Navy Blazer Question

[Talltexan]

Howdy y'all!

I would like some help selecting a navy blazer. I have found two blazers that I like but I am not sure which is the better quality blazer in terms of material, brand etc. Below are the links and would appreciate any advice you all could offer. I wear a 60 R. Or if you know of a great place to purchase a navy blazer in my size please let me know.

http://www.josbankbigandtall.com/menswear/shop/Product_11502_11050_229024


http://casual-male-big-and-tall.des...cl4357&navAction=push&navCount=0#ReviewHeader



All the Best,

Jerry

 

[Doc4]

I note that the Lauren Ralph Lauren (ed: he thinks he's Bond James Bond ... *sigh*) is described as "portly" ... so ... made for fat guys. If you are more bean pole than giant bowling ball, I'd avoid. Otherwise, the stretch fabric might be an added selling point.

 

[Shoe City Thinker]

If you want a "buy it for life" blazer, Brooks Brothers is the way to go. They have a made-to-measure program that will accommodate your size.

 

[Doc4]

There are some rather 'well established' ground rules for getting a classic Navy blazer that will look great and last a long time;

1) If you can, try and get one made of Tropical Wool - it will last longer and look smarter,

4) Sleeve buttons should work. You'll find that many inexpensive blazers have sleeve buttons that actually doesn't button into holes but are rather just sewn on for 'decoration'. That's unfortunately not what you want if you want real quality. Always ask if not sure.

Good luck

I'm gonna disagree with these two.

Working buttonholes are not necessary. When's the last time you saw someone need to unbutton the sleeves of his blazer? In decades past, they were a "mark" of the quality suit, because a bespoke suit was (and is) usually made with working buttonholes ... but machine/factory made suits never had working buttonholes. Now, with advances in suitmaking machinery (and/or Bangladeshi labour) anyone can buy a suit with working buttonholes. It has become a gimmick that sellers of third-rate suits use to fluff up the value of their product which they get all excited about like it's the "mark of quality" or something; it's like sticking a Rolls-Royce hood ornament on a Honda Civic.

By "tropical wool" I assume you to mean a "tropical weight" cloth such as a worsted. What makes it qualify as "tropical" is it's thinner and thus presumably will not provide so much insulation in tropical climates. A tropical worsted will crease very easily and provides nothing more than decent durability. A heavier/thicker worsted would be a better choice, or a fresco (lightweight wool with tight twist yarn woven loosely) or linen for summer/warmer climates.

(This raises a good issue, though, about choosing the right material for the blazer ... warm enough or cool enough to meet it's expected duties.)

 

[Doc4]

3) Make sure it fits. No really, this is probably THE most important thing. Now, we can't all afford to go and drop 1,500+ on a made-to-measure blazer but what you CAN do is to take your recent purchase in to a tailor and have it looked over and altered to really fit your body. It makes a world a difference to wear something that really fits you well - regardless of what size you are. Personally I think it looks worse when a jacket is too large than too small. So if need be - do have it adjusted

With this, however, I can wholeheartedly agree.

 

[Talltexan]

I ordered a navy blazer from suitsseperates.com and at $174.00 and made in the USA it was a horrible fit. The sleeves were too long and the arm holes too high. Plus the jacket itself was too large. Any other suggestions? I would gladly pay more