What is really the difference between a suit, blazer and sports jacket?
Can my suit jacket be worn as a blazer jacket?
Can sports jackets and blazer jackets be interchanged?
The three classic menswear pieces all look alike to someone who knows little or nothing about them. To him, their functions are all the same.
A lot of sales personnel of these pieces cannot even tell the difference.
This write-up is to help you know better and be different from every other person who does not know anything about it.
The details that set them apart is what make a person better suited than another to an occasion. The difference between a blazer, a sports jacket and a suit can be better noted using this guide. This is to enlighten those who really cannot tell the differences between them apart.
The Suit jacket
The uniqueness of the suit jacket is that it always comes with a matching pair of trousers. The fabric of the suit jacket and its trousers are usually same fabric.
Matching up the jacket with its trousers is crucial as wearing the suit jacket alone as a blazer or a sports jacket can make it look more faded or washed compared to the trousers.This can cause a color difference that can make both unmatched.
The suit jacket among the three is the most formal.
It is the simplest of the three due to its formal nature devoid of extra details and fancy pockets.
Avoiding busy patterns when getting your first suit is best even though there are some stripped and checkered patterns that are pretty awesome. Plain navy blue, black, lighter gray and charcoal grey are better options.
Most recent suit jackets come with plastic buttons although higher end suits have the mother of pearl buttons or horn.
The Fit
Made to fit slimmer, a suit jacket is made to fit close to the body. It should be worn without multiple layers underneath it.
The Fabric
Solid colors are the fabrics used for most suit jackets even though checked or pinstripe are still possible to find.
The Function
Since the suit jacket is the most formal of the three items of clothing, the usually have notched lapels. There are times when peak lapels are used. Black tie tuxedos commonly come with a shawl and peak lapels.
The Blazer Jacket
The blazer is a little lower than the suit jacket. It is a different kind since compared to a sports jacket, it is more formal. The difference between the blazer and the suit jacket is that the blazer does not come with a matching trouser.
The Fit
Blazers are not tightly fitted or structured in the shoulder area like the suit jacket. Italian made blazers are more relaxed in build and looser.
The Fabric
There are mostly navy blue blazers in the market made in flannel, hopsack and blue worsted serge fabrics. Although, there are other rare colourful blazers out there like red and green ones but are not to be seen as the norm.
The Function
Being lower than the suit jacket makes it great to wear for both weekends and sporting events. Even though you still need to dress up, wearing a blazer any time a suit is not appropriate is always recommended.
The following items are great to pair up with a blazer: Corduroy pants, covered twill, chinos, grey flannel trousers, and even dark jeans.
The different types of buttons like the silver, gold or mother of pearl kinds on the blazer is another detail that sets it apart from the suit jacket.
Understanding the Sports Jacket
The sports jacket name sort of stuck to this jacket since it was originally the attire of sportsmen.
The Fitting
The fit of the sports jacket was affected by its original function. It was made loosely fit enough to allow underneath clothing like the sweater. It is for sure looser than a suit jacket.
The Fabric Used
Sturdier fabrics are used in making the sports jacket more ruggedly-looking than the blazer and suit. Donegal and hounds tooth which are both types of tweeds are the most frequently used fabric in making the sports jacket.
They can also be made from napped and rough textured fabrics. Sports jacket come in checked patterns and in the shades of green, blue, brown and gray.
Its Function
The original purpose of the sports jacket was to function as a sporting attire, therefore, the style details of arm patches, pleats and ticket pockets meant to serve different purposes make the rugged appearance unique.
It also comes with a sports lapel which can be totally closed to protect the neck and chest region.
Being the most casual of the three suits, the sports jacket is, therefore, unacceptable to wear it when a suit is appropriate.
Investing in a sports jacket should come after you have probably bought your first suit. Since it is less than the blazer, it can be worn to slightly dressy or casual occasions.
