Summer Blazers
C. Benjamin
One summer piece that doesn’t get the “essential” tag as much as it should is a good summer sportcoat. As much as some guys would hate to admit it, there are many events where a man should wear a jacket even though the temps are 90 degrees and up. From weddings to graduations, you never want to be “that dude” that looked sloppy on someone’s special day.There are lot of options in different materials out there. We are going to wade through some of the pros and cons of a few different types of summer sportcoats.**
Cotton
Nautica Cotton Twill Blazer
Cotton sportscoats are probably the most common summer jacket out there. From Old Navy to Prada, everyone has their take on the cotton jacket and for good reason: it’s classic, light, and inexpensive compared to other fabric options. They can come in a variety of colors, styles, and cuts. Navy and khaki are standards, but think outside the box and go for some color and/or pattern. Some cotton blazers are made so well that they are almost indistinguishable from wool jackets from a distance. They do tend to wrinkle easier than wool or silk and this can be a deal breaker for some.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to find
- Variety of style
Cons
- Wrinkles
- Very common
Linen
Howard Yount Linen Jacket
After cotton, linen is going to be the most common blazer for the summer. Made of loosely woven flax fibers, it has some of the same characteristics as cotton: cool, readily available, relatively inexpensive. Linen tends to be more expensive than cotton, but many brands offer inexpensive options if you choose to go that route. The biggest downside to linen is wrinkles: linen wrinkles easier than Greg Oden in a bath tub. The worse part about the wrinkles in linen is that they are much harder to get out than wrinkles in other fabrics and the delicate nature of linen makes it prone to breaking. The better the quality of your linen, the less likely you are to experience breakage, but it’s something to keep in mind. Also, linen is strictly for the summer time. Come fall, linen jackets look very out of place
Pros
- Easy to find
- Variety
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Wrinkles
- Breakage
- Only wearable during summer
Wool
Tallia Orange Wool/Silk Blazer
Good ol’ wool. It is the staple fabric for men’s suiting. While many wool suiting options are too warm to wear during warmer months, the upside is that there are lighter weaves, such as tropical wool. Depending on the look of the jacket, summer wool jackets can be worn later into the fall than cotton or linen can. There are so many styles of wool summer blazers that it can be overwhelming for the feint of heart. Wool can be blended with other materials, such as cotton or silk, to make it lighter and more seasonally appropriate. There is a wide range in price for wool; the price is determined by the quality of the wool and if it is blended with anything.
Pros
- Versatility
- Range of styles
- 3 seasons wear
Cons
- Warmer than cotton/linen
- More expensive
Cashmere
J. Crew Legacy Cashmere Blazer
Cashmere is known for its luxurious feel while being extremely light. Cashmere is more expensive than wool, cotton, or linen but for good reason: you can keep the look of a 100% wool blazer in the summer time without feeling like you have irons pressing on your back. There generally aren’t as many different styles of cashmere summer jackets outside of your major luxury brands. Sometimes you can catch a deal on one, which is always a good thing. A good cashmere blazer is certainly something that can set you apart from the crowd.
Pros
- Luxurious
- Refined
- At least 3 seasons wear
Cons
- Pricey
- Harder to find
- Warmer than other options
** The pros and cons outlined are in reference to the general category of blazer, not necessarily the individual products featured in this post.
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