Suit Jacket as Blazer?

[PhiloVance]

I just picked up a lovely navy blue Purple Label jacket at a "thrift" store in Brooklyn. I use the quotations because it still cost me $100. But I think its still a bargain considering it was in my size and the sleeves, with working buttonholes, fit me perfectly. So I couldn't pass it up. Navy blue, 3 button with a ticket pocket.

My only concern is that it may be an orphaned suitjacket. I can't really tell. However, my parents both have some experience with clothes. My mom was a seamstress for the Joffrey Ballet many, many years ago, and she could not stop commenting on the quality of the jacket. My father also worked as a young man at Paul Stuart and other haberdasheries around the city. His first comment was to ask whether the jacket was part of a suit. Is there any way to really tell from cut, design, etc.?

I'm waiting to get the jacket back from the cleaners, will post pics soon.
Philo

 

[drizzt3117]

Originally Posted by PhiloVance

I just picked up a lovely navy blue Purple Label jacket at a "thrift" store in Brooklyn. I use the quotations because it still cost me $100. But I think its still a bargain considering it was in my size and the sleeves, with working buttonholes, fit me perfectly. So I couldn't pass it up. Navy blue, 3 button with a ticket pocket.

My only concern is that it may be an orphaned suitjacket. I can't really tell. However, my parents both have some experience with clothes. My mom was a seamstress for the Joffrey Ballet many, many years ago, and she could not stop commenting on the quality of the jacket. My father also worked as a young man at Paul Stuart and other haberdasheries around the city. His first comment was to ask whether the jacket was part of a suit. Is there any way to really tell from cut, design, etc.?

I'm waiting to get the jacket back from the cleaners, will post pics soon.
Philo

It probably is, but it also doesn't matter if its navy blue, 99.99% of people won't be able to tell and it's considered appropriate by most as long as the texture isn't too off.

 

[dah328]

Or mother of pearl, etc. Just something other than the current buttons which would be what were used for a suit jacket.

 

[vanity]

I've got 2 suit jackets that I occasionally wear as sportcoats. One black and another is grey pin-stripe.

 

[Badrabbit]

If you really want to make it look less like an orphaned suit jacket, you could add some nice brass buttons like the one's Ben Silver carries.

 

[PhiloVance]

Originally Posted by Badrabbit

If you really want to make it look less like an orphaned suit jacket, you could add some nice brass buttons like the one's Ben Silver carries.

Wow, that was the same comment my father made. The sartorial-minded think alike. The current buttons are dark blue, perhaps that was the give-away.

 

[drizzt3117]

Originally Posted by PhiloVance

Wow, that was the same comment my father made. The sartorial-minded think alike. The current buttons are dark blue, perhaps that was the give-away.

I personally don't like metal buttons, even on real blazers, but diff strokes for diff folks.

 

[wheelerray]

If neither of your fairly well-informed parents could tell, I think you're good to go.

 

[Trenditional]

I say wear it and enjoy. Yes, if it is a plain navy with no texture or pattern, it might be "questioned" as a suit jacket worn separately, but in reality how many of those you'll come in contact with will realize this? I also don't like metal buttons, but that would be a way to change it up. I know someone who found some antique looking pewter buttons and had them put on a navy jacket. It was a different look because the buttons didn't stand out as much as gold ones. If the jacket has any pattern or texture to it, I think you'll have nothing to worry about.

Just don't wear it with navy trousers =)