Where To Start — Navy Blazers
Everyone everywhere will tell you that, as an adult man, navy blazers are a wardrobe staple. They’re versatile and they can be dressed up or down, alongside a slew of other fashion cliche you’ve already heard. There are reasons aplenty that every self-respecting adult man should own a well-fitted navy jacket.
While that’s all well and good, you’ve tried a few before and were underwhelmed by how they looked on you.
How could this highly touted wonder-garment fail to imbue you with the class and gravitas that was promised?
Well, the problem is that nothing’s ever so simple. While dressing sharply is hardly rocket science, there are a few tricks of the trade that will make you look more Dapper Dan than awkward office drone.
But don’t worry, this brief guide will help you find the best navy blazer to start with — one that will live up to the reputation that has made it such a staple of menswear.
Firstly, it can’t be your grandpas navy blazer. A structured double-breasted jacket with brass buttons is simply not wearable for the majority of modern men. Especially post-pandemic, we need a jacket that will elevate our presentation but without feeling stuffy or overdressed.
While this may have been a topic of debate prior to 2020, the rules have changed. Soft, unconstructed jackets are the way forward. They require less precision to get a clean shoulder fit, which is crucial in a jacket. Plus, they give off a more casual vibe, making them more versatile in turn.
Another key feature is patch pockets. Because these are more casual than flap pockets — which is reminiscent of a suit jacket — you’ll have a far easier time dressing down your navy if it has this pocket configuration.
And finally, texture really sets the tone. A smooth worsted wool is too formal and stuffy for the type of jacket you’d want to just throw on. Something with more visible texture adds a bit more dimension and versatility to a blazer — both of which you want!
So for where should a guy shop for his first navy blazer? Let’s check out the 3 best options.
Bonobos: Unconstructed Italian Wool Blazer
Lightweight, breathable, and easy to wear! This unconstructed blazer is perfect for any season AND is found at an accessible brand with highly-trained staff who can help you nail the fit.
Better yet, Bonobos has an intricate fitting system that accommodates a wide array of body types — which goes a long way in achieving a sharp fit off the rack and minimizes the amount of tailoring you may otherwise require.
Spier Mackay: Navy Stretch Hopsack
When it comes to classic menswear with a modern touch, Spier & Mackay leads the pack in terms of styling, quality, and value. The only downside is that they don’t have a physical presence beyond their flagship store in Ontario, Canada. However, their sizing is pretty straight forward and will be comparable to many in-person brands.
Their staple navy stretch hopsack jacket is a lot like the Bonobos counterpart, but with some added stretch. As the name implies.
Details such as the swelled edges and a canvas interlining make this piece a touch dressier — although it’s still wearable with anything from jeans to trousers.
Spier & Mackay: Navy Hopsack — Unstructured
Another great offering from Spier & Mackay is their unstructured hopsack blazer. This one is chock-full of sartorial details that are a major treat for menswear enthusiasts!
This jacket is incredibly lightweight and it wears like a sweater, yet has the presence of a blazer. Better yet, fine details such as triple patch pockets and its 3-roll-2 button stance will catch the eye of more seasoned sartorialists. If you know, you know.
Choose this jacket if you’re looking for an extra notch of easy-going sophistication and flair.
Uniqlo: Comfort Jacket (Wool-Like)
And finally, we have a great offering from Uniqlo for those on a tighter budget.
This blazer comes in a jersey knit fabric, which is extremely casual and approachable. Despite that, the styling and details are on point! Strong lapels and a high buttoning point allow this affordable option to hold its own with items on the list that are 5x the price.
On top of that, this piece is the most casual of our lineup and is easiest to wear in off-duty outfits. Like with a T shirt, if you’re into that kind of thing…
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with any of these options as long as you nail the fit. Since these all feature soft shoulders, that should be a manageable task. The rest is easy work for an alterations tailor — especially because all of the buttons are ornamental.
Oh, and now that you’ve been briefed on navy blazers, it’s worth noting that everybody in the know calls them sportcoats. Count yourself amongst them!
