white

Originally Posted by letmebefell

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Why would this be the case?

Good question, I am looking forward to reading an answer, especially as this will help me to argue my case with the tailor. Thank you in advance.

Let me make the argument, then. Jacket length is determined by one thing - the distance from your shoulder to your ass. The jacket hangs from your shoulders, and has to cover your ass. You tell me how you vary this measurement based on the formality of your clothing.

Originally Posted by DunninLA

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The assumption would be that shorter is sportier

Shorter is just as wrong as longer. Whether you're getting it made or altered, it should be right.

Originally Posted by epa

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Good question, I am looking forward to reading an answer, especially as this will help me to argue my case with the tailor. Thank you in advance.

No offence to your tailor, but next time, remind him who's wearing the coat and writing the checks. You can discuss how open you want the quarters, and how suppressed you want the waist, and where you want the pockets, and how high the waist is supposed to be, and how much fullness you want in the chest, but the tape tells the tale of how long the jacket is.