While the blazer has its roots firmly planted in sport jacket history, subtle style differences make the two wardrobe pieces very distinct from one another. The difference between them is often misunderstood and their distinct boundaries are often muddled simply because neither a jacket nor a blazer has a matching pair of pants. Despite this similarity, however, there do exist major differences; mainly, a sport jacket is textured and oftentimes patterned, whereas a blazer is a solid color (usually navy or black), made of smooth fabric and is traditionally seen with naval-style brass buttons.
To avoid confusing the two styles any further, learn more about the differences between a jacket and a blazer; this way, you’ll avert any unbecoming fashion blunders, like showing up to your formal business meeting in a heavily patterned sport jacket and flannel trousers.
sport jacket
The sport jacket derives from the experimentation with sports clothes in the mid-nineteenth century. By the early twentieth century, men were seeking comfort and high fashion in their clothing, and turned to the ever-evolving sport jacket as a fashion-forward, casual answer to laidback social functions -- meaning, an afternoon at a stuffy gentleman’s club or while sitting on the sidelines of a tennis match.Today’s sport jacket, however, has a very different meaning as it can also be dressed down with a pair of jeans or chinos for more casual functions.
Odd jacket
Named after its lack of matching trousers, the odd jacket was known mostly as sporting-event and clubhouse attire. The odd jacket is also known for incorporating distinctive detailing like pleats, stitched belts and offbeat pockets into the ever-evolving design. The blazer is often described as a derivative of the odd jacket, although it incorporates enough differences to belong in a category all its own.The modern odd jacket can be found in offbeat fabrics, like this velvet one from Ted Baker or it can feature extra pockets or eccentric stitching or detailing.
Patterned sport jacket
The patterned sport jacket appeared after World War II to accommodate the business-casual lifestyle that men began leading. Incorporating bold patterns like Shetland stripes (seen on Ivy League campuses) and madras plaids (seen in colleges and country clubs), patterned sport jackets were a way for the fashion-conscious, modern man to avoid having his jacket embarrassingly mistaken for a suit jacket.If you’re looking to add a contemporary patterned sport jacket to your wardrobe, this Dolce & Gabbana brown houndstooth sport jacket is the way to go. It’s perfect for pairing with denim for a refined casual look.
blazer
By 1938, blazers were the fashionable odd jacket of choice for style connoisseurs. Originally a part of the English cricket club scene, the blazer was often striped and in club colors. This look eventually evolved to include brass buttons, single and double-breasted models, and a club badge on the breast pocket. Blazers are offered in a variety of styles with different detail options, including flap or patch pockets and peak or notch lapels. Depending on your blazer style of choice and what you pair it with, blazers are easier to dress down than sport jackets.
Nautical blazers
Navy-colored blazers adorned with brass buttons were predominant throughout the 1920s, and made a stylish sports outfit when paired with white pants. And due to their lightweight fabric, these nautical-inspired blazers were summer fashion sensations.Thanks to the British wave of fashion sweeping our North American streets, the traditional nautical blazer may still look trendy in the late spring or early summer, especially if you suit up with this D&G blazer.
Colored blazers
Blazers rightfully got their name because they were “blazed” with more color and bolder patterns than the refined sport jacket. Blazers weren’t only striped, but they also came in a variety of bright colors, like powder blue and purple, and started making their way into men’s weekend-wear wardrobes.Yves Saint Laurent knows how to do colored blazers right with this lavender wool rendition. Paired with denim, this blazer will make any fashion connoisseur look like he’s even more in the know.
modern-day dos and don’ts
- The bold patterns and heavy tweed fabric of the sport jacket make it inappropriate for business or formal wear. Pair it with denim or corduroy for more casual outings.
- If you’re going to wear a blazer, keep the breast pocket bare; don’t adorn it with a badge unless you wear your blazer for club purposes.
- Nowadays, traditional double-breasted, brass-buttoned nautical blazers are usually worn by older men (we’re talking the grandpa generation here). In other words: Don’t do it.
- Single-breasted blazers, whether navy or colored without the brass buttons, are modern and versatile as they can be dressed up with flannel trousers or dressed down with denim. And they can be accessorized with the most formal of ascots or the most basic of ties.
- Your only choice when attending a formal event, such as a business meeting or a wedding, is to disregard both the jacket and the blazer and wear a suit.
