Table of Content
Suit Jackets, Blazers, and Sports Jackets…
These three verbs are used by many men, but most of them cannot differentiate them! But don’t feel bad about it; even clothing stores don’t get it!
So what is the difference between both of them? Stay tuned to find out.
Sports Jacket vs Blazer vs Suit
To understand all three and what sets each jacket apart, we’re going to go in-depth about each one. We’ll start by defining what each jacket is and then go more in-depth into the different details.
You’ll learn about each jacket’s:
- Fit
- Fabric
- The Most Common Colors
- Types of each jacket
- And what to pair it with.
And with that knowledge, you should be an expert at it, and you’ll know which one to pick for the right occasion.
Sports Jacket
Sports Jacket is the most casual out of the three! As the name suggests, these jackets were initially used for sporting situations. These included hunting, fishing, and others. But now it’s a part of every stylish man’s wardrobe!
The Fit
Since these jackets are the most casual ones out there, they usually come with a looser fit. That means it has less structure and no shoulder padding. And with the added looseness, you can more easily wear other things under it like V-neck sweaters.
The Fabric
In terms of fabrics, there is an endless amount. You can find these jackets with materials that fit any season; it doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter. So, for example, you could get flannel-, tweed-, linen-, and cotton sports jackets.
The Colours
Just like with the materials, sports jackets also come in many different colours. These can be bold like bright yellow or red to more subtle colours like navy blue and charcoal grey.
Types of Sports Jackets
There are two main types of Sports Jackets:
- The first one is a single-breasted sports jacket. With it, you have only one set of buttons. There could be anything from one to three buttons.
- After that, you have the double-breasted sports jacket. This jacket has two sets of buttons. Each set has anything from two to three buttons.
Matching the Sports Jacket
But how do you pair this jacket? Fortunately, this jacket can be paired with almost anything. For example, you can wear it with wool trousers or for more casual looks, you can pick your usual jeans.
Blazer
This jacket, in terms of formality, is between the suit jacket and sports jacket. However, identifying the blazer is a bit more complicated than the other ones. This jacket needs to check off the following specifications.
The Fit
First, let’s talk about the fit. This jacket is a bit tighter than the sports jacket. However, mostly they are less restricting. That means they have very little to no structure.
The Fabric
But what’s more important is the fabrics these jackets use. They are usually made out of cotton, Raymond, and tweed. These fabrics give it a more glossy and formal look which sets it apart from the sports jacket.
The Colours
Next up are the colours, which are essential to know. Most blazers are either black or navy blue. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t come in bolder colours.
For example, you could find them in many brighter colours like bright blue and red. Additionally, there are also multicoloured ones called regatta blazers.
But that’s not all about colours. The colour of its buttons is critical as well. The buttons usually come in gold, silver, *X* and always contrast the fabric colour.
Types of Blazers
There are many versions of blazers out there.
- First, there are the solid colour blazers. As the name suggests, these are jackets that only have one colour.
- The second version is the contrasting piping blazer. These jackets have a contrasting lining around the fabric.
- Next up is stripe blazers. These formal jackets have stripes on the fabric.
- And lastly, we have the Regatta blazers. As I mentioned above, these blazers are multicoloured ones and usually come with stripes. For example, you could find them with blue and red lines.
Matching Blazers
But how do you match those jackets with an outfit? Well, for blazers, I’d recommend you to style them as you do with sports jackets. You can wear almost any type of trousers, including jeans. But in my opinion, I’d have to say a nice pair of wool trousers look best on it.
Suit Jacket
And lastly, let’s talk about the suit jacket. Fortunately, this type is relatively easy to differentiate. A suit jacket is a clothing item that comes together with a suit. That means it’s made of the same material as your suit pants. However, that isn’t the only difference. They are also built a bit differently.
The Fit
The most distinctive part is the fit. They are well structured and have a slim fit. Additionally, you’ll find them with shoulder padding.
The Fabric
Next up is the fabric. With a suit jacket, you get the best materials out there. Most of them are made out of smooth worsted wool, but you can also find them made from silk, velvet, cashmere, and linen.
The Colours
Unlike other jackets on this list, most suit jackets come in very neutral colours. The most popular ones out there are black, navy blue, and charcoal grey. But if you look for a bit longer, you could find some bolder ones like red, brown, or green, but those colours are usually neutral.
Types of Suit Jackets
So what types of suit jackets are out there. Well, there are quite a few.
- First, let’s talk about the classic single-breasted jacket. These jackets have a set of buttons in the middle. Most of them have two buttons, but there are also ones with just one or even three buttons.
- Next up is the double-breasted suit jackets. These suit jackets are the same as the last ones on the list, but with one key distinction. They have two sets of buttons. Each line of buttons can have either two or three of them.
- And lastly, let’s talk about the tuxedo suit jackets. As the name suggests, these jackets come with a tuxedo. They are different from your ordinary suit jacket due to having satin details. These include the distinctive satin suit collar.
Matching With Suit Jacket
But how can you match this jacket? Well, the best way to do it is with the suit it came with. That keeps the jacket from having a different colour to your suit pants. However, if you want to use it in other outfits, then you could mix and match it with another pair of suit pants. This could give you a pretty new and attractive look.
Conclusion
And those are the differences between the three jackets. We hope that you understand everything, and you can now quickly identify each one. However, if there’s something that you didn’t get, then don’t be afraid to ask questions in the comments. We’re here to help you!
FAQ
Q: Do you wear a sport coat or blazer with jeans?
A: It doesn’t matter which one you choose! Both can look great. However, a suit jacket shouldn’t be worn with denim.
Q: Can a sports jacket be formal?
A:While they might be the least formal on the list, you could wear them formally. They work especially great for office, and weddings. However, for most formal events, you shouldn’t wear one.
Q: Can you wear a suit jacket as a blazer?
A: You could do anything you want, but it’s not recommended. That’s because your top and bottom could look weird (the top one is formal while the bottom is casual).
Q: Is the blazer formal or casual?
A:It’s both! All that depends on how you match it. For example, it would be considered formal if you match it with some wool trousers and a dress shirt. And when you dress it with some jeans and a t-shirt, you’re more casual.
