Suit jacket doubling as blazer

[JonK]

Hello. I have a single breasted solid navy suit from Ralph Lauren's Purpe Label. It's a lightweight wool with flap pockets (with a ticket pocket on one side) and side vents.

Just curious what the thinking is on using the jacket as a navy blazer on occasion. I recognize the need to avoid uneven wear on the jacket and pants, but was wondering if there are other downsides.

Many thanks,

 

[Marcellionheart]

The biggest downside is that it looks like you're using a suit jacket as a blazer.

 

[chasingred]

It depends on the pattern and, more importantly, how shiny the fabric is (assuming it's wool). Cotton and linen jackets usually work, but wool can as well as long as it's not too obviously a suit jacket.

 

[Ianiceman]

I've seen this suggested in a couple of style books, especially if you are trying to pack light for a trip. You can get away with it but it's usually a sign that you are either too broke or too cheap to own a suit and a blazer, which is exactly what some people will think if they see you with the suit on one day and the jacket only on another.

 

[ysc]

It attracts a fair bit of scorn on here unless it is a fabled blazersuit, but I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

I have a blazer with brass buttons, but for some occasions those are not really right, so I wear a navy suit jacket, it has never attracted any negative attention. In an ideal world the jacket would have slightly more interesting buttons, to get away from the suit-yness of it, but if you need a blue blazer for something and only have a blue suit I say go for it. Plenty of blue odd jackets come with fairly sober suit-like buttons these days anyway.

 

[bleachboy]

I dunno. Seems like a lot of people these days are buying navy blazers without brass buttons for whatever reason. People will probably just think it's one of those.

Any other color/pattern but plain navy, I'd recommend against it. The exception, of course, is that crazy MTM plaid suit you bought as a suit just because it was only $100 more with pants.

 

[Matt S]

Originally Posted by JonK

Hello. I have a single breasted solid navy suit from Ralph Lauren's Purpe Label. It's a lightweight wool with flap pockets (with a ticket pocket on one side) and side vents.

Just curious what the thinking is on using the jacket as a navy blazer on occasion. I recognize the need to avoid uneven wear on the jacket and pants, but was wondering if there are other downsides.

Many thanks,

What type of weave is the fabric? A lot of Polo suits are made in a serge weave that is perfect for a blazer, so perhaps RLPL is similar.

 

[JonK]

Originally Posted by Matt S

What type of weave is the fabric? A lot of Polo suits are made in a serge weave that is perfect for a blazer, so perhaps RLPL is similar.


Thanks. I'll need to check. I'm not an expert, but will take a closer look. The fabric doesn't
have a lot of texture to it and has a little shine, but nothing too noticeable.

 

[EZETHATSME]

Sounds like it'll work fine in your case. As has been said, not a popular idea on here, but I think if you are on a budget, or perhaps don't dress up a lot for work it's a good way to save some cash.

EZ

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by EZETHATSME

Sounds like it'll work fine in your case. As has been said, not a popular idea on here, but I think if you are on a budget, or perhaps don't dress up a lot for work it's a good way to save some cash.

EZ
I agree, if you have little need for a blazer or have a limited budget, then sure, wear the suit jacket as an odd jacket. I don't see anything wrong with it, though my own personal preference would be to buy a blazer and not use the suit jacket as one, but that's just me.

 

[vncrz]

Swap the buttons for some brownish horn ones

 

[JonK]

Originally Posted by vncrz

Swap the buttons for some brownish horn ones

Interesting idea. I could see how this would make a difference.

Thanks for all of the responses Ultimately, this is less about being frugal, and more about squeezing out extra versatility. I just commissioned a new bespoke navy blazer. It's going to be a while before I get it. I have a cashmere navy blazer I got off the peg that i have been wearing in the meantime. It's nice, but I prefer the weight of my nave wool suit, so was thinking about using that until the new blazer is ready (it's many months away).