Tuxedos  :: Mens Blazers and Mens Sport Coats

Mens Blazers and Mens Sport Coats

In USA Dress codes for Men, " that usually means a tie and at least a sport coat" - MENS USA

Blazer Dress Suit

A blazer is a long sleeved lightweight jacket having lapels. The cloth material used for blazer must be usually durable as it was earlier worn by sailors at sea. Blazer is commonly worn by students as sporting dress. The blazer is single breasted coat, closely related to a suit jacket. Generally, it differs from a suit jacket in that the buttons are usually metallic, and the outer material generally more durable. They occur most often in blue colors, but blazers of other colors are not unheard of. They are included often in uniforms of civilian bodies, such as airlines, boy's schools, yacht clubs, and private security organizations.

Looking at the classic blazer, the double-breasted blue one with brass buttons, the conclusion that the jacket is of military tradition is rather obvious. Most say the name stems from the HMS Blazer, a frigate, whose captain, when faced with a visit to his ship by Queen Victoria, decided to outfit his crew in short double breasted jackets in navy blue serge, with brass Royal Navy buttons. It is said to have been modeled after the reefer jacket of midshipmen. Apparently the Queen was so smitten with the "uniform" that it became the style. Today, the blazer remains navy blue with brass buttons, although variations can be had in black, tartan green or even red.

According to such explanation that relates to the origin of blazers were the scarlet jackets worn by the student members of Lady Margaret Boat Club in Cambridge. The bright red jackets were referred as �ablaze� on the water.

Materials used for Blazer

Blazer jackets were used as uniforms initially. This required sturdy material that does not wear off soon. The material for blazers was wool flannel. Other cloth materials like serge and polyester were used to make blazer jackets. In spite of other materials being used, flannel wool has been favorite material used for blazer.

It was designer Alfani, who made Italian style blazers. He crafted an ideal professional jacket fit to be worn in office. The blazer jacket was single breasted, three-button jackets made from finest wool giving a debonair look.

A Sport Coat

A sport coat is a tailored coat, similar in cut to a suit coat, but less restrictive, originally of a sturdy fabric for hunting and other outdoor sports.

Origin of Sport Coat

There are several explanations of its origin; some are apparently folk etymology. Two such are that the name could derive from the traditional practice of attaching a school's, regiments, club's, or ship's embroidered coat-of-arms to the breast of the coat - thus emblazoning the garment. Another is that the red summer jackets of the oarsmen of the Lady Margaret Boat Club, in Cambridge, look ablaze and began a tradition which today is seen in single breasted blazers at Henley Regatta.

However, much the most likely is that the name comes from that of HMS Blazer, a frigate from the days when ratings supplied their own rigs or the captain did it for them if he wanted uniform dress. Blazer's captain, when faced with an inspection of his ship by Queen Victoria, decided to rig his boats 'crews' in short double breasted jackets in navy blue serge, with brass Royal Navy buttons on the model of the reefer worn by the midshipmen of his day. It seems that the Queen was duly impressed by the uniform and it became the style.