American Blazer V. British Blazer

[slaavwmr]

I was on the Ben Silver website and noticed they had 2 different styled blazers. From the pictures I can't tell the difference. I figured I would post the links. English Style: http://www.bensilver.com/fs_stor....group=3 American Style: http://www.bensilver.com/fs_stor....group=3

 

[Manton]

This is Ben Silver stretching things, a bit. I suppose the key differences, in their view, are that the "English" coat has a more structured shoulder and side vents, whereas the American coat is more "trad": softer shoulder, flapped patch pockets, center vent.

I must say that no dyed-in-the-wool English dandy I know would be caught dead in that "English" coat.

 

[slaavwmr]

I must say that no dyed-in-the-wool English dandy I know would be caught dead in that "English" coat.

Then what type of Blazer would they wear?
Do they wear Blazers?

 

[uppercase]

Agree that that "English" blazer just doesn't look like anything you would see in London.

But why not? Is is those bottons, the low buttoning point or those trans-Atlantic shoulders - neither here nor there, or what?

I can't put my finger on it.

 

[Thracozaag]

Nope, the American version has the soaring eagle butons, heh.

koji

 

[Trilby]

Double breasted in Britain. The only single breasted blazers I've seen here have been on Americans.

 

[cuffthis]

DB English style blazer (as done by RL)

 

[Manton]

Yes, Trilby is right.  DB is much, much more common in Britain for blazers.  In the rare cases when one sees an SB blazer, it will almost always be flannel or hopsack or some rougher, spongier cloth; three-button; side-vented; with open patch pockets.  A worsted two-button blazer with besom or flapped pockets is a strictly American creature.

The classic blazer is DB in flannel (or doeskin or hopsack, etc.), slightly lighter than true navy, 4-on-2 button stance, with open patch pockets.  You will also see a lot of worsted blazers with flapped pockets and a 6-on-2 stance, exactly like the one depicted above.

 

[Thracozaag]

I know I'm opening up a can of worms here, but what is the exact story behind the appellation of 'blazer'. I've heard many conflicting accounts.

koji

 

[Manton]

I know I'm opening up a can of worms here, but what is the exact story behind the appellation of 'blazer'.  I've heard many conflicting accounts.

The bottom line is, nobody knows. None of the traditional accounts can be proved.

 

[slaavwmr]

So, from what I can tell, the difference between the two are slim and have nothing to do with the country style.

That being said, anyone have an opinion on the quality of the two items. Maybe Ben Silver questions have to go to the other forum, but I figure I will post it here for now and maybe add it to the other one later.

 

[Manton]

So, from what I can tell, the difference between the two are slim and have nothing to do with the country style.

I wouldn't go so far as to say "nothing."  Side vents are more typically English, whereas center vents are definitely American.  The coat called "American" really does look like an "American/Trad" coat.  I just think it's a stretch to say that the other one is quitessentially "English."

 

[Trilby]

It would be interesting to know whether they sell more of the American or "English" version.

 

[slaavwmr]

Quote:

(slaavwmr @ Feb. 13 2005,11:23) So, from what I can tell, the difference between the two are slim and have nothing to do with the country style.
I wouldn't go so far as to say "nothing." Â Side vents are more typically English, whereas center vents are definitely American. Â The coat called "American" really does look like an "American/Trad" coat. Â I just think it's a stretch to say that the other one is quitessentially "English."
What about the cut. I am not going to wear a DB blazer, and I would like something more british looking, not planning a trip to London anytime soon. So I guess, is the blazer a more british looking one, or it just a line from Ben Silver?

 

[Manton]

So I guess, is the blazer a more british looking one, or it just a line from Ben Silver?

In my opinion (true Brits, weigh in please), a 2-button worsted blazer is never going to look English to the English. But at least the side vents give it an air of Britannia.