If you could only have one blazer what kind would it be?

[hi123]

1. If you could only have one blazer what kind would it be?
I'm thinking of getting a navy blazer in London. High-end but as cheap as high-end can get.

2. Any recommendations?
3. What is the difference in price and quality between a bespoke blazer and a high-end off-the-rack?

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[Andy57]

1. If you could only have one blazer what kind would it be?
I'm thinking of getting a navy blazer in London. High-end but as cheap as high-end can get.

2. Any recommendations?
3. What is the difference in price and quality between a bespoke blazer and a high-end off-the-rack?

Thanks so much for your help.

Well, you're already thinking of getting it--a navy blazer. That's always going to be the right answer. Either a nice smooth barathea or go for some texture with a hopsack cloth or something like that.

I have no recommendations for London, but I would imagine any good retailer would be awash in examples at all price points. The difference in price between bespoke and OTR would likely be substantial, unless you're talking about Kiton or Isaia or other extremely expansive brand. The difference in fit would likely be substantial, also. Any OTR jacket is likely to have larger armholes and a lousier fit to accommodate a wider range of potential customers. A bespoke jacket would fit only you.

One drawback with bespoke, of course, is that you would likely not get the finished jacket for quite some time.

 

[Astaroth]

1. If you could only have one blazer what kind would it be?
I'm thinking of getting a navy blazer in London. High-end but as cheap as high-end can get.

2. Any recommendations?
3. What is the difference in price and quality between a bespoke blazer and a high-end off-the-rack?

Thanks so much for your help.

1 - A tough one and depends a little on what you're meaning "blazer" and what you have when it comes to suits. As I have a few suits where the jackets can be used separately its possibly a bit easier for me. Personally it'd be a SB navy jacket with very light structure and a semi informal fabric like cashmere or hopsack as it can be dressed up or down and the top end of formality would be dealt with by a suit rather than jacket

2 - you need to mention a budget as one persons high end can be another persons budget

3 - bespoke (or made to measure) could be anywhere from £250 for an online MTM offering to £5,000 plus for the Row. Quality depends on what you are comparing. You can choose any fabric so from that side it at least equals and more likely exceeds OTR. Ultimately both could be fully hand stitched etc but the odds are that bespoke will have a better finish.

The key to bespoke though is (1) you get exactly what you want, not what some designer wants and (2) the fit is better and the further you are from the designers view of the ideal/ average person the more this comes to play.

So for example the Mrs saw a Prada coat she liked a lot but it was designed for someone 5'10+ not 4"11. A tailor was able to make a very similar coat but with a more flared skirt as she wanted in arguably a better quality fabric for about 30% less than the OTR price was (exc the alterations she'd have needed)

 

[lordsuperb]

If I could do only one it would be a purple cashmere blazer for the win!

 

[hi123]

Quick question: what is SB? as it doesn't show up in google

 

[Andy57]

Quick question: what is SB? as it doesn't show up in google

Single breasted. DB is double-breasted.

 

[starro]

The mentality of "as cheap as high end gets" could hurt you if you go the bespoke route. There are plenty of MTM outfits, mostly online, that purport to offer "bespoke" for mid/high range RTW prices. What you'll get is questionable fit, questionable construction, and questionable materials.

Not to mention dirt cheap tailors in Shanghai, Bangkok, and even Hong Kong hawking their "bespoke" services.