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Sportcoat vs. Blazer vs. Suit Jacket

When we were younger, our wardrobes were simpler. However, as adults, our clothing is more sophisticated, and the way we understand and classify our attire should follow suit. The ability to distinguish various articles of clothing might not seem particularly important, but it will make your shopping experiences easier and you'll never be improperly dressed for an event.

Typically when we talk about clothing, we use terms interchangeably and occasionally incorrectly. For example, we say "chinos" when we mean "khakis". Or, we refer to any shirt with buttons as a "button-down," even though this designation is specific to shirts with buttons on the collar.

Three other articles of clothing that are often mistaken for one another are sport coats, blazers, and suit jackets.

The sportcoat, the least formal of the trio, is derived from old tweed coats that were traditionally worn when hunting or participating in other "sporting" activities. A bit sturdier than the blazer and suit jacket, a sportscoat retains aspects influenced by its rustic predecessor, even in contemporary fashion. Also, sportcoats are frequently patterned and feature more eye-catching designs.

Blazers, however, are dressier than sportcoats but not as formal as suit jackets. Traditionally, a blazer is wool, blue with a pocket, and has distinct silver or gold buttons. However, this "tradition" has receded over time, with men opting for cotton varieties and blazers without the customary buttons.

Lastly, the suit jacket, the dressiest of the three, is made from finer wool - with a few summer versions made from cotton or linen - and is accompanied by matching pants. Even if the suit jacket is sold as a suit separate, it's still intended to be purchased and worn with the accompanying pants.

Remember a casual jacket that isn't navy blue and doesn't have buttons could be a sport coat or a blazer. If it's blue with buttons, it's a blazer - non-negotiable. If it's made of nice fabric and has matching pants, it's a suit jacket.

These jackets can all be worn with denim or khakis, as long as the colors and fabrics complement each other. However, a suit jacket should only be worn with the appropriate dress pants.

Despite their differences, sport coats, blazers, and suit jackets are all great additions to a wardrobe, and when styled properly can help achieve a casual yet dapper look!